The Prusa MK4 might be the fastest and most efficient 3D printer out there
Prusa Research launched the highly anticipated Original Prusa MK4 3D Printer. It promises high-speed printing and ease-of-use.
The MK4 is more that an updated version of the MK3 (despite similar looks), as 90% of the machine is brand new. It also offers a wide range of features and improvements.
Prusa believes this makes the printer one of the most reliable and fastest on the market.
Original Prusa MK4
In a call with Josef Průša, I asked why the company had decided to stick with the iconic design of the Original PRUSA’s that had come before.
It was easy to answer. The Original Prusa customer base has a loyal following, so cutting off development is not an option. Especially since the MK4 is capable of competing with Core XY machines in terms of speed and reliability. The PRUSA model must include a clear upgrade path and ensure that the open-source community continues to be maintained.
The MK4 machine looks familiar but the upgrades improve almost every aspect and technology. The MK3’s original metal frame, made from sheet metal, has been replaced by an aluminum composite, injection molded frame. This provides more rigidity.
Specifications
Increase Volume: 250 x 210 x 220 mm | 9.84 x 8.3 x 8.6 in
Filament diameter: > 1.75 mm
Layer height: 0.05-0.30 mm
Mainboard: Custom 32-bit xBuddy electronics with STM32
Stepper Drivers: Trinamic 2130
Stepper motors: Precise 0.9° X, Y stepper motors (prevents VFA)
Extruder: Nextruder, Direct Drive, E3D V6 compatible (with adapter)
Drive system Nextruder Planetary Gear System – 10:1 ratio gearbox
Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm (default) / other nozzle diameters supported
Max nozzle temperature: 300 °C / 572 °F
Max heatbed temperature: 120 °C / 248 °F
LCD screen: 3.5″ graphic 65k colour screen
Connectivity: LAN, Optional ESP wifi module (delivered with the printer)
Print medium: USB drive / LAN / internet via Prusa Connect
Advanced: Filament sensor, Loadcell sensor, Power panic, 4 high-precision thermistors (genuine Semitec) + fan motors RPM monitoring
Print surface: Magnetic heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets
Calibration of the bed: Automatic, Mesh Bed Leveling (only on print area)
Supported materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, HIPS, PA, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB, NGEN, composites, and more
Dimensions of the printer without a spool: 7 kg, 500×550×400 mm; 19.6×21.6×15.7 in (X×Y×Z)
Consumption of power PLA settings: 80W, ABS settings: 120W
One of the most significant upgrades is the high-speed extruder. This allows for faster printing speeds, while still producing high-quality prints. This extruder can be used with many filaments including PETG, ABS, and PLA.
PRUSA Research developed this new print head. Based on Nextruder’s first appearance on the XL printer, the smaller version now features quick-swap nozzles.
The Load Cell sensor’s new fully automated first layer calibration is what many consider to be the most innovative feature. The probe will automatically adjust the first layer height regardless of whether you use a standard E3D V6 nozzle (with an adapter). The need to adjust the Z-axis finely should be gone.
The upgraded connections options with wifi and ethernet are another feature that many users will love. This will mean that there won’t be any more toggling between the machine and production iterations to update or load files.
New print beds have a new surface texture which improves adhesion. There is a wide range of materials that are compatible with the MK4’s standard nozzles. However, specialist nozzles can also be fitted using the quick swap system. The MK4 also features a new filament sensor, which detects when filament is low and automatically stops the print. This allows users to swap filaments easily without having to start the entire print job again.
Prusa research has also improved the firmware of the printer to the next generation. Prusa Research fully used the 32XBuddy control boards, which now include advanced thermal runaway protection as well as automatic skew-axis calibration. This allows the printer to operate safely and efficiently with minimal manual intervention.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the MK4’s commitment to open-source principles is its dedication. Prusa Research has a rich heritage in open-source and is dedicated keeping its printers open and available to everyone.
Open source backing
A recent blog post (opens new tab)Prusa spoke out about open source and 3D printing, as well as his concerns over the state of open-source development.
He wrote, “We stand behind our roots in open source and will continue doing so.” Our desktop 3D printers will remain open-source. We will continue to publish plastic parts and source codes for firmware.
Prusa Research’s dedication to open-source is evident in Prusa’s MK4, which includes models of all parts and firmware sources. The electronics plans are not yet available, but Prusa Research indicated it would release them under a new license to address some issues in open-source development.
The Original Prusa MK4 3D printer is a great addition to the existing Prusa MK3 line. It also offers many new features and improvements. This printer is open-source friendly and can be used by hobbyists, professionals, and makers alike.