Prusa Research MK3.5 Handbook
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Prusa Research MK3.5 Handbook

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3D PRINTING
HANDBOOK
FOR THE ORIGINAL PRUSA MK3.5 3D PRINTER

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  • Page 1 3D PRINTING HANDBOOK FOR THE ORIGINAL PRUSA MK3.5 3D PRINTER...
  • Page 2 JOSEF PRUSA®, PRUSA RESEARCH®, PRUSA POLYMERS®, PRUSA ORANGE®, ORIGINAL PRUSA®, PRUSA 3D®, and PRUSAMENT® are registered trademarks of Prusa Development a.s. used by Prusa Research a.s. under license from Prusa Development a.s. | JOSEF PRUSA, ORIGINAL PRUSA, and PRUSAMENT are registered trademarks (or trademark applications) of Prusa Development a.s. and are used by Prusa Research a.s. under license from Prusa Development a.s.
  • Page 3 About the Author Josef Průša (*23. 2. 1990) became interested in 3D printing when he began studying at the University of Economics in 2009 - it started off as a hobby, a new technology open to modifications and improvements. The hobby quickly became his passion, and Josef became one of the main developers of the international open-source (all works are freely available for any use) RepRap project by Adrian Bowyer.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of contents 1. Once the upgrade is installed… ........................1.1. Printer placement ............................1.2. Error Screens ............................... 2. Your First Print ..............................2.1. Basic controls .............................. 2.2. Flashing the firmware ..........................2.3. Selftest (Calibration Wizard) ........................ 2.4. Preparing Flexible Print Sheets ......................
  • Page 5 7.9. Slicing and Exporting ..........................8. Material Guide ............................... 8.1. PLA .................................. 8.2. PETG ................................8.3. ASA (ABS) ..............................8.4. PC (polycarbonate) and PC Blend ....................8.5. PVB ................................. 8.6. Flexible Materials ............................. 8.7. PA (Polyamide) / PA11CF ........................9. Regular Maintenance ............................
  • Page 6 Safety symbols and their meaning Careful: strong magnetic fields Careful: mechanical parts. Take care to avoid injury to hands when in close proximity to the device with mechanical parts. Further information regarding function and service can be found in this user (service) manual or online at help.prusa3d.com.
  • Page 7 Original Prusa MK3.5 Warranty Information The parts for the Original Prusa MK3.5 3D printer are covered by a 24-month warranty for end customers in the EU, and a 12-month warranty for business customers and end customers in the rest of the world.
  • Page 8 Safety Instructions and Disclaimer Acting in contravention of the information provided in the manual may lead to injury, poor print results, or damage to the 3D printer. Make sure that everyone working with the printer is familiarized with the content of this handbook and understands it correctly. As we cannot control the conditions under which the Original Prusa XL printer is assembled, we do not assume any responsibility and expressly disclaim any liability for losses, injuries, damages or expenses arising out of or in connection with the assembly, handling, storage, use or disposal of the product.
  • Page 9 Electrical Safety The printer should only be powered through a standard 230 VAC, 50 Hz or 110 VAC, 60 Hz outlet. Never use alternative power sources as they can cause problems or damage the printer. Do not use the printer if the power cord is damaged in any way – damaged cords can lead to electric shock.
  • Page 10 Proper Use of Double-Sided Print Sheets Each type of print sheet requires slightly different maintenance. Improper handling and use can lead to damage to the print sheet, heatbed or other parts of the printer. Print sheets are consumable and subject to wear. The surface of the textured and satin print sheet must not be cleaned with acetone! Please refer to the Flexible Print Sheets chapter for maintenance instructions.
  • Page 11 USB flash drives instead of SD cards. However, the easiest way to get print files to your Original Prusa MK3.5 is via the built-in network features. Simply register your printer in our Connect management software (connect.prusa3d.com) and you will no longer need to walk...
  • Page 12 Original Prusa MK3.5 Overview and Glossary Filament spool - The MK3.5 is compatible only with 1.75mm filaments. Frame Z-Axis - vertical, consists of threaded and smooth rods, moves the extruder up and down. Extruder - Carried over from the Original Prusa MK3S/+.
  • Page 13 Filament insertion point (from the top) - the MK3.5 is compatible only with 1.75mm filaments. Extruder motor - controls the drive gears. Side fan - controls the temperature of the hotend. Nozzle - a standard V6-compatible nozzle, 0.4mm by default.

