Prusa Research Announces Today It’s the release of the long-awaited Prusa MK4 3D printer, and on paper it looks like you’re getting a lot of printers for your money, probably enough to make it into our list of the best 3D printers. MK4 is described by Josef Průša as “an open source 3D printing workhorse with long-term support.” The team he has run hundreds of units for over a year.
The MK4 is built around a mainboard “xBuddy board” powered by 32-bit STM32. This board has Ethernet access, Input Shaper (fine speed control of the motion system) and Pressure Advance (the filament nozzle accelerates and decelerates to retract).
The NExtruder uses a quick-swap nozzle to change the diameter of the opening. The bigger the nozzle, the faster the printing speed, and by default he comes with a 0.4mm nozzle. Replacing the nozzle was a simple matter of unscrewing two thumbscrews and he disconnecting two cables. After that, the entire hotend is released.
| build volume | 250 x 210 x 220 mm | 9.84 x 8.3 x 8.6 inches |
| layer height | 0.05-0.30mm |
| main board | Custom 32-bit xBuddy electronics using STM32 |
| stepper driver | Trinamic 2130 |
| stepper motor | Accurate 0.9° X, Y stepper motor (prevents VFA) |
| extruder | Extruder, direct drive, E3D V6 compatible (with adapter) |
| filament path | Aluminum heatsink, all-metal hotend, no PTFE tube |
| driving system | NExtruder planetary gear system, 10:1 gearbox ratio |
| Nozzle diameter | 0.4mm (default) / Compatible with other nozzle diameters |
| Maximum nozzle temperature | 300°C / 572°F |
| Maximum heatbed temperature | 120°C / 248°F |
| advanced sensor | Filament sensor, load cell sensor, power panic, 4 high-precision thermistors (genuine semi-tech) + fan motor speed monitor |
| printing surface | Magnetic heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheet |
| bed calibration | Automatic, mesh bed leveling (print area only) |
| Corresponding material | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, HIPS, PA, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB, NGEN, composite materials, etc. |
| Printer dimensions (no spool) | 500 x 550 x 400mm; 19.6 x 21.6 x 15.7 inches (X x Y x Z) |
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The MK4 has a maximum build volume of 250 x 210 x 220 mm, uses 1.75 mm diameter filament and is fed directly into a 10:1 planetary extruder. This is a drive gear with a large contact area to reduce slip.
Nextruder also has a Hall sensor to detect filament breakage. On other printers such as the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro, Plus and Max, this sensor is located at the top of the gantry and rattles as the print moves around the bed. The NExtruder’s electronics are easily accessible via a breakout board on the back of the unit.
MK4 claims to be faster than MK3. In one test, the MK3 took him 10 hours to print, while the MK4 took him just 3.5 hours. The reason for this is the Input Shaper and Pressure Advance, which are similar to Clipper and offer faster print times.
Rather than port Klipper to the MK4, Prusa chose to create its own version tailored to its printers. The increased speed means that rapid prototyping, which 3D printers are good at, is even faster with the MK4. To prove just how fast he can run, Prusa has released his YouTube video of his sub-20 minute bench.
Seasoned 3D printer users know how important the first layer is. We often babysit the first layer for perfection. Getting your printer perfectly level is an art. MK4 automates the process to give you the perfect first layer every time.
So changing nozzles and print sheets doesn’t take half an hour of the tedious and tedious process of sliding paper around the bed. The print head performs an automatic bed leveling process where the nozzles themselves contact the bed, and load cell sensors accurately detect contact.
The MK4’s frame is made from injection molded aluminium. It is poured into a two-part mold, cleaned, sandblasted and powder coated to protect the metal while looking great. At the base of the frame is a 3.5 inch color LCD touchscreen with physical control knobs and inputs.
The MK3 series of 3D printers has been extremely popular, with approximately 350,000 units sold worldwide. The MK4 seems designed to inherit his MK3 series in almost every respect. The MK4 improves on the MK3S+ by changing and upgrading about 90% of the parts. Only a few parts were saved from the upgrade.
Prusa MK4 available in limited quantities Direct from Prusa Research $1099 as an assembled unit. An upgrade kit will be available in the near future for $799.
