Flexible resins are a group of materials with low shore hardness and various uses. However, they can be challenging to print, often made from dangerous chemicals, and require washing in toxic solvents. To address these issues, Prusa3D has developed their own flexible resin called Flex80. This resin is odorless, non-toxic, and suitable for hobby and professional use. It offers fast print speed, great detail, the ability to print large objects, and easy washing with IPA.

When compared to flexible filaments, flexible resins have different properties. They can have lower shore hardness, allowing for softer and smoother models. However, flexible resins may take longer to return to their original shape compared to filaments. They are also less resilient and may crack if bent too much.

Flex80 resin is a versatile material that is easy to print and offers high performance at a low price. It has flexible and energy-damping properties, low viscosity, and is washable in IPA. The resin is virtually odorless and has high safety standards for skin irritation. It has high resolution for printing fine structures and is reliable for printing larger objects with support. The resin is easy to post-process with the Original Prusa CW1S and offers overall high performance.

After 60 minutes of curing, Flex80 resin has a tensile modulus of 17 MPa, tensile strength of 9 MPa, tensile elongation of 60%, and shore hardness of 70-80A. It can be processed by all types of SLA 3D printers but is specifically developed for printers using the 405 nm wavelength.

Flex80 resin has low toxicity and is suitable for various applications. It can be used to print models and figures with high detail and durability. The resin is also great for printing clear translucent models with minimal discoloration. It can be used in the field of microfluidics, for prototyping tires, medical models, grips, watertight seals, and rugged housing for electronic devices.

Source: Prusa3D.

The winners of the Prusa Enclosure Modifications contest have been announced, showcasing the innovative and creative ideas of the community. The first-place winner is Lars, who designed an automated heating and ventilation system for the enclosure. This system allows for quick temperature adjustments, especially during colder months. The second-place winner, Kevin Barker, created an interior storage shelf that maximizes space and features a unique hexagon design. In third place is MW, who designed a hinged lid with a gas spring for easy access to the enclosure. Bram Elema received an honorable mention for their well-crafted and functional (Un)original Prusa Drybox. The community’s top picks include multicolor mesh side boxes, an original Prusa spool holder, xRivets for the enclosure, Prusa enclosure covers, and an original Prusa enclosure slider lock latch. Congratulations to all the winners and participants of the contest!

Source: Prusa3D.

Prusa3D has responded to the demand for recycling options for 3D print waste and leftover filament by creating the Prusa World Map. This map, which is an improved version of the previous Prusa World Map project, features small-scale plastic recycling projects from around the world. Prusa3D has partnered with Precious Plastic, an organization that manages a global community of local recyclers, to utilize their expertise and contacts. The map allows users to locate their nearest plastic recycling solution point, providing information about the specific recycling project, the materials they accept, and how to contact them.

The Prusa World Map currently includes projects from the 3D printing community as well as the Precious Plastic community, with some projects even producing their own filaments from plastic waste. However, there is still a need for more recycling projects to be added to the map, and Prusa3D encourages businesses that are involved in recycling 3D printing waste to add themselves to the map. Instructions for adding a business/recycling point are available on the Prusa3D website.

The 3D print plastic waste, which is often seen as an inconvenience by 3D printer users, is actually a valuable resource for many small recycling businesses. Compared to regular recycling bin contents, 3D print plastic waste is homogeneous, clean, and has a predictable composition. By connecting recyclers with the 3D printing community, Prusa3D aims to create a mutually beneficial match.

In addition to providing recycling options, Prusa3D also emphasizes the importance of reducing waste output in the first place. This includes thoughtful slicer settings, print optimization, and printing meaningful objects. Prusa3D encourages users to be mindful of their waste management practices and provides resources for inspiration.

Overall, Prusa3D’s Prusa World Map is a valuable tool for finding local recycling options for 3D print waste. By partnering with Precious Plastic and utilizing their global network, Prusa3D is able to connect the 3D printing community with small-scale recycling projects around the world, contributing to a more sustainable approach to 3D printing waste management.

Source: Prusa3D.

Prusa3D has written an article discussing the Thermal Model Protection system. The system, introduced in the 3.12 firmware update, quickly identifies and addresses unexpected heating issues in the 3D printer. It aims to stop the heating process within 10-12 seconds to prevent any potential damage. The system monitors thermistor readings and compares them to a predefined thermal model pattern. If any irregularities are detected, the printer displays a “THERMAL ANOMALY” warning and deactivates the heating. This ensures the safety of the printer and alerts the user to any potential issues.

However, the question arises: what happens if the 3D printer is heavily modified? Prusa analyzed over 150,000 measurements to create the thermal model for their stock MK3S+ printers. But since the printers are open-source and users are free to modify them, it wasn’t possible to test every single modification. The Thermal Model Protection system may throw errors for heavily modified printers, but it’s important not to disable the safety features. Prusa recommends contacting their support team for assistance in such cases.

The Revo hotend, made by E3D, is a popular alternative to the stock hotend of the MK3S+. Although it’s a third-party modification, Prusa wanted to ensure its compatibility and safety. Due to limited resources, they turned to their community for help. Community members measured temperatures and fans under specific conditions, providing valuable data for the development of the thermal model for Revo hotends. With the community’s assistance, Prusa was able to create an experimental firmware update and fine-tune the thermal model for Revo hotends.

Prusa continues to prioritize safety and reliability in their firmware updates. The collaboration with the community has been instrumental in improving and expanding the features of their printers.

Source: Prusa3D.

Hackaday posts about the Infini-Z 3D printer, which aims to eventually print a copy of itself. The printer features an infinite Z-axis design that extrudes its own legs to raise the gantry. While the printer cannot currently create a practical printer due to the need for additional parts like bearings and electronics, the creator believes these challenges can be overcome.

The project reminds one of the Creality CR-30, which also features an infinite axis system.

Source: Hackaday.