  • Page 14: Once The Upgrade Is Installed

    Congratulations! You made it to the end of the upgrade installation guide and now the Original Prusa MK3.5 sits on your table, waiting to be started for the first time. We'll get to it in a second - let's just go quickly over two important things: we need to make sure your printer is properly set up and what to do in case you see an error screen.

  • Page 15: Your First Print

    2. Your First Print To get your printer up and running, please pay attention to the information in the following chapters. We will go through the basics together - you’ll be printing in no time! In this chapter you will learn how to: Control the printer Flash the firmware Prepare the print sheet for the first print...

  • Page 16: Flashing The Firmware

    This step is mandatory and must not be skipped! When you start the Original Prusa MK3.5 for the first time, the system will perform a quick check of your hardware and ask you to update the firmware using the bundled USB flash drive. You can also always download the firmware file from our website prusa3d.com/drivers...

  • Page 17: Selftest (Calibration Wizard)

    2.3. Selftest (Calibration Wizard) When you first power on the Original Prusa MK3.5 after the firmware is flashed, the Selftest (Calibration wizard) will start. The wizard will walk you through the initial calibration and all necessary tests to start printing. Completing the entire checklist is mandatory. You'll notice it's much easier and faster than the old Wizard.

  • Page 18: Preparing Flexible Print Sheets

    The Original Prusa MK3.5 is compatible with the MK3S/+ print sheets. As always, we recommend that you carefully study how to properly treat the surface in the Regular Maintenance chapter.

  • Page 19: Running The Selftest And Initial Calibration

    2.5. Running the Selftest and Initial Calibration During the Printer Selftest, do not manipulate or touch the printer unless the calibration asks you to. If the printer is placed on an unstable surface or if there is another running 3D printer next to it, it may affect the accuracy of the calibration negatively.

  • Page 20: Inserting (Loading) Filament

    2.6. Inserting (Loading) filament First, prepare a spool of filament - we strongly recommend using PLA for the first layer calibration. Take the spool, make sure the end of the filament is properly secured and place the spool onto the spoolholder on top of the printer's frame. Carefully unhook the end of the filament strand and make sure not to let go, otherwise, the filament could quickly tangle up.

  • Page 21: Unloading (Removing) Filament

    The printer remembers which filament is inserted even when you turn it off. The type of filament is displayed in the lower section of the LCD menu. For the next step (First Layer Calibration), leave the filament inserted in the printer. If for any reason you need to change the filament, the procedure is described below.

  • Page 22: First Layer Calibration

    2.8. First Layer Calibration We recommend using a combination of PLA and a smooth print sheet for this calibration. Now it's time to calibrate the distance between the nozzle and the print sheet. The printer will begin to print a thin line and your task will be to rotate the knob until the nozzle is in an ideal position.
  • Page 23 See the infographics below to see how squashed the filament on the print sheet should be. You can repeat this step as many times as you like. At the end of the calibration, the printer will always ask whether you want to rerun with the current Z height offset value or if you want to revert to the default value.

  • Page 24: Starting The First Print

    2.9. Starting the First Print If you haven't done it already, clean the print sheet with the enclosed wipe saturated with isopropyl alcohol or spray a bit of isopropyl alcohol onto the sheet and wipe it clean with a paper towel.
  • Page 25 Carefully observe the quality of the first layer and use the Live Adjust Z function to fine-tune the first layer. If you find that the plastic is peeling off the bed, stop the print by selecting the Stop print icon on the screen.

  • Page 26: Removing A Printed Object From The Print Sheet

    2.10. Removing a Printed Object from the Print Sheet Once the print job is finished, wait until the print sheet cools down. The print plate and heated bed may exceed 100 °C, depending on the settings - contact with unprotected skin can cause burns, so check the heatbed temperature in the footer of the LCD screen! Depending on the type of material, it may happen that the print will separate from the print sheet automatically by itself after cooling.

  • Page 27: Selftest Troubleshooting

    2.11. Selftest Troubleshooting If you experience trouble with the Selftest, it's possible you missed a step in the walkthrough or you forgot to connect something. No worries, fixing an issue is actually pretty straightforward. We offer some quick troubleshooting tips below, but you can also visit our detailed troubleshooting guides at help.prusa3d.com! If you see a heating-related error during the Selftest, make sure that the print sheet is placed on the heatbed as described in the previous chapters.

