Prusa XL 3D Printer

I purchases a new Prusa XL 3D printer the other day, after being on a waiting list for perhaps a year.

While I don't have much time to use it yet, the reason I went ahead and ordered one immediately after getting an announcement is that Prusa has had severe supply chain issues, and continues to have issues, and so first days orders take a year to ship.

I figured if I waited, the delivery could be years away.

A quick review of the machine in some online videos seems to indicate that many/most folks seem to be very please with their XL's (the few who have been lucky enough to snag one).

I have tried a few prints on the XL, and I must say it seems to be a very stable machine, with no first layer adjustment required, and so far no bed lifting issues like I have had on other machines.

JasonB has provided a magnificent flywheel pattern in 3D to me to use as a test, and I am very impressed with his design.

Jason's flywheel pattern halves printed well with no problems.

I had hoped for slightly better surface finish, but overall I am very impressed with the XL.

Print area is 14" cubed, so best to stock up on filament for this printer.

Pat J

My first print was a file that was furnished with the printer, and I tried it to gauge the accuracy of an irregular object that took up a lot of the printer's height.

Again, my only complaint is surface finish, which is slightly more rough on curves surfaces than I would like.

I was surprised at how well this print turned out without any supports under the disjointed canteliever pieces.

Edited By PatJ on 15/07/2023 11:48:02

Next print was JasonB's lovely flywheel pattern halves.

I printed these at 12" diameter, and I will use these as pattern halves for an upcoming engine build.

Edited By PatJ on 15/07/2023 11:52:27

If I were not so covered up with work projects at the moment (long term problem I have), I would deep dive into some engine pattern making and casting work.

There will come a day when I will get caught up with work projects, and then the power of the Prusa XL will be unleashed, and I will be doing some very serious engine casting work.

Pat J

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Edited By PatJ on 15/07/2023 11:57:42

That looks great, worth the wait

Here is a video that highlights some of the features of the XL printer.

I have a single print head, and I will probably not go the multi-print head route, but I do have that option in the future to add print heads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9peACH52KTo&t=197s

Thanks Andrew; I think this printer has great promise.

The reason I use Prusa is that they seem to push the limits on new 3D printer technology, they are open-sourced completely, they have 24/7 online help with real people who have knowledge of their printers, and they have an owner who is a nerdy little guy who eats, sleeps, dreams and lives to make the best 3D printer in the world, not some corporate board that is only focused on profits and not much else.

Prusa stands behind their printers 100%, and I need that level of support.

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Edited By PatJ on 15/07/2023 12:20:12

It would be worth doing some smaller test pieces to try and improve the finish, some of the suggestions about settings and different nozzle sizes suggested on HMEM would be a good starting point before you print anymore large patterns.

Just seen a video of the full size 16" cast iron version of that flywheel pattern I did running on the model Brayton Readymotor for the first time. Facebook Link for those that use it rest, will just have to miss out. If anyone wants to see it in the Flesh then it will be at teh Anson Museum this weekend for their "Small Power Engine" rally along with Graham Corry who built it

Edited By JasonB on 15/07/2023 13:36:56

The prints look impessive but what as you have commented on is the surface finish - the most important thing in foundry pattern making that seems lacking ! Only remedial work will make them usable. When I first heard about 3D printing I thought it would make pattern making so easy but having had several patterns presented for casting that could not be removed from the sand without much additional work either before molding or after casting, I became rather disappointed ! Noel.

That is one big dog! When I got my new Ender3 a few years back I set it printing the cat model on the usb. It was about two inches tall and took five hours to print. The layer lines are almost invisible, and the one eighth inch high Chinese writing on the cat is as sharp as though it had printed on a resin printer. That was the only good quality print I have ever done. I use my printer to produce the shape, which with some filling, sanding etc, closely resembles my design.

I couldn't produce patterns/moulds without one.

I've found that default layer heights used by slicer programs are very much a compromise between surface quality and print time. If surface finish is critical, try half the layer height but be prepared to wait a long while!

Also, it's worth ensuring that the layer height used equates to a whole number of motor steps. Otherwise it plays catch-up every so often and you get a thicker layer.