Prusa MK3 E3D Volcano Mod

thingiverse

It's incredibly simple to utilize an E3D volcano with your Prusa MK3 - all you require is one component. This component, a replacement extruder cover, necessitates no additional hardware modifications. You can even get away with just a volcano heater block and nozzle - the heater cartridge and thermistor cartridge used in the E3Dv6 hotend can be reused if desired. The volcano heater block will attach directly to the existing heat break without any issues. Simply transfer the square nut and hex nut used in the stock extruder cover into this new one, screw it on, reattach the print cooling fan and nozzle, adjust the PINDA probe so it is about the thin part of a ziptie higher than the nozzle tip, and that's all there is to it! You will need to recompile the firmware, which is actually quite easy. You can compile and upload it to your printer with one click using the Arduino IDE. Instructions and download links for the firmware source code and the right version of the Arduino IDE are available on the official Prusa3D github page. You need to change one line in the file which you've copied from the variants folder and named Configuration_prusa.h. Find the line towards the beginning of the file (currently line 64) that says #define Z_MAX_POS 210. Change the number 210 to 202, so the line now reads #define Z_MAX_POS 202. This tells your printer to accommodate the extra 8.5 mm of height the volcano hotend has. Save the changes, compile, flash the firmware, and you're ready to go! You will probably want to go to Calibration->Calibrate Z Axis to ensure your height is dialed in correctly, and re-run Calibration->First Layer Calibration. Once those two final bits are complete, you can resume using your Prusa MK3 just as you had been before. **Final note:** If you're not getting the plastic flow rates you were expecting and you use Slic3r as your slicer, it's probably because of the volumetric limit for a given filament. Go to the filament settings tab, select the Advanced section, and find the setting labeled 'Max volumetric speed.' Take whatever number is there, triple (yes, triple) it, and that is a good starting point for the Volcano. You will also need to increase your extrusion width, layer height, or print speed, or any combination thereof, to really benefit from the plastic riot hose you've installed. I find the 0.4mm volcano nozzle works well for me - you can use extrusion widths as wide as 1mm even with a 0.4mm nozzle without issue. Enjoy!