I have a MPCNC I built about 5 years ago. What is the feasibility going to a 3d printer? Not enough and just start from scratch?
Any way thanks for the help,
Brad
Converted MPCNCs make for terrible 3D printers.
You can use your MPCNC to cut parts for the MP3DP V5, which is Ryan’s latest 3D printer design.
MP3DP V5 is a kick butt printer and a great project for your MPCNC. (You need some other printer to bootstrap the printed parts)
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@bmacoubrie , I originally built my Primo with a drop table with the intention to be able to swap out the router for a print head and add a heated bed. It would give me a ~2’x2’x15” build volume, however I never got there.
@MakerJim , do you have any specific reasons? This was one of Ryan’s original plans.
Seems like he could use it to bootstrap an MP3DP. He would be able to both print and cut the parts needed for the machine. Then he could transfer everything over to the new printer. Sounds like an interesting project not to mention a cool story.
I always forget details.
I have the MPCNC. I plan on building the LR4.
My son wants a 3d printer. Didn’t know how much of the mpcnc was usable in the PM3D.
I’m guessing going from one to another the board, power supply and motors are usable.
I was just a lurker back then, so maybe one of the longer time regulars can comment.
My recollection is that you could marginally do a conversion but the MPCNC was a really horrible 3D printer.
So much so, that the upgrade path would be to use the MPCNC to cut the aluminum parts and the sides of the MP3DP enclosure (if the enclosure fits on the MPCNC), then bootstrap with a super cheap craigslist/marketplace printer or to use a local makerspace printer to bootstrap the printed parts.
The MP3DP V5 is a wicked awesome triple flying Z coreXY machine, but you’ll need 5 stepper drivers minimum (with a CAN bus tool head) or 6 drivers with a conventional extruder.
Ideally, using a board like SKR pro 1.2 which is well suited to running Klipper (or something like a Duet board).
Maybe if you detail what you have currently on the MPCNC we can help you decide what a migration path would be.
Edit: also, just to say this part out loud: I LIKE building machines, but not everyone does. There have been several threads here recently about how much awesomeness you can get in the roughly $300 range with the latest QiDi or FlashForge options.
If you value the building and learning, then that favors making a MP3DP. If you want something super capable at lowest possible cost, then it might be worth considering those commercial options.
And if you want something that just works all the time, hard to go wrong with a Prusa.
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You need 6 drivers for the 3dp. the 6th is for the extruder. If you run the skr you can add it. The v5 is a great design and it is a serious time investment to build and tune. The v4 was a good printer, but the v5 is great and it is light enough in the right places to be fast like most of the good modern printers are.
Mpcnc as a printer at best would be terribly slow because of the moving mass. While you can theoretically make it print as a matter of principle, it’s print quality and speed will never be great compared with what is cheaply available. A jack of all trades system will truly be a master of none unfortunately in this case.
Perhaps the mpcnc could be a donor of bearings, bolts, electronics and motors for the LR4 or the mp3dp.
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That was a long time ago. 3D printers were different back then. This was even before the Enders showed up. Prusa clones like the Anet A8 were common and Ryan had just come from working at a company that made 3D printers. He even made one with 4 print heads to make 4 exact parts at once.
You can do it. But it isn’t easy for someone without a 3D printer or experience. The main troubles are the mass and the difficulty getting a bed perfectly trammed. A cheap 3D printer would give you fewer headaches and perform better.
That said, if you have a specific need in mind, you can do it. If you need to print a square 30" long or something. Or if you wanted to print onto T shirts. But I wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner.
There was a recent thread with printer recommendations. The one Doug recommended with a new version of klipper seems pretty decent to me.
The MP3DP is great too. It is more of an intermediate build. But it is high performing.
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I shold go back and edit my post. 5 minimum if you use a CAN bus toolhead, 6 stepper drivers for a conventional extruder. I wasn’t clear.
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Good point. I haven’t used the can bus, so I forget the main board isn’t required to have 6 drivers.
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Thank you all for your support. I discussed it with my son and we agree that buying one is probably best. We are looking at the Qidi X Max3 which is on sale right now for under $650. Compared to Amazon that is around 150-200 less.
Anyway that’s why i belong here, great people great knowledge.
Brad
It is a good community.
You might want to add these to your investigation (based on threads here)
Flashforge adventurer 5 M, QiDi Q1 pro
https://www.amazon.com/FLASHFORGE-Adventurer-Pro-Multi-Functional-220x220x220mm/dp/B0CH4NYL6J?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/QIDI-High-Speed-Leveling-Printers-Detection/dp/B0CSDB9QTF?ref_=ast_sto_dp
There are active threads here in the community on using/modifying the A5M, and Ryan mentioned the new QiDi printers recently as well comparing build vs buy.