  • Page 28: First Layer Calibration Troubleshooting

    2.14. First Layer Calibration Troubleshooting The calibration of the first layer is the most crucial part of the calibration process. Only with a properly calibrated first layer, your prints will adhere correctly to the print sheet. When the first layer calibration line is printed, it should stick nicely to the sheet. If you poke it gently with your nail from the side, it shouldn't move.

  • Page 29: Print Quality Troubleshooting

    3.1. Sample Models The USB drive that came with your Original Prusa MK3.5 3D printer contains a number of sample files (G-codes). We recommend keeping them on the flash drive. These files have been prepared (sliced) and thoroughly tested by us. If you encounter issues with print quality at any time, try loading and printing one of the sample files - especially the Prusa Logo and the First Layer Test.

  • Page 30: Factory Reset

    4. Factory Reset If you feel like you changed settings that have negatively affected your 3D printer, you can always revert to factory default values and try again. Factory Reset can be done via LCD Menu - Settings - System - Factory Reset. This will reset all the saved values to their default state.

  • Page 31: Advanced User Guide

    5. Advanced User Guide This part of the handbook covers everything you need to know once you manage to successfully print your first sample object. Network connection, printing your own models, slicing - all this (and more) is covered on the following pages. 5.1.

  • Page 32: Network Connection

    5.2. Network Connection The Original Prusa MK3.5 has an onboard Ethernet (RJ45) interface and can be upgraded with a Wi-Fi module for connecting to the wireless network. You can find a Wi-Fi module in the package. If you followed the assembly instructions, it should now be connected to the rear port of the motherboard.

  • Page 33: Connect To A Wireless Network Via Prusaslicer

    Prusa Account. Then, click Add Printer, select Original Prusa MK3.5 from the list and enter the code that can be found in the printer's menu under Settings - Network - Prusa Connect - Add Printer to Connect.

  • Page 34: Prusa Connect Vs Prusalink

    send all the G-codes to the printer at once. When a print job is finished, you just harvest the finished model and confirm the printer is ready for the next job in the queue. The print queue has a timeline to visualize when each print job finishes to easily keep track of your printing status on all printers at once! You can also remotely control your 3D printer and adjust its settings.

  • Page 35: Advanced Menu Features

    5.4. Advanced Menu Features 5.4.1. User Interface This menu enables you to customize certain features of your printer. In the Footer section, you can choose what information will be shown in the lower section of the screen. You can also adjust which components should be preheated when you're switching filaments.

  • Page 36: Replacing The Nozzle

    5.5. Replacing the Nozzle The Original Prusa MK3.5 printer uses the E3D V6 Hotend. Any nozzle that is compatible with the E3D V6 Hotend can be installed on it. The stock nozzle that accompanies the printer is an E3D V6 0.4 mm brass nozzle, but other types and...
  • Page 37 Unload the filament, if it is loaded, from LCD Menu - Unload Filament. Optionally, perform a Cold pull (MK3S/MK2.5S) as described at help.prusa3d.com. Navigate to LCD Menu - Control - Temperature - Nozzle Temperature and set it to 280 °C. Unscrew the two screws on the print fan and the single screw securing the fan shroud.
  • Page 38 There must always be a gap (~0.5 mm) between the nozzle and the heater block (left picture). The nozzle must be tightened/secured in the heater block, and locked against the heat break while heated. Failing to do so will cause leaks. You can also visit prusa.io/nozzle-mk3s for more detailed instructions on how to replace the nozzle.

  • Page 39: Printing Custom Models

    6. Printing Custom Models Your Original Prusa MK3.5 should be now fully calibrated and the first print was a success. And now, you want to print your own models - be it something you already modeled, or something you downloaded from the internet.
  • Page 40 One of the best places for free 3D models is Printables.com, a large online library full of high- quality 3D models managed by Prusa Research. Its main goal is to bring together a large community of designers, creators, and 3D printing enthusiasts - regardless of the brand of 3D printer they prefer.

  • Page 41: Create Your Own Model

    It is free and intuitive, and there are a lot of tutorials available online. Tinkercad is mainly focused on the creation of less detailed and larger (mechanical) parts, ideal for FFF/FDM printing. Your MK3.5 will have no problems printing them.

  • Page 42: Prusaslicer

    Variable layer height Color painting Various print settings Thanks to the strong community and a dedicated team of developers in Prusa Research, PrusaSlicer is constantly evolving with new features and improvements based on community feedback. From print quality improvements to reducing print time and minimizing filament usage, even small updates can have a significant impact on your 3D printing experience.

