Prusa i3 MK3S

[peteski]

Sweet!
Mark, do you use CAD professionally, or just for hobbies?

[Mark W]

Sweet!
Mark, do you use CAD professionally, or just for hobbies?

I used to be in 3D Animation and VFX.  Now it's just for fun. 

[peteski]

I used to be in 3D Animation and VFX.  Now it's just for fun.

I see. So you do have some professional 3D design experience. Makes it easier to dive into 3D CAD.   

[Mark W]

Ok, the Prusa i3 MK3S has been alive for almost 2 weeks and I am REALLY loving this thing already!

My initial goal is to print Wind Turbine blades, but as mentioned I ended up taking a quick detour with what I've named "Tidy Terminals"; color coded PowerPole ends to secure loose bus ends for module transport.


When paired with a screw-mount zip tie, it's the perfect way to secure bus wires.  The zip secures the bus to the module.


https://i.imgur.com/ZcSomtK.jpg


And the plug secures the ends during transport!


https://i.imgur.com/SOGo81z.jpg


Free-moN just needs the track (red) and accessory (black).


https://i.imgur.com/pe9kInq.jpg


Free-mo HO added a DCC common (green).


https://i.imgur.com/YOr57s6.jpg

[Chris333]

Can you buy gummie filament and print more bears?

[learmoia]

Cool!!.....

Was there a reason that Green has a base that surrounds the other 2, vs a raised tab to fit over red and black?..

Seems like more print volume than it needs to be.

~Ian

[Mark W]

Yes, I wanted to keep the base of each part flat on the print bed.   In my first test, I printed the second part with an elevated base which required supports.  Since I'm still learning the way of FDM, the elevated base turned out quite messy.   


https://i.imgur.com/6piQufG.jpg


I got some more time to experiment, starting with the 3mm Unijoiner.  This one works in resin, but because UV resin is so brittle they were basically one time use.  Now in PLA, they have strength too!  The joiners were printed in 'speed' mode. Thick layers and fast movements. 


https://i.imgur.com/bWbzaC1.jpg

Next, I finally got to test the wind turbine blades!  (Or as literally everyone at shows call them "Wind Propellers"  )
For these I tested 'ultra detail' mode.  Thin layers and slow steady movement.


https://i.imgur.com/TFsxUUZ.jpg


Well I must say I am very surprised, especially in the surface finish.  On top is my PLA print with the Prusa, on the bottom is the Shapewas print in Laser Sintered Nylon. Guess how many times more expensive the Shapeways print is?


https://i.imgur.com/IUEhlob.jpg


Let's zoom in.  FDM is known for clearly visible layer lines, right?   

Where?!  The width on the blade tip before it tapers to a point is 2.75mm.  Those layers are microscopic!


https://i.imgur.com/KOpfQmA.jpg

[Mark W]

Here's some more goodies from the Prusa i3 MK3S. 

I had a few loconet panels with the sticker cover peeling and in tatters, so I decided to replace the whole plate with a custom print.  Here's a UR92 panel.
The text and artwork are essentially embossed, then I used paint pens for color.  There is an upgrade kit for the printer that would allow me to print up to 5 colors directly.  Just putting that out there in case Santa is listening. 


https://i.imgur.com/ccuFsLm.jpg


I saw this in a build video for something somewhere. The guy had an assembly tray with a compartment for each piece, positioned roughly in the way the parts come together.  I decided to make one for locomotive maintenance; presenting the N Scale Locomotive Assembly Tray.   I think a lot of folks might find one of these very useful!  Every piece of a typical Kato style mechanism has it's own compartment.  Not only does this help keep parts from sneaking away, but you no longer have to keep track of where or which side the mechanism the part came from.


https://i.imgur.com/OTKCgOZ.jpg

[mu26aeh]

I shared this photo with a group of my friends, a few asked about price and availability.  So there's interest out there if you want to add these to your lineup.

[AlwaysSolutions]

That's awesome, Mark.  I like the idea of showcasing what the FDM printers CAN do for us as opposed to what they can't do.  There are a lot of useful things you can print with an FDM printer.  The resin printers are king of the hill for the actual modelling, but having an FDM companion makes a lot of sense.  Slightly ashamed to admit this, as I was going to spoil myself by getting the i3 MK3, but I bought an Ender 3 on sale the other day, hoping to mod the heck out of it to see if I can come close the Prusa quality.  My old 2014 PrintrBot Simple Metal just isn't up to task but these newer printer designs are so much better.  Since the PrintrBot has auto-mesh leveling, that will probably one of the first mods I'll do to the Ender 3 with a BLTouch probe.  I hope to not spend more than 500 total, including the cost of the printer to make the project worth the effort.  We'll see how that goes!

