Difference between Prusa and Original
Posted by theonlyteam
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Re: Difference between Prusa and Original August 04, 2011 03:19AM |
The Prusa Mendel is a 'rationalised' (if thats the right term) version of the original Mendel, with less parts, while working in an almost identical way. Haven't built a standard Mendel, but with more parts, I would imagine it being far more work.
I understand there to be not much difference in resulting print quality, although alot of this comes down to fine tuning anyway, and so is more dependant on your tenacity in calibrating, than on which Mendel you have.
One of the most obvious differences is the Z-axis, for which the Prusa uses an extra motor. This reduces the need for the z-assembly, on the original Mendel, for transfering torque from a single stepper to the two threaded rods which control the z-axis. Instead the Prusa uses a motor for each of the two z-axis threaded rods, which is fair less complicated (including for firmware calculations). A potential drawback from this, is that the two rods of the z-axis can get out of sync if you bump one, but from the look of it, this may still be possible on the Mendel, and probably harder rectify (I have no experience of this, just assuming). Also with the motors on the top, the full weight of the z-axis threaded rods and x carriage pull down on the motor shafts, as opposed to the mendel frame/608 bearings (which I hear is a problem anyway), although other than some coupling issues is apparently ok.
Using less parts, the Prusa will also cost less in printed parts (a quick check on ebay would confirm), and with less bearings, and nuts and bolts, should still be less for the non-printed parts with the extra cost of the additional z-axis motor.
For first time build, (between these two designs) I'd say Prusa, and possibly also for 2nd and 3rd
.
Peter
I understand there to be not much difference in resulting print quality, although alot of this comes down to fine tuning anyway, and so is more dependant on your tenacity in calibrating, than on which Mendel you have.
One of the most obvious differences is the Z-axis, for which the Prusa uses an extra motor. This reduces the need for the z-assembly, on the original Mendel, for transfering torque from a single stepper to the two threaded rods which control the z-axis. Instead the Prusa uses a motor for each of the two z-axis threaded rods, which is fair less complicated (including for firmware calculations). A potential drawback from this, is that the two rods of the z-axis can get out of sync if you bump one, but from the look of it, this may still be possible on the Mendel, and probably harder rectify (I have no experience of this, just assuming). Also with the motors on the top, the full weight of the z-axis threaded rods and x carriage pull down on the motor shafts, as opposed to the mendel frame/608 bearings (which I hear is a problem anyway), although other than some coupling issues is apparently ok.
Using less parts, the Prusa will also cost less in printed parts (a quick check on ebay would confirm), and with less bearings, and nuts and bolts, should still be less for the non-printed parts with the extra cost of the additional z-axis motor.
For first time build, (between these two designs) I'd say Prusa, and possibly also for 2nd and 3rd
. Peter
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