New Printer Model: The Original Prusa i3 MK3S / MK2.5S

The MK3S and MMU2s are now updated and Prusa thanks all of the customers who completed a survey, helping to improve the products.

So, what‘s new in the MK3S? Changes include

• a reworked extruder assembly, which should now be easier to service
• a new filament sensor which uses an optical sensor triggered by a mechanical lever Prusa adds: “This sensor doesn’t care about the optical properties of the filament (it can be completely invisible) and cannot die because of mechanical wear.”
• Thanks to the new extruder design, cooling capabilities are improved. This also should hslp you getting better results from flexible materials.

Finally, the MK3S has all the upgrades from the entire life cycle of the MK3. These improvements include:

• improved firmware
• plastic part enhancement
• new genuine gates belts
• replacement of spiral wraps with textile sleeves
• a new Einsy case
• anti-rust coating on smooth PEI sheets.

The new MK3S has been shipping since February 8th. You can buy the upgrades from the e-shop. The regular upgrade costs $39.99. If you print most parts yourself, costs will come down to $19.99.

Free Upgrade to the Prusa MMU2S

Next up is the MMU2. Prusa explains that every owner of the MMU2 will be getting theupgrade for free, wherever you are in the world. For factory-printed plastic parts, you can expect to pay $20 extra.

Prusa begins by explaining that his team were shocked by the feedback regarding the MMU2. He explains that while many customers print with five filaments, there are others who face problems with multi-material printing. However, after two months and 478 test blocks (see below), the reliability of the extruder has increased significantly.

Prusa explains that more than 93 % of the test prints were successfully completed. The team is still working on firmware improvements to reduce the number of failed prints. You can find tips and tricks in the new revision of the MMU2S handbook on how to arrange everything for successful printing.

Prusa adds: “We are still waiting for some parts, but we will be able to start shipping the MMU2S over the course of next week. And once more – ALL MMU2 users will get vouchers for this upgrade FOR FREE by the end of this week.”

New Firmware Builds – 3.5.3 and 3.5.2

Any hardware update also means it’s time for a new software: Prusa Research is releasing new firmware with support for MK3S / MK2.5S (version 3.5.3) which will also have improvements for MK3 and MK2.5 (3.5.2).

One of the highlights mentioned by Prusa is the different method for controlling the heatbed power. This was done to reduce the PSU clicking noise.

Prusa lets customers know that finer mesh bed leveling is in the works but “it just takes time to do properly without hitting the magnets which throw off the readings even thru the steel sheet.”

He adds that you should make sure to “babysit” any printer using untested community firmware as safety checks could fail.

Textured Sheets are an Ongoing Saga

The problems with manufacturing textured sheets are “legendary” and Prusa adds that even a year after their introduction, they’re still learning just how difficult these sheets are to create.

But, the company has managed to ship over 10,000 and achieve “some success”. They also built their own testing lab and inspected every aspect of the process. Now, the company has suppliers able to manufacture the sheets up to its high standards. However, no dates are being promised again as Prusa has burnt himself out “too many times and made a lot of people sad”.

But, fingers crossed that the saga of textured sheets will be resolved and ready to ship to everyone “soon”.

Shipping Soon: Prusa’s First Resin-Based Printer – the Original Prusa SL1

Last, Prusa explains that the second internal beta testing of the company’s first resin-based 3D printer was completed and boasts “awesome results”. In fact, all hardware issues are now resolved and promised features are working. The printer will work with resins from different manufacturers and the team has tested over 100 types so far.

But, the team is leaving nothing to chance with this open-source printer. So, the next step is an external beta-test. This will start at the end of the month with more than 50 SL1 printers.

Factoring in some setbacks caused by Chinese New Year, Prusa estimates that first units should reach customers by late March 2019. The special pre-order price has been extended.

Help Improve Prusa’s Slic3r PE

The Slic3r PE development “is gaining some serious speed” and you can help shape the look of the slicer by testing out the new GU and reporting back to the dedicated team of seven people.

The goal is to have a slicer which is the best out there for every printer – not only the Original Prusas. Prusa adds: “I am very proud as of right now, even getting bugs fixed in a timely matter isn’t standard if you know what I mean.”

Check it out and download it for free on GitHub.

Prusament is SOLD OUT

Finally, the last update is that Prusament is “desperately” sold out. But, it has received universal praise and is now unavailable on Amazon as it was back ordered too much. Prusa promises that production capacity is continuously increasing and the goal is to achieve non-stop production with robotic operators.

“It’s not a stock item (wait time is 6 months) and when they come we have to do all our mods to achieve the quality we want but I hope we will be able to meet the demand this year. I still have a feeling I will need to order more though,” explains Prusa.

Check out the full update by visiting the Prusa Printers website.