Josef prusa PRUSA RESEARCH MINI User manual
3D PRINTING
HANDBOOK
USER MANUAL FOR ORIGINAL PRUSA MINI
ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS
ENG
Original Instructions: Basic Info
Please always refer to the www.prusa3d.com/drivers/
for an updated version of this 3D printing handbook (PDF download).
Failure to read the handbook may lead to personal injury, inferior results, or damage to the 3D printer. Always ensure that
anyone who operates the 3D printer knows and understands the contents of the Manual/Handbook. We cannot control the
conditions in which you assemble the Original Prusa MINI. For this, and other reasons, we do not assume responsibility, and
expressly disclaim liability for loss, injuries, damage, or expense arising out of, or in any way connected with, the assembly,
handling, storage, use or disposal of the product. The information in this handbook is provided without any warranty, expressed
or implied, regarding its correctness.
Translated versions of the handbook will be available at:
•Czech: www.prusa3d.cz/ovladace/
•French: www.prusa3d.fr/drivers/
•German: www.prusa3d.de/treiber/
•Polish: prusa3d.pl/sterowniki/
•Italian: www.prusa3d.it/driver/
•Spanish: www.prusa3d.es/drivers-y-manuales/
QUICK GUIDE TO THE FIRST PRINT
1. Read chapter 6 Your First Print carefully
2. Place the assembled printer on a flat and stable surface
3. Start the printer, insert the enclosed USB drive and update the firmware
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the printer
5. Print a sample object
Important notice, tip, hint or information that helps you print with ease.
Read carefully! This part of the text has the greatest importance - either for user safety or for
proper printer service.
How to contact Prusa Research tech support:
First, check the last chapters of this handbook for troubleshooting guides, or visit help.prusa3d.com
for a complete list of common issues, print quality troubleshooting and other guides. If your problem
is not listed there, or the solution does not work, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or
use the Live chat at shop.prusa3d.com. Try to explain your problem as thoroughly as possible.
Handbook version 1.04 from August 9th, 2020
About the author
Josef Prusa (born Feb 23rd, 1990) became interested in the 3D printing phenomenon before joining
Prague’s University of Economics in 2009 - at first, it was a hobby, a new technology open to
changes and improvements. The hobby soon became a passion and Josef grew into one of the
leading developers of Adrien Bowyer’s international, open-source, RepRap project. Today, you can
see the Prusa design in different versions all around the world, it is one of the most popular printers
and thanks to it, knowledge about the 3D printing technology significantly increased among the
public.
All 3D printers by Josef Prusa are open-source and based on the RepRap philosophy - you can use
your 3D printer to produce parts for building another 3D printer.
The lineup of Original Prusa devices is constantly expanded with new machines and upgrades. The
main goal is to make technology more accessible and understandable to all users.
Josef Prusa also organizes workshops for the public, participates in professional conferences
dedicated to the popularization of 3D printing. For example, he lectured at the TEDx conference in
Prague and Vienna, at World Maker Faire in New York, Maker Faire in Rome or at the Open Hardware
Summit hosted by MIT. Josef also teaches Arduino at Charles University and was also a lecturer at
the Academy of Arts in Prague.
In his own words, he imagines 3D printers will be available in every home in the not-too-distant
future. “If anything is needed, you can simply print it. In this field, you just push the boundaries every
day… We're glad you're part of it with us!”
