Prusa i3 Mk2

The Prusa i3 Mk2 is an FDM 3D printer from Prusa3D with a 250 x 210 x 210 mm build volume.

Calibration

• Manual Bed Leveling

Step: Begin by powering on the printer and heating the bed to 60°C (for PLA) or 110°C (for ABS). Use the printer’s menu to access the bed leveling function. Manually adjust the four corner screws until the nozzle is approximately 0.1 mm from the bed surface. Use a piece of paper to test the gap: there should be slight resistance when sliding the paper between the nozzle and bed.

Common defects

• Hardware defects and mechanical weaknesses

Symptom: The extruder gear wears out over time, causing under-extrusion and filament grinding.

Cause: The stock extruder gear is made of nylon, which degrades when printing abrasive materials like carbon fiber or metal-filled filaments.

Solution: Replace the gear with a hardened steel or tungsten carbide variant. Lubricate the extruder pinion regularly to reduce friction.

What it is used for

The Prusa i3 Mk2 excels in scenarios requiring precision, modularity, and cost-effectiveness. It is particularly well-suited for:

• Educational and DIY Projects: The printer’s open-source design and affordability make it ideal for classrooms and hobbyists. Students can learn mechanical engineering principles by assembling and calibrating the printer.