Alunar 3d desktop printer prusa i3 review

First things first, this machine doesn't look too different from the old MK2 or even from many other i3 printers. Why is this design so popular? Because it is printer open source! Prusa has always published all design files for its machines, including the very first i3 that spawned thousands of derivative printers.

So yes, everything on this printer, from the frame, which of course is still just a metal frame, to the electronics and sensor boards, down to the firmware and improved slicer, everything now published on Github is licensed from open source, available to any person or company to use or modify their own products or projects. And it's just fantastic. nine0015

After taking a closer look at our original Prusa i3 MK3 review, let's take a closer look at its features. This block is presented as a refinement of everything Prusa Research has achieved to date; it's more than just a reliability upgrade, but a new and improved desktop 3D printer with innovative technology.

Where previous models offered amazing print quality at a low price, the Prusa i3 MK3 aims to make FFF technology more intuitive and simple than before, with multiple sensors to alert users to potential problems and prevent failed prints. nine0015

There's more to say here, but let's summarize these new features:

• Filament Sensor
• Power Panic
• Speed ​​sensitive fans and quieter cooling Noctua
• Ambient thermistor and PINDA 2 with thermistor
• EINSY RAMBo motherboard
• Trinamic2130 drivers with layer offset detection, fast and quiet printing
• New Y-axis
• Bondtech extruder
nine0061 Magnetic Cotton MK52
• Powder Coated PEI Spring Steel Printing Sheet
• OctoPrint

Filament sensor uses an optical filament sensor to detect the presence and movement of a filament. This provides advance warning of when the filament is about to run out and the machine can pause printing and prompt the user to insert a new spool. It can also detect a stuck filament and recommend a "cold pull" to clear the nozzle and continue printing. nine0015

Other upgrades are Power Panic, where the Prusa i3 MK3 can recover and resume a print job after a power loss, and the new EINSY RAMBo motherboard, which is considered the most advanced 3D printer board for currently. How advanced is it? For example, it can monitor power, which allows it to detect blown fuses. On the other hand, it features Trinamic drivers which are very fast, quiet and can detect (and correct) layer misalignment during printing. nine0015

Elsewhere, the original Prusa i3 MK3 has a redesigned Y-axis for frame stiffness and an additional 10mm build volume at the Z-height. And there is an upgraded Bondtech drive extruder that grabs the filament from both sides to increase the pushing force of the filament and make it more reliable (especially for flexible filaments).

But perhaps the most obvious highlight of the Prusa i3 MK3 is the new MK52 magnetic heating plate that holds removable spring alloy steel sheets coated with PEI powder. When the sheet cools, it can be removed by simply bending the sheet inwards. nine0015

Whether you bought the Original Prusa i3 MK3 assembled or as a kit, the included 3D Printing Manual is a vital reference for your new 3D Printer. It contains all the necessary information about setup, calibration, printer materials and other frequently asked questions.

The steps for setting up and calibrating the machine are described in the assembly diagram below. But for advanced customization, we'd like to take a closer look at the three big benefits of the Prusa i3 MK3; panic sensor, crash detection and filament supply. nine0015

Testing these parameters on a regular 3D printer would be somewhat risky, perhaps even dangerous. Therefore, we do not recommend doing this on any machine other than the Prusa i3 MK3.

For the panic function, we connected it to a normal power supply with an on/off switch. We have started printing a model of Buddy, Prusa's pet. After about 20 minutes, we flipped the switch and waited 30 seconds before turning it back on.

And so, the Prusa i3 MK3 immediately detected a power failure and resumed printing exactly where it left off. Impressive! nine0015

Oh yes, software. Any review of the original Prusa i3 MK3 would not be complete without discussing the software.

Simply put, users have many options when it comes to slicing their objects for printing.

The first and easiest option is PrusaControl . This is a simplified interface for coating your models. Select a thread from the list of presets, change the scale, orientation, line height and padding, and then generate your G-code. nine0015

This is a very good and efficient solution and is the software we used for most of the objects printed for this Prusa i3 MK3 review. The only downsides we could see were that if your requirements were a bit more complex then you should use something else.

For example, printing a chromatic vase requires a special "vase mode" that is standard in most other slicer software. Without it, you will end up printing a solid object that won't accept the flower no matter how hard you try. You won't find this in PrusaControl, which is a curious omission. nine0015

Instead, we turned to the second, more complex option; Prusa3D Slic3r MK3. This open source slicing software definitely has a vase mode. In fact, it has one hundred and one modes to turn it on and off, and it can be a little tricky for absolute beginners. But in fact it is the same platform as the PrusaControl, except for the stabilizer wheels.

For the third option, we tested printing on a Prusa i3 MK3 using a paid software slicer such as Simplify3D. It works pretty well; it already has the required printer profile and it might be more useful if you are experimenting with custom supports. nine0015

The temptation is strong to win the Original Prusa i3 MK3 review with a perfect score of 10. This is simply the best kit for the 3D printer money can buy. It's quiet, fast, and pleasant to use.