Josef Průša
3
1 Introduction 9
2 Glossary 10
3 Package contents - Accessories (bundled / optional) 11
4 Handling / Transporting the printer 11
5 Quick-Start Info 12
5.1 Disconnecting the power supply 13
5.2 How to contact tech support 13
5.3 Unpacking, assembly and first start 13
6 Your first print 14
6.1 Basic controls 14
6.2 Updating the firmware 15
6.3 Preparing flexible steel sheets 15
6.4 Calibration Wizard 16
6.5 Selftest 16
6.6 Loading and unloading the filament 16
6.7 First Layer Calibration 18
6.8 Checklist 19
6.9 Starting the first print 19
6.10 Removing the print 20
6.11 After-print checks and actions 20
7 Advanced features 21
7.1 Menu structure 21
7.2 Mesh Bed Leveling explained 22
7.3 Factory reset 22
7.4 Network connections 22
8 Printing your own models 23
8.1 Obtaining a printable model 24
8.2 Creating your own models 24
8.3 What is a G-code file? 24
8.4 PrusaSlicer 24
8.5 Importing objects into PrusaSlicer 26
8.6 Using supports 27
8.7 Print speed vs Print quality 28
8.8 Infill 29
8.9 Brim 29
8.10 Large object printing 29
8.11 Print multi-colored objects 31
8.12 Slicing, exporting 32
9 Material guide 32
9.1 PLA 32
9.2 PET/PETG 33
9.3 ASA/ABS 34
9.4 Flex 35
10 Regular Maintenance 35
10.1 Steel sheets 35
10.2 Spring steel sheet with TEXTURED double-sided PEI 37
10.3 Spring steel sheet with SMOOTH double-sided PEI 37
10.4 Increasing the adhesion 37
10.5 Bearings 38
10.6 Fans 38
10.7 Extruder drive gear 38
10.8 PTFE tubes 39
10.9 Filament sensor (optional accessory) 39
10.9.1 Running out of filament 40
10.9.2 False sensor readings and debugging 40
10.10 Nozzle cleaning 41
10.11 Replacing / changing the nozzle 42
10.12 Flashing unsigned firmware 43
11 FAQ - common issues and how to solve them 44
11.1 Skewed X-axis 44
11.2 Printer can’t read the USB drive 45
11.3 Loose X- and/or Y-axis belts 45
11.4 Filament stuck in the PTFE tube 45
11.5 X-Axis homing fails 45
11.6 Heating errors 45
11.7 Fan errors 45
11.8 Downgrading the firmware 46
12 Advanced hardware troubleshooting 46
13 Print quality troubleshooting 46
Information about functionality, correct usage and maintenance of this device
can be found in this handbook and online at help.prusa3d.com.
The device must be disconnected from the power supply (power adapter),
before performing any kind of service. Consult the handbook before
performing maintenance on the device.
Extra care must be taken when handling or touching parts marked with this
symbol. Avoid risks specified by other symbols, e.g. dangerous hot surfaces.
The temperature of parts marked with this symbol can exceed the ambient
temperature significantly. Touching such parts may by an unprotected body
part may lead to burns.
Unprotected moving mechanical parts, exercise caution.
Do not touch the print head during printing. There is a risk of injury caused by
mechanical and/or heated parts.
Large electrical currents are switched on and off in the immediate vicinty
of parts marked with symbol. Persons with a pacemaker or other aids for
controlling and monitoring heart function must exercise caution - consult your
doctor about the use of this device.
This device is composed of components, which must be disposed of in
accordance with electrical and electronic equipment waste directive.
6
Product details
Title: Original Prusa MINI
Manufacturer: Prusa Research a.s., Partyzánská 188/7A, Prague, 170 00, Czech Republic
Contact e-mail: [email protected]
EEE group: 3 (IT and/or telecommunication equipment), Device use: indoor only
Power supply: AC/DC switching adaptor, input 100-240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz, 2.0 A / Max output 24
V, 6.67 A, 160 W MAX
Fuse: min. B16A (for EU)
Protection: IP20
Working temperature range: 18 °C - 38 °C, indoor use only
Working humidity: 85 % or less
Compatible filaments: 1.75 mm only
Package weight (gross / net): 7.6 kg / 4.85 kg
The serial number is located on the printer frame and also on the packaging.
This device can be safely used only indoors, where the device (especially its PSU and LAN socket)
is protected against external environmental risks.
Warranty
The pre-assembled Original Prusa MINI 3D printer is covered by a 24-month warranty for end
customers in the EU and 12 months for businesses and non-EU customers. Wear and tear category
components and consumables are excluded from this warranty.
The warranty period begins with the day when the customer receives the goods. Neither the Seller's
liability for defective products nor the quality warranty applies to printers or parts damaged by
handling, which is in conflict with the instructions and recommendations in the official manuals and
guides, or improper handling caused by unofficial modifications, such as modifications to hardware
or software.