  • Page 43: Prusaslicer Interface Explained

    7.1. PrusaSlicer Interface Explained Opens detailed Print, Filament and Printer settings The Add button is used to import a 3D model into the scene The Delete and Delete All buttons remove the model(s) from PrusaSlicer Switching between Simple, Advanced and Expert modes Settings for printing speed and quality Material selection Printer selection...

  • Page 44: Initial Setup And General Workflow

    (No. 7 in the PrusaSlicer overview on the previous page). If you don't see the Original Prusa MK3.5 in the list, you need to add it either by using the Add Printer - Add Presets menu item (in the same menu), or by using Configuration - Configuration Wizard from the top menu bar.

  • Page 45: Using Supports

    7.3. Using Supports Supports are printed structures resembling scaffolding. They are used for printing complex objects. After printing, they can be easily separated from the output. You can find a large number of objects that can be printed without supports - just place them in the right orientation on the bed, slice them and you can print.

  • Page 46: Speed Vs Print Quality

    The default support pattern usually works correctly, but if you need to modify the places where the supports will be generated, just go to the Print Settings tab and select Support Material. Check the Generate Support Material box. The Overhang Threshold allows you to set the minimum angle for printing the support material.

  • Page 47: Infill

    7.5. Infill Another parameter that affects the properties of the printed object is Infill. It affects the printing speed, strength and appearance of the object. Objects printed with the FFF/FDM method usually do not have 100% density. Instead, they contain a certain geometric structure inside. It can take various forms, from simple square grids or hexagons to more complex patterns.

  • Page 48: Printing Objects Larger Than The Print Volume

    7.7. Printing Objects Larger than the Print Volume The Original Prusa MK3.5 printer has a print volume of 250 × 210 × 210 mm. If this is not enough for your project, you can use PrusaSlicer's built-in tools to find a solution.

  • Page 49: Printing Multicolored Objects (Without Mmu3)

    7.8. Printing Multicolored Objects (without MMU3) If you want to have a print with layers in different colors, it can be easily set up directly in PrusaSlicer - follow the instructions below. Switch to the layer view (Preview) using the button in the left bottom corner. Use the slider on the right to select the layer in which you want to change the color.

  • Page 50: Slicing And Exporting

    7.9. Slicing and Exporting One of the most important phases of the slicing process is the final check of the sliced object in the Preview. Using the slider on the right, you can review all the print layers of the object one by one.

  • Page 51: Material Guide

    The Original Prusa MK3.5 3D printer is compatible with almost all filaments available. Individual materials may differ not only in color but also in mechanical and optical properties, or even in printing difficulty.

  • Page 52: Pla

    8.1. PLA PLA is the most commonly used material for 3D printing. It prints easily and prints from PLA are very hard. Perfect choice for printing large objects due to low shrinkage (prints don't warp on the bed) and for printing detailed small models. Advantages Disadvantages Easy to print, suitable for beginners...

  • Page 53: Petg

    8.2. PETG PETG is one of the most popular materials for 3D printing. It is a great choice for parts that will be subject to mechanical stress. Compared to PLA, it has a higher temperature resistance, it is more flexible and less brittle. Its surface is usually glossy. Thanks to its low thermal expansion, it holds well to the bed and does not warp.

  • Page 54: Asa (Abs)

    8.3. ASA (ABS) ASA and ABS are very similar materials. In some respects, ASA is better than ABS. ASA is UV- stable compared to ABS and shrinks slightly less during printing. When it comes to post- processing, ABS and ASA can be similar, but the latter is currently more popular, so we will focus mainly on it.

  • Page 55: Pc (Polycarbonate) And Pc Blend

    8.4. PC (polycarbonate) and PC Blend Polycarbonate (PC) is a technical material boasting excellent strength, tensile strength, and resistance to high temperatures. It is however quite demanding to print, thus making it suitable mainly for advanced users. This of course does not apply to our Prusament PC Blend, which is much easier to print compared to other polycarbonates.

  • Page 56: Pvb

    8.5. PVB Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is a material that can be easily smoothed with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Prints, when properly set up, are clear and transparent, thus making PVB a suitable material for printing vases, lamp shades, and other decorative models. The printing settings are similar to those for PLA, but the mechanical properties of PVB are slightly better.

  • Page 57: Flexible Materials

    8.6. Flexible Materials Flexible filaments are typically very strong and elastic materials. In many cases, the classic hard plastic (PLA, PETG) may not be ideal or even completely unsuitable for certain models. Whether you are printing a phone case, a housing for an action camera or even wheels for an RC car, it is better to use a flexible material.