And its technological prowess is such that it will easily surpass the 3D printer three times the price. The crash detection and panic feature are great ideas that all 3D printers should offer as standard settings. And the removable print bed is something we didn't know we needed. nine0015

But we have to be objective in this Original Prusa i3 MK3 review, and there are one or two small issues holding it back. The main problem is that the filament sensor getting into the translucent filaments undermines our confidence in its operation.

Of course, this is an additional option and, of course, it does not prevent the printer from producing quality objects. And we fully expect the issue to be fixed in future production runs. But here and now, a mistake is a mistake and should not be discounted. nine0015

Are there viable alternatives to the Original Prusa i3 MK3? At this price and feature set, it would be pointless to even try. This 3D printer can be bought if you are looking for a low cost, sophisticated and market leading fused filament making machine.

Review Prusa i3 Steel V2 by 3DiY

Choice

The idea to buy a new printer appeared quite a long time ago, because the troubles with delta calibration and the small area of ​​​​the table did not allow to realize the most interesting ideas. Various souvenirs and small technical equipment are excellent, but parts with large flat surfaces are not always. There was an idea to once again send the printer for modernization, only the cost of repair with modernization named by technical support was close to the cost of the printer itself, but, unfortunately, it did not affect the size of the table ...

The main requirements when choosing a new printer were the "classic" coordinate system and ease of self-repair.

At the end of 2019, I purchased a used BiZon Prusa i3 Steel version 1 to get familiar with the construction of Prusa i3 printers.

In general, I liked the design. The frame is very strong, the components are standard and easily accessible. But a lot of little things, such as a printed extruder mechanism, Phillips screws, inconvenient stage adjustment, studs on the Z axis and linear bearings fixed with cable ties spoiled the impression...

After almost a year of using it, I decided to buy an updated version of the printer - Prusa i3 Steel V2. I learned most of the information about the new version from a wonderful review from Anatoly Yunakh. Taking into account the shortcomings that I encountered in the first version of BiZon, I asked to assemble a new printer immediately in an improved configuration, as well as with some assembly features. The 3DiY manager agreed, for which many thanks to him!

Unpacking

The printer is packed in a large carton. I asked to better wrap it with a film to protect it from rain. In addition, Business Lines used additional packaging when transporting between terminals. nine0015

The printer just sits in the box, but wrapped very well! Although, it would be nice to make a lodgment from foamed polyethylene.

Package

In addition to the box with the package, they sent me a gift PLA spool, which I did not expect when ordering a printer with changes ... A pleasant surprise!

In my case, this is black PLA Ecofil.

Box contents:

• Mirror.
• Power cord.
• USB cable.
• Clips for mirror.
• Probe 0.2 mm thick.
• Replacement driver A4988.
• Spool holder.

Choice of components from the list of possible improvements

• 32-bit SKR v1.3 board. I chose it largely because of the ease of updating the firmware.
• TMC2208 drivers on X, Y and Z axes. I would choose 2209 for all axes and extruder, but at that time they were not in the catalog...
• Thread end sensor. A very necessary thing!
• Trapezoidal screws Ø 8 mm (instead of default 5 mm).
• Double sided airflow.
• New screen with a beautiful handle.

Assembly Features

• Allen screws and washers were used in the assembly so that the screws do not damage the paint.
• X and Z axis bearings mounted with lubrication holes facing out. Moreover, the assembler even installed valves for lubrication (except for the lower X-axis bearing, otherwise the valve would hit the table). nine0062
• The wires to the heater and thermistor are in one braid, and the wires to the fans are in another.

Z axis bearing with valve and acme screw...

Same on the other side. By the way, the screw entering the slot of the optical limit switch dangled a little and I replaced it with such a design...

By the way, the washers are installed with their smooth side to the frame so that the sharp edges do not damage the paint.

Rear-side view. nine0015

First run

After adjusting the gap in the corners, loading the plastic and applying glue to the mirror, I printed a small test model that was on the SD card. With the TMC2208 drivers, the printer works so quietly that I went up several times to check if it prints...

Result...

It's not clear why a mouse was recorded as a test model, and even not with the most beautiful settings ... Later, for the sake of interest, I sliced ​​it in Cura Arachne engine beta and printed it in normal quality ...

Small problem

The test model was successfully printed and it would seem, what could be wrong? And during the next calibration, when I checked the gap not only in the corners, a noticeable bump was found in the middle of the left side of the table, and no matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to achieve the same gap over the entire area. The mirror did not solve the problem. ..

I decided to contact technical support with a request to send a modified firmware with 25 calibration points. Sent very quickly! Having set up the table in this way a couple of times, I asked to reduce the gap setting step from 0.025 to 0.01 mm. The problem was solved! nine0015

Print

Impressions

Great design! Much better than the first version! It's great that 3DiY can assemble the printer with modifications and configure the firmware at the request of the user.

Cons: I got an uneven table. Perhaps it's just a coincidence..

Wishes for the following printers:

1. I would like to see a board with connectors for hotend, thermistor, fans and a stepper motor on the carriage! This will greatly simplify the replacement of fans and maintenance of the extruder. You can use BLK boards like on UNI printers. nine0015

2. I propose to install 4 quiet drivers by default, completely abandoning the A4988.

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