Licensing
The Original Prusa MINI printer is a part of the RepRap project, the first open-source 3D printer
project free to use under a GNU GPL v3 license (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html). If you
improve or alter any part of, a printer, and you are willing to sell it, then you have to publish the
source code under the same license. All 3D-printed elements of the printer that can be improved
upon can be found at www.prusa3d.com/prusa-i3-printable-parts.
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Please be very cautious during any interaction with the printer. This printer is an electrical
device with moving and high-temperature parts.
1. The device is for indoor use only. Do not expose the printer to rain or snow. Always keep
the printer in a dry environment at a minimum distance of 30 cm from other objects. Make
sure none of the vents/fan outlets are blocked.
2. Always place the printer on a stable place, where it cannot fall or tip over.
3. The printer supply is household power outlet 230 VAC, 50 Hz or 110 VAC / 60 Hz. Never
connect the printer to a different power supply; it may cause malfunction or damage to the
printer.
4. Place the power cord so you cannot stumble over it, step on it, or otherwise expose it to any
potential damage. Also, make sure that the power cord is not mechanically or otherwise
damaged. If so, stop using the damaged power cord immediately and replace it.
5. When you disconnect the power cord from the socket, pull the plug rather than the cord to
reduce the risk of damage to the plug or to the AC outlet. The plug that goes into the printer
has a safety locking mechanism: first pull the cover of the plug to unlock it, then disconnect
the plug from the printer
6. Never disassemble the printer’s power supply; it does not contain any parts that could be
repaired by an unskilled worker. All repairs must be performed by a qualified technician.
7. Do not reach inside the printer while it is still in operation. An injury may be caused by its
moving parts, heated elements or electrical current.
8. Prevent children from unsupervised access to the printer even when the printer is not
printing.
9. Do not leave the printer unattended while it's still on!
10. The plug serves as a disconnecting element
11. The power outlet must be easily accessible
12. Caution! During operation, the heatbed and parts of print head may get very hot! Do not
touch them until the print is finished and the device cools down!
13. Caution! There is a risk of injury from uncovered moving mechanical parts! Do not touch
them until the print is finished!
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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Original Prusa MINI 3D printer from Josef Prusa! Your purchase
supports us in the further development of the MINI and other devices. Original Prusa MINI is our
compact, smart and affordable 3D printer, which was designed as a 3D printing workhorse
and a great starter printer. We hope you will enjoy using it! Please, read the handbook carefully,
since all chapters contain valuable info regarding the operation of the equipment, getting-started
instructions, 3D printing tips and everything about regular maintenance.
Please check the prusa3d.com/drivers page for the updated version of this 3D printing
handbook (PDF download).
In case of any printer-related problem, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We
are glad to receive your valuable comments and tips. You can also visit our knowledge base at
help.prusa3d.com and forums at forum.prusaprinters.org.
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2 Glossary
1. Spring steel sheet - comes in two variants, smooth and textured. This is where the printed
object appears. Please read the maintenance instructions carefully to ensure optimal conditions
for 3D printing.
2. Heatbed - located directly under the spring steel sheet. Heatbed ensures good adhesion of the
printed object. Warning: do not touch the heatbed when it’s hot!
3. Y-Axis - the general name for the entire heatbed assembly (smooth rods, belt, heatbed…).
4. Knob - main control of the Original Prusa MINI 3D printer: rotate left/right to scroll through
options, press the knob to confirm your selection. There’s a reset switch directly next to the
knob. Press it to perform a hard reset.
5. LCD screen - the display is used for the configuration of the 3D printer. Use the knob to scroll
through the menus and confirm your selection with the press of the knob.
6. Power switch - when the printer is not in use, turn it off using the power switch.
7. USB port - compatible with USB 2.0/3.0 flash drives (FAT32 filesystem). Used for reading
print files (G-Codes) from the inserted drive and flashing the firmware.
8. Main PTFE tube - leads the filament strand from the extruder into the print head / nozzle.
Inspect it from time to time to make sure there is no debris inside that would prevent the
filament strand from reaching the nozzle.
9. Tube fitting - on both ends of the main PTFE tube. In case filament gets stuck in the PTFE
tube, use a spanner (included with the printer) to remove the fittings and the PTFE tube to get
access to the filament strand.
10. Print fan - cools the printed object, improves print quality. Comes with RPM monitoring.
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