  • Page 58: Pa (Polyamide) / Pa11Cf

    8.7. PA (Polyamide) / PA11CF Polyamide (also known as Nylon) is a versatile material known for its durability and is commonly used for 3D printing special models due to its high difficulty in printing (not applicable to PA11CF) and higher costs. There are several types of polyamide, which differ in properties such as temperature resistance, water absorption and adhesion to different types of surfaces.

  • Page 59: Regular Maintenance

    9. Regular Maintenance The Original Prusa MK3.5 was designed from the beginning as a true print "workhorse". Despite its high reliability, it is still a device with mechanical components that require more or less regular maintenance. Follow the instructions below to keep your printer in perfect condition for as long as possible.

  • Page 60: Print Sheet With Smooth Pei Surface

    9.2. Print sheet with smooth PEI surface Correct usage: Risks and dangers: Prints from PETG would stick too strongly to Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (IPA) is the best option the sheet cleaned with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for degreasing. Do not use dermatological and removing it could damage the surface.

  • Page 61: Double-Sided Textured Print Sheet

    9.4.1. Double-Sided TEXTURED Print Sheet Surface resistant to damage and scratches The texture on the surface of the sheet is transferred to the bottom side of the printed object Simpler Z-axis calibration FLEX does not require glue (Kores / PVA gluestick) application to the print bed After the print sheet cools down, the print usually detaches itself PLA prints with small contact area may require a brim Large PLA prints may warp...

  • Page 62: Double-Sided Satin Print Sheet

    9.4.3. Double-Sided SATIN Print Sheet Suitable for PLA and PETG Soft texture on the bottom part of the print Only use quality isopropyl alcohol (90+ %) to clean FLEX requires the use of a glue separation layer (Kores / PVA glue stick) on the print sheet Wide range of supported materials, including advanced materials such as PC Blend and more Easy maintenance and good adhesion Do not use acetone! Acetone will damage the surface of the print sheet!

  • Page 63: Fans

    9.7. Fans The RPM (revolutions per minute) of both fans is constantly measured. This means that the printer will report an error if the fan suddenly slows down, for example due to a piece of filament stuck in it. In such a case, check and remove any dirt from the relevant fan. Do not try to bypass the RPM check - this could damage the printer! Both fans should be checked and cleaned after every few hundred hours of printing.

  • Page 64: Faq - Frequently Asked Questions And Basic Troubleshooting

    10. FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions and Basic Troubleshooting In case of a critical failure, the Original Prusa MK3.5 may display an error screen with short instructions on how to proceed. This screen contains a link to a detailed article on our Knowledge Base at help.prusa3d.com...

  • Page 65: The Filament Does Not Come Out Of The Nozzle

    10.2.3. The filament does not come out of the nozzle If the filament does not pass through the extruder and no plastic is being extruded, check the following: Open the idler on the side of the extruder to see if the filament strand reached the extruder gears and continues down into the nozzle See if the temperatures are set correctly (215 °C for PLA, 260 °C for ASA, etc.) Check if the fan on the side of the extruder is spinning...

  • Page 66: Filament Sensor

    Cannot access the Print menu after inserting the USB drive Restart the printer first Use a USB drive formatted to FAT32 with a single partition Try using a different USB drive If you have tried multiple USB drives and none of them can be read, there may be a problem with the mainboard.

  • Page 67: Loose Belts

    Sensor is defective If you have tried all the mentioned solutions without success, there is a possibility that the filament sensor is defective. In this case, please contact our support. 10.6. Loose Belts Check both belts to make sure they are properly tensioned. Loose belts can cause printing errors or prevent the printer from starting up.

  • Page 68: Reverting To An Older Firmware

    USB drive formatted with the FAT32 system. Insert the drive into the printer, press the restart button and once the Original Prusa MK3.5 logo appears on the screen, press the knob. This will activate the firmware update screen. Select “Flash” to reinstall the current firmware with the version from the USB drive.

  • Page 69: Advanced Hardware Troubleshooting

    Due to the length of the articles, it is not possible to include detailed troubleshooting guides in this handbook. However, the Original Prusa MK3.5 will display an error screen with a short recommendation on how to proceed further if it runs into a problem. This screen will also contain a link to a detailed article in our Knowledge Base at help.prusa3d.com.
  • Page 70 PRINT AND SHARE! JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! Download 3D models for free printables.com and participate in design contests! Follow us for tips, guides, inspiring videos and amazing 3D prints!

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