8. Preflight check

Relevant for:

MK4S

Last updated 3 months ago

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Available languages

Step 1 Attaching the steel sheet

Make sure there is nothing on the heatbed. The heatbed must be clean. Any dirt can damage the surface of both the heatbed and the steel sheet.

⬢Attach the sheet by first aligning the rear cutout with the locking pins on the back of the heated bed. Hold the sheet by the front two corners and slowly lay it down onto the heated bed - watch your fingers!

⬢Keep the steel sheet clean for optimum performance.

⬢#1 cause of prints detaching from the print surface is a greasy steel sheet. Use IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) to degrease it if you have touched its surface before.

We are using a steel sheet with a smooth surface. However, the same procedure applies to other variants.

Step 2 First run

⬢Insert the USB drive included in your kit into your printer.

The included USB drive contains the latest firmware file.

⬢Connect the power cable and connect the printer into a wall outlet.

⬢Turn the printer on using the switch on the back.

The printer will now detect if a new firmware file is available on the USB drive.

⬢If the "New firmware available" screen appears, hit FLASH by pressing the rotary knob to upgrade to the latest firmware.

⬢If no such message appears, the printer is running the latest firmware already. Proceed to the next step.

Step 3 Printer setup

⬢After upgrading to the newer firmware, the printer will give you a choice of languages and then the welcome screen.

⬢Hit OK to setup the printer.

⬢On the Printer setup screen, select your printer type if it is not already set as the default.

⬢Leave the other items unchanged unless you have installed custom parts on the printer (e.g., nozzle with a different diameter, silicone sock removal).

⬢Hit Done to complete the printer setup.

Step 4 Network setup: Wi-Fi connection (Optional)

The Network setup screen will take you through connecting to a Wi-Fi network. However, if you don't want to connect your printer now, you can do so at any time later. In that case, hit No on the screen and skip this step.

⬢If you want to connect your printer to a Wi-Fi network, hit Yes.

⬢On the following screen, you will be instructed to upload your Wi-Fi credentials (Wi-Fi name and password) via our mobile application (recommended).

The Prusa app is available for download on the App Store for iOS and Google Play Store for Android. For more about the Prusa app, read the article Prusa Mobile App.

⬢However, if you prefer to use another method to enter your Wi-Fi credentials, select Cancel and chose other method from the list on the next screen.

All methods for connecting the printer to the network are described in the Network Connection article.

⬢To send Wi-Fi credentials via the mobile app, follow the instructions on the printer screen. The transfer is via NFC, so when prompted by the app, hold your phone close to the NFC antenna at a maximum of 2-3 cm away.

⬢After successful data transfer, you will be prompted on the printer to confirm and then connect.

Step 5 Network setup: Prusa Connect (Optional)

The next Network setup screen will offer to add the printer to Prusa Connect. If you do not want to add the printer to Prusa Connect now, you can do so at any time later. Hit No and skip this step.

For more about read the article Prusa Connect and PrusaLink explained.

⬢To continue with the instructions to add the printer to Prusa Connect, hit Yes. And follow the instructions on the printer screen. Ensure you have the Prusa mobile app ready on your phone.

Step 6 Wizard - Selftest start

⬢The printer will prompt you to run selftests and calibrations for all important components. The entire process takes a few minutes, with some parts requiring direct user interaction.

NOTE: While testing the axes, make sure that there is nothing in the printer obstructing the axes movement.

WARNING: Do not touch the printer during the self-test unless prompted! Some parts of the printer may be HOT and moving at high speed.

⬢The wizard starts with the fan check, Z-axis alignment and the X&Y axis test; all fully automatic.

⬢Hit Yes to run the selftests and calibratons.

Step 7 Wizard - Loadcell Test

⬢The next step of the wizard will prompt you to touch the nozzle to test and calibrate the Loadcell. During this procedure, the parts of the printer are not heated up so that you can touch them. Click Continue.

⬢Do not touch the nozzle yet, wait until prompted by the Tap nozzle NOW message.

⬢Tap the nozzle from below. In case the Loadcell does not detect the touch, you will be prompted to repeat the step. Otherwise, you will see Loadcell test passed OK when it succeeds.

Step 8 Wizard - Gearbox Alignment

⬢Once you get to the Gearbox Alignment part, select Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.

⬢Undo the idler lock (swivel), then open the idler door.

⬢Loosen the three screws on the front of the gearbox by 1.5 turns.

The printer will go through the automatic gearbox alignment. This process can’t be seen from the outside.

⬢Once prompted, tighten the three screws in the pattern indicated on the screen.

Step 9 Wizard - Filament Sensor Calibration

⬢During the filament sensor calibration, you will need to use a short piece of filament. Prepare the filament and select Continue. There should be no filament inside the extruder before the start of the calibration process.

There should be no filament inside the extruder before the calibration process starts.

⬢Once prompted to, insert the filament end into the opening on top of the extruder.

⬢Remove the filament after the calibration finishes.

Step 10 Wizard complete

⬢Only after all selftests and calibrations are successfully completed you can almost begin printing, but wait. Hit Continue.

Step 11 Reward yourself!

⬢It looks like you have successfully assembled and connected everything. No doubt ;). Congratulations! You deserve a big reward for that. Eat all the remaining gummy bears... and don't forget to share with those who supported you during the assembly.

Did you know that Haribo gummy bears are one of the most important parts of the Original Prusa printers assembly instructions.

Step 12 Loading a filament

⬢Add a spool or a sample of your favourite filament onto either side of the spool holder.

⬢Guide the filament end through the filament guide into the extruder. Using the filament guide prevents filament tangling.

⬢Once a filament is detected, the printer will load it automatically. It is important to select the correct type of filament you are using on the screen. We recommend using PLA material for the first test print.

⬢The printer will purge some of the material through the nozzle. Confirm its color is clear by selecting YES on the screen and remove the leftover plastic from below the nozzle.

Proceed carefully, the nozzle is now very HOT! Do not touch it with your bare hands!

Step 13 Printable 3D models

⬢The printer is now ready to print!

⬢You can start by printing some of our test objects from the bundled USB drive.

⬢The sample objects are also available on the official Prusa Research Printables profile

Step 14 Firmware update

All shipped kit units have the latest firmware version. However, it is recommended to check and possibly upgrade the firmware version.

⬢Visit the help.prusa3D.com page.

⬢Navigate to the Original Prusa MK4S page.

⬢Save the firmware file (.bbf) onto the bundled USB drive.

Pro tip: To access MK4S homepage you can use the URL: prusa.io/mk4s

Step 15 PrusaSlicer for MK4S

⬢Ready to print your own models?

⬢Visit help.prusa3d.com once again. Download and install the latest Drivers & Apps package onto your computer. This package includes the PrusaSlicer app.

⬢Open the PrusaSlicer app. If you’re running it for the first time, Configuration Wizard will show up. Visit the Prusa FFF tab in the Wizard, select Original Prusa MK4S in the 0.4mm nozzle version (the default nozzle size) and hit Finish to start using the MK4S printer profile.

⬢Make sure the Original Prusa MK4S is selected in the Printer menu on the right, when slicing for the MK4S.

⬢Import a model of your choice into PrusaSlicer, adjust the settings if needed, hit Slice and export the G-code file onto the USB drive to print it on your MK4S..