Prusa MK4: A deep dive into its key features and what it means for makers
Prusa Research has long been synonymous with reliability and open source excellence in desktop 3D printing. The successor to the popular MK3S+, the MK4 doesn’t just iterate; It leaps forward with a series of groundbreaking features designed for speed, convenience and print quality consistency. As a professional rapid prototyping manufacturer (GreatLight), we focus on producing high-precision metal parts through advanced SLM and machining processes, and we appreciate robust engineering. While our industrial machines can handle demanding metal prototypes, the MK4 definitely pushes the limits of what’s possible with desktop FDM printing. Let’s unveil its most important advancements.
Main features of Prusa MK4 explained
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Nextruder: the smart powerhouse
- what is it: Complete redesign of Prusa extruder components.
- Innovation: The star component is its integrated load cell. Unlike previous capacitive sensors that estimate nozzle height, load cells direct measurement The pressure exerted by the nozzle tip on the build plate during calibration. This means a near-perfect first layer of bonding without human intervention.
- Practical impact: Leaking at Borden tube connection? Gone. Manual Z offset adjustment? Drastic reduction. Filament stripping? High resistance due to better gear meshing and design. Nextruder delivers unparalleled first layer consistency and filament handling robustness. The quick-change nozzle system (using standard E3D V6 compatible nozzles) also significantly simplifies maintenance.
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Input Shaping: Increase printing speed without sacrificing performance
- what is it: An advanced vibration compensation algorithm originally popularized in high-speed printers such as Klipper.
- Innovation: The MK4’s firmware leverages its ARM Cortex-M7 processor to proactively analyze and compensate for vibration in real time. this offsets "ring" Artifacts (ghosting) caused by sudden changes in direction.
- Practical impact: Print "quality" There are noticeable fluctuations in pattern speed. "speed" mode is where it really shines – accelerating to Acceleration up to 15m/s², travel speed up to 600mm/s While maintaining surprisingly high surface quality on compatible geometries. Complex drapes may still require moderation, but simple features fly out of bed faster than before. It turns the MK4 from a reliable turtle into a faster hare.
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Automatic bed leveling and axis alignment (ABC)
- what is it: Complex multi-point calibration procedures.
- Innovation: Utilizing Nextruder’s load cells and onboard sensors, the MK4 can:
- Automatic mesh bed leveling: Create detailed height maps of the entire heated bed to compensate for distortions.
- Automatic axis calibration (XY): Measures and compensates for small changes in belt tension that affect X- and Y-axis movement accuracy – a key factor in dimensional accuracy.
- Practical impact: Plug and play reliability reaches a new level. Forget manual bed leveling knobs and tedious calibration prints. MK4 handles key setup steps automatically, significantly increasing confidence in a successful print from the start, especially important for larger builds.
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Next generation firmware and processor power
- what is it: Completely rewrite Prusa’s firmware to run on a more powerful processor.
- Innovation: MK3’s long-established 8-bit AVR is replaced by a powerful 32-bit ARMCortex-M7 Microcontrollers with additional dedicated hardware accelerators. This raw capability enables input shaping, faster load cell measurements, sophisticated sensor fusion for ABC, smoother motion planning, and faster interaction with the new LCD screen.
- Practical impact: The system is incredibly responsive. Menus scroll smoothly, complex previews are generated quickly, and the machine feels snappy and modern. This processing headroom also ensures that Prusa can continue to deliver significant feature enhancements through firmware updates in the coming years.
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Enhanced connectivity and status touch LCD
- what is it: Updates to how you interact with and monitor printers.
- Innovation:
- Connectivity: Onboard standard Wi-Fi and Ethernet eliminate USB stick clutter. Integrate with Prusa connection Allows remote queue management, monitoring and slicing directly from the web interface. PrusaLink provides LAN-based control.
- exhibit: Bright, crisp 4.3" A color LCD screen replaces the monochrome display. Most importantly, it preserves the physical Turn the encoder knob Provides tactile feedback during operation – a welcome design choice that prioritizes usability over sleek but less feature-rich touch-only interfaces.
- Practical impact: Truly modern connectivity opens the door to shop floor integration and remote workflows. The improved screen significantly enhances the user experience without compromising functionality.
- Sophisticated building platform and framework
- what is it: An incremental but valuable improvement to the core printer structure.
- Innovation: magnetic elastic bed Still great, but gets an enhanced surface coating formula for wider material compatibility and longer service life. The frame features different structural elements designed to increase rigidity at high speeds and slightly reduce the footprint.
- Practical impact: Excellent bed adhesion remains a Prusa hallmark. The stronger frame enables higher speeds with input shaping, reducing vibration transmission for sharper prints.
Conclusion: Setting a new desktop standard
The Prusa MK4 is more than just an upgrade; it’s a generational leap. Nextruder and load cells fundamentally change the first layer of calibration. Input shaping unlocks new performance layers without compromising quality. Automatic bed leveling and axis alignment provide unprecedented plug-and-play reliability. Combining powerful, modern firmware, robust connectivity and thoughtful design improvements, the MK4 sets a strong benchmark for accessible, high-performance desktop FDM printing.
MK4 is arguably the most comprehensive and user-friendly software package for hobbyists, educators, and professionals who need reliable, fast in-house plastic prototypes or functional parts. It retains Prusa’s famous open source ethos and ecosystem while pushing technology boundaries.
At GreatLight, we specialize in the other end of the prototyping world. While desktop printers like the MK4 excel in plastics and access, our advanced Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D printers produce high-strength, complex metal parts – from aerospace alloys to medical-grade titanium. We complement this with state-of-the-art post-processing (heat treatment, machining, finishing) to achieve true production-grade precision prototypes and end-use parts. If your project requires durability, thermal performance or microscopic detail that only metal can achieve, our industrial rapid prototyping solutions and comprehensive one-stop finishing services deliver unparalleled results. Whether you need complex plastic prototypes on your MK4 or certified metal components ready for deployment, understanding the benefits of each technology can ensure you choose the best path.
FAQ: Prusa MK4 Edition and above
Q1: Is Prusa MK4 worth upgrading from MK3(S/+)?
Answer: It depends on the situation. If you value a consistent first layer, crave faster print speeds without constant tinkering, appreciate WiFi/Ethernet connectivity, or want automatic axis calibration, then this is definitely it. If your MK3S+ currently reliably meets all your printing needs, an upgrade purely for speed may not be very attractive until a compelling MK4-only firmware feature becomes available.
Q2: How reliable is it? "Fully automatic" feature?
A: Based on extensive community feedback and testing, load cell based calibration is very reliable compared to capacitive proximity sensors. It measures pressure directly and is not easily affected by environmental factors. AXIS calibration also significantly improves dimensional accuracy. While rare hardware issues can occur (as with any printer), concept The automation here is powerful and efficient.
Q3: Will input shaping make all prints faster?
A: Significantly faster, but not always 600mm/sec burst speed. Basic shapes with less complex kinematics have the greatest acceleration effect. Models with complex directional changes or extensive overhangs may require more conservative speed settings to maintain surface quality. However, even modest speed improvements on challenging models often produce better results than no input shaping.
Q4: Can MK4 print exotic filaments?
Answer: Very good! With its rugged Nextruder design, capable of reliably handling higher temperatures (up to 300°C on the hot end) and easy hardened nozzle replacement,
