The number of 3D printer products on the market has increased dramatically in recent years, with new and updated models emerging on a larger scale. Interestingly, some stand out as highly powerful, and Prusa 3D printers are one of them.

The Brains Behind Prusa

Prusa is one of the world's leading manufacturers of 3D printers. It continuously enhances every element of its open-source ecosystem, via hardware and software. As a result, consumers love their product lines more and more. This is all possible through Josef Prusa, a Czech hobbyist, the brains behind the Prusa Research that started in 2012.

Today, Josef Prusa is one of the most iconic figures of the 3D printing industry. His interest in 3D printers began during his studies at the University of Economics in Prague when he was still a student in 2009. Just at that time, he regarded 3D printing as nothing but a phenomenally modern technology capable of alteration and advancement. Josef then became a part of the free-open source RepRap project, and everything went on the road to his success.

History of Prusa

The origins of Prusa research attest to a very humble beginning. The launch was slow but fascinating. There have been no supporters, nor did there exist any successful Kickstarter promotions, it is nothing more than a vision and a man's plan to pursue 3D printing technology. 

As days progressed, attributable to its open-source creation, Prusa i3 design has become one of the most major leading designs used by many developers and enthusiasts around the global community. 

Today, there are over 600 Prusa Research employees that are working smartly together to ship over 9000 quota printers every month. Thus, with a growth rate of 17118% in the last four years, Prusa Research emerged as the world's most expanding technology company in Central Europe with the top 1 position in Deloitte's 2019 DeloitteTech award, with a growth rate of 4527%.

In the current period, Prusa is still creating and delivering their operating systems and network structures. Here are some of the best and leading 3D models originally created by Prusa Research.

Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D Printer

  • Printing Technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
  • Printing Materials: PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA/BVOH, HIPS, PP, Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill, and other filled materials
  • Build Volume: 250 x 210 x 210 mm

Highlights:

  • Boasts an EINSY RAMBo 8-bit board with Trinamic 2130 drivers (256 micro-stepping), which was co-developed with Ultimachine, as well as sensorless homing for the X and Y axes.
  • Features an integrated, high-quality SuperPINDA sensor (Super Prusa INDuction Auto leveling sensor).
  • Provides an integrated IR sensor that supports auto-loading filament, sheet profiles, and compatibility with octoprint.
  • Can completely recover from a power outage and resume printing immediately where it dropped off.
  • Its firmware supports the storing of Live Z calibration data by printing profiles to quickly move between the various printable sheets.
  • Comes with an internal extruder with Bondtech gears and an E3D-V6 hot end, including an aluminum Y-axis extrusion system.
  • Supported by Prusa's open-source slicing software, PrusaSlicer
  • Offers a new range of metal clips for genuine MISUMI bearings on the Y-axis
  • Features a replaceable print sheet as well as three different print surfaces: smooth, textured, and satin.

Verdict:

Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D Printer is the most advanced upgrade of Prusa's award-winning 3D printers. The Prusa I3+ is the upgraded model of Prusa i3 MK2 that boasts previous features such as a removable PEI spring steel heat bed, auto bed leveling, filament sensor, and power-failure recovery. And with its newly-designed SuperPINDA probe, it provides a superior 3D desktop printing experience for better first-layer calibration, high-quality, Misumi bearings as well as other beneficial model modifications to simplify the assembling and maintenance of the 3D printer. Indeed, Prusa has created the best 3D printer yet, with i3 MK3S+’s reconstructed extruder, a range of sensors as well as a new magnetic MK52 heating sheet with exchangeable PEI spring steel print!


Prusa SL1 3D Printer

  • Printing Technology: MSLA (Masked Stereolithography Apparatus)
  • Printing Materials: UV Sensitive Liquid Resin (405 nm), Third-Party Resins Supported
  • Build Volume: 120 × 68 × 150 mm

Highlights:

  • Comes with a 5.5-inch LCD with high resolution and Trinamic drivers with auto-homing that enable silent operation.
  • Boasts maximum PrusaSlicer support, as well as a large library of tested resin.
  • Built with an aluminum body that is rigid, heavy and minimizes vibration, and provides optimal printing performance.
  • Provides safety features, like a sensor resin level.
  • Highlights a fully open-source framework with third-party resin support.
  • Fitted with non-proprietary technology that lowers operating costs and simplifies printer maintenance.
  • Its tilt platform has a small ridge to avoid light resin spills, and the acrylic glass lid prevents UV light leakage.
  • Compatible with a diverse selection of resins.
  • The interactive calibration wizard is highlighted for quick and simple calibration.
  • With touch controls and network features, 3D printing is now faster, safer, and more convenient than ever before.

