Prusa Picks Up The Tempo With New MK4S Printer

One of many stuff you’re paying for once you purchase a 3D printer from Prusa Analysis is, primarily, your subsequent 3D printer. That’s as a result of Prusa’s machines are designed to be upgraded and modified as time goes on. An improve equipment is at all times launched to permit every older printer to be transformed into its successor, and whereas there’s often been some debate about whether or not or not it’s probably the most cost-effective selection, a minimum of it is a selection you’ve gotten as an proprietor.

For those who’ve obtained a Prusa MK4, you’ll quickly get to make that call for your self. Introduced earlier right this moment, the brand new MK4S brings some notable adjustments to final 12 months’s printer. The $99 improve is scheduled to be obtainable by the top of the month for present house owners, however should you’ve been on the fence about becoming a member of Staff Orange and Black, you should purchase the MK4S proper now in each equipment and assembled types for a similar value ($799 and $1,099 respectively) because the earlier MK4.

So, what’s new with the MK4S? With pace an more and more scorching matter within the 3D printing group, it ought to come as little shock to search out this new machine is even quicker than its predecessor. A reworked cooling system and new high-flow nozzle imply Prusa’s newest can spit out everybody’s favourite little boat in 14 minutes—or as little as 8 minutes should you don’t thoughts a slight drop in print high quality.

The announcement put up additionally cites enhancements to the machine’s printed structural parts. Elements that have been beforehand made in PETG are actually being printed in carbon fiber-infused polycarbonate. Some components, such because the entrance panel, have even been converted to injection molding.

Whereas describing the adjustments made with the MK4s, the weblog put up additionally clarified Prusa’s place concerning open sourcing of their printers. There was appreciable concern again in March of 2023 when the corporate introduced it was reconsidering its conventional dedication to creating its {hardware} and software program as open — as a lot as doable — in gentle of elevated industrial competitors. However now the corporate has posted a chart on their web site that explains not solely what’s being shared for every of their printers, however a timeline as to after we can anticipate it.

Whereas it hasn’t been up to date for the 4S but, the overview exhibits that the corporate plans on holding onto the design recordsdata for the MK4 PCBs till the top of the product’s life. In any other case, it appears their present flagship printer is equally as open because the MK3 that got here earlier than it. Whereas a time-limited supply launch will doubtless rub some within the mistaken approach, the truth is that it’s greater than you’d get with just about every other 3D printer producer on the market.

The announcement additionally talks briefly in regards to the new GPIO “Hackerboard” that the corporate will begin delivery in September. The $15 board plugs into an growth connector on the PCB of the MK4 or MK4S, and supplies eight pins that may be toggled by way of G-Code despatched to the printer. These could possibly be used for all types of automation duties, resembling turning on the lights and followers within an enclosure or triggering the shutter on a digital camera. There’s not a lot element about this specific add-on but, nevertheless it’s actually one thing we’ll be maintaining an in depth eye on.