Cheers -Mike

[Mark W]

I shared this photo with a group of my friends, a few asked about price and availability.  So there's interest out there if you want to add these to your lineup.

Thanks Adam.  Yes, I shared on Facebook too and have been getting messages non-stop for the past few hours!  I'm going to finalize details and start production asap. 



Mike, the Ender 3 was my original pick for testing the waters in FDM.  Cheap and proven.  But then the deciding factor for me was the direct feed vs bowden tube extruder, and that the Prusa kept dominating recent reviews.  And of course who could resist those gummys?
I'll look forward to following along with your adventure too!

[reinhardtjh]

 @Mark W

It's nearly a year since the last post.  I'm curious how you feel about the Prusa now.

  Is it still doing what you want?
  Has it held up?
  Do you still use it much or did you migrate somewhere else?
  If you were buying today would you still make the same choice?

[Mark W]

Hi @reinhardtjh great questions!

Is it still doing what you want?
Yes, and more!

Has it held up?
Yes, I've only had 3 issues.  All of them are consumable parts that wore out; a linear bearing and 2 nozzles.  These should all be part of regular maintenance, unfortunately I messed up in replacing the second nozzle and now I'm waiting for a whole new hot-end to arrive.

Do you still use it much or did you migrate somewhere else?
Before the hot-end broke, I was printing constantly.  I think I've gone through just under 30 spools of filament; about 60 pounds worth!

If you were buying today would you still make the same choice?
Absolutely!  If 2020 hadn't been 2020, I'd probably have two by now!

A see most of the different things I've designed are already shown in this thread.  But the most printed item, by far, is the leg pockets.  About 90% of everything I've printed are leg pockets!  They're cheap, durable, easy to install, and fast!  Using the 3D printed pockets with EMT conduit legs cut our set-up and tear-down time in half, if not more.

   
https://i.imgur.com/pbg1qAd.jpg                              https://i.imgur.com/DjJGzAI.jpg

Amazingly, I'm still not finished converting all of my modules!  But most of them are now using this style.


https://i.imgur.com/2aTnf2u.jpg



The most exciting thing I've printed so far is definitely the CB&Q Bridge over the Missouri river at Plattsmouth (in N scale of course)!


https://i.imgur.com/dbEP18w.jpg 


The bridge scale bridge is 8 and a half feet long, complete with full 400ft (2.5ft) span!  It is 100% 3D printed, not including track of course, and aside from 10 machine screws, everything snaps together.  No glue. 


https://i.imgur.com/AZJSAWT.jpg

Once the new hot-end arrives and is installed, I plan to begin working on the 2nd bridge at Plattsmouth!

[reinhardtjh]

Hi @reinhardtjh great questions!

Is it still doing what you want?
Yes, and more!

Has it held up?
Yes, I've only had 3 issues.  All of them are consumable parts that wore out; a linear bearing and 2 nozzles.  These should all be part of regular maintenance, unfortunately I messed up in replacing the second nozzle and now I'm waiting for a whole new hot-end to arrive.

Do you still use it much or did you migrate somewhere else?
Before the hot-end broke, I was printing constantly.  I think I've gone through just under 30 spools of filament; about 60 pounds worth!

If you were buying today would you still make the same choice?
Absolutely!  If 2020 hadn't been 2020, I'd probably have two by now!

A see most of the different things I've designed are already shown in this thread.  But the most printed item, by far, is the leg pockets.  About 90% of everything I've printed are leg pockets!  They're cheap, durable, easy to install, and fast!  Using the 3D printed pockets with EMT conduit legs cut our set-up and tear-down time in half, if not more.

Hi Mark!  I'm glad to see your answers because my Prusa i3 MK3s+ arrived Monday!  Ordered on Nov 19th, shipped Nov 26th, arrived the 30th.  I just placed an order for a couple of spools of filament and some .25 and .4 nozzles.  I have to find a place to put it and get it assembled.

[dem34]

Has it held up?
Yes, I've only had 3 issues.  All of them are consumable parts that wore out; a linear bearing and 2 nozzles.  These should all be part of regular maintenance, unfortunately I messed up in replacing the second nozzle and now I'm waiting for a whole new hot-end to arrive.

Good to know I'm not the only hotend destroyer out there.