Verdict:

If you're searching for a printer that can generate prints that are comparable to the injection molding process, your struggle comes to an end with this Prusa SL1 3D printer. It uses the MSLA process and is well-equipped with a bright, high-resolution LCD as well as a UV LED panel to track printing quality for better performance. This 3D printer stands out at a comparable price because it does not sacrifice efficiency when printing in the same amount of time as other printers. Its remarkable capabilities enable you to enhance your imagination and enhance your mind in the realm of 3D printing in a very simple, personalized, and convenient way. With its impressive features, outstanding technological requirements, and exceptional print quality, the Prusa SL1 3D Printer was without any doubt captured a tremendous potential impact in a very short space of time.


Prusa Mini+ 3D Printer

  • Printing Technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
  • Printing Materials: PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, Flex
  • Build Volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm

Highlights:

  • Offers a fully-equipped 3D printer in a compact frame, with a build volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm.
  • Boasts a sensorless homing, mesh bed automatic calibration, replacement nozzles, network accessibility, LAN and USB printing, as well as an LCD full-color display.
  • Highlights a new 32-bit custom-built board and Trinamic 2209 silent drivers.
  • Can simply remove a printed item by bending the steel sheet with the heatbed and the removable spring steel sheets.
  • Has three thermistors and a range of secure printing features.
  • Comes with Prusa's open-source slicing software, PrusaSlicer.

Verdict:

The Prusa Mini+ 3D Printer is a powerful 3D printer in a small package. It was developed to be an accurate 3D printer that provides the same degree of dependability and consistency as the majority of the Original Prusa models. This new Prusa Mini+, like the latest Prusa i3 MK3S+, has a  comparatively minor upgrade, introducing performance enhancements and minor technical adjustments yet keeping the printer's quality and performance unchanged. The most remarkable upgrade on this  Mini+ is the integration of the PINDA 2 (SuperPINDA) and induction-leveled bed leveling sensor. Without a doubt, the Prusa Mini+ would open up a whole new range of possibilities for your 3D printing journey, allowing you to finish tasks that your former printers couldn't.

Finding the Right Prusa 3D

type

There are various types of 3D printers. The most popular are FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), DLP (Digital Light Processing), SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), and MSLA (Masked Stereolithography). The Prusa i3 MK3S+ and Mini+ both use FDM technology, while the SL1 3D employs the MSLA system. Keep in mind that, as of now, no Prusa 3D printer is fully standardized and appropriate for all purposes. That's why it is critical to determine whether or for what purpose you will be using the device.

build volume

The build volume, as with other brands of 3D printers, refers to the amount of space you have to design your creations. Understand that it could be a waste of resources to get a 3D printer with a larger area than you need. Bear in mind that though build volume is critical, some models perform best at their small volume capacity. This is true as a versatile 3D printer in a compact box with small volume arrived as the Prusa Mini+ 3D Printer.

printing speed

To find the right Prusa 3D printer, you need to be able to choose from several speeds and resolutions. Keep in mind that the perfect 3D printer offers a wide variety of printing speeds and control options. As a result, select the option that best suits your project.

ease of use

When purchasing a new Prusa 3D printer, the software, assembly, and bed leveling are all essential considerations to remember. Bear in mind that the Prusa 3D printer has a sleek design that maintains the same degree of dependability. It comes in three parts, which you must assemble before running the calibration and printing.

Prusa 3D Printers - FAQs

How much electricity does a Prusa printer consume?

At 26 degrees Celsius room temperature, the power usage is 80 watts while printing in PLA filament and 120 watts while printing in ABS filament.

How long is the printer's usable life?

Prusa 3D printers have an estimated maintenance interval of around 800 hours of printing. Bear in mind that the nozzle needs to be replaced once it requires maintenance.

What is Prusa's printing accuracy?

A well-assembled Prusa printer has an accuracy of 0.1 mm on the Z-axis as well as 0.3 mm on X and Y axes. It can be as small as 0.05 mm per axis after the printer calibration process.

Does a Prusa 3D printer need a lot of space?

It depends on the product dimension. Please note that when using Mini+ and MK3S+ 3D printers, additional space is needed because the heatbed is externally transitioning.

Author

Santi Bongco is an editor at SolidSmack which is the leading site for 3D CAD, robots, cool product designs, and other technologies. For the past seven years, he taught robotics and developed innovative 3D printer ideas with his students. He also helped in developing some innovative digital ideas and products for various digital marketing businesses and big companies in Asia. Now, aside from exploring buffet restos in California, he enjoys leading groups of our in-house experts in trying some of your favorite products and electronic brands to write insightful reviews for you. PS: He loves reviewing appliances and taking them home to personally ‘try’ them.