I just watched a video on YouTube where you demonstrated a new version of the 3D Chameleon (Mk4?). Will this be the version I'll be purchasing? Thanks!
If your 3D Chameleon came with the Bowden Tube Cutting tool, you have the Mk4 hardware. If you didn't notice it than remove the top cover from your 3D Chameleon. If it says "A+ 4" on the inside than you have the MK4 hardware. You will be able to upgrade to MK4 with a firmware update.
I made the mistake of assuming mine would be the Mk3 hardware so I printed the Mk4 parts to upgrade it when it arived. To my pleasent surprise, I received the updated hardware!
So I've just recently purchased 4 of these from Bill. I'm assuming they are MK3's with MK4 hardware. Where can I get info on upgrading the firmware to make them MK4's? The advantages in that video is great, setting up and calibration seems will be much easier.
Ok... there is a lot of confusion about what was shown in that video. It was a preview of our upcoming Mk4 series.
The Mk4 will come in two versions... the Mk4 and the Mk4 Pro. The current Mk3 (since October) is identical to the Mk4 (base) except for the firmware, that is the ONLY difference. It was already silently upgraded to the Mk4 hardware back in October. Again, the only difference will be the firmware, which is, as always, a free upgrade. (All Mk2 and Mk3 users can already print the parts and perform the upgrade to the Mk4 hardware here: https://www.printables.com/model/354998-3dchameleon-mk4-upgrade-parts-with-ptfe-grip)
There will be some additional features that are in the Mk4 Pro (which won't be introduced until RMRRF), and that video shows some of them. But, as always, the Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4 will be upgradable to the Mk4 Pro. However, because there is significant new hardware included in that kit, the pricing difference will be charged over the Mk3/Mk4s current $179. Pricing or shipping details of that upgrade are not available yet.
I don't see a response to your question, so in case you didn't see it somewhere else: the "Mk4 Pro" is not going to be a single purchasable unit. It will, instead, be a series of optional add-ons (for example, the 4-way filament runout sensor, the servo-based clippy, a 4-spool filament "dry box" complete with buffers, etc). None of it will be sold through the 3D Chameleon website. Instead, they will give you 1: the firmware update to install to make it function (free), 2: the STLs to print for that specific piece (free, but you have to use your own filament), and 3: a BOM (Bill of Materials) for all the components (bolts/nuts, etc ... and most importantly it'll include which expansion board/chip to buy and places to source it from). Ironically, the most expensive part seems to be the I2C board that will allow more than one add-on to be plugged in, and even that's only going to be around $10. So there is no reason to wait. Everything you will ever be able to buy directly from 3dC is already available to buy. You will need to upgrade the firmware to Mk4 (and also install the firmware for whatever optional component you choose to add) later, but it's supposed to be pretty easy to do.
It turns out I misunderstood about the "I2C board" ... that's to add extra I/O which allows for a 4-way filament runout sensor. It's not needed for the other add-ons. I learned that from a comment Bill made on this post: https://www.3dchameleon.com/forum/support/eta-for-v4-add-ons
I was originally basing that misunderstanding on comments Bill made (mainly when he said "we have several open source options that will be available and are supported by the board you have through the I2C interface", which it turns out means the EXISTING I2C that comes with the Mk3 kit, not the expansion one he mentioned elsewhere) on this post: https://www.3dchameleon.com/forum/support/which-stepper-drivers-come-on-the-mk4-boards
As for what exactly "Mk4 Pro" means, and the costs for the pieces that are part of the add-ons (I forgot about the automated Clippy probably costing $15 because I already had a servo laying around), that's mostly from things Bill said in several videos I watched, but he also posted the same comments in this post: https://www.3dchameleon.com/forum/support/upgrading-mk3-to-mk4-pro
Does that answer all the questions you have? If needed I can attempt to find and copy/paste exact quotes, or if I missed something I can try to hunt down more comments by Bill himself or even videos that I based my description on.
Pic taken at Bill's booth...
This chat between Bill and West3D about MK4 was helpful...
fwiw, captured/shared my notes at https://forum.v1e.com/t/mp3dp-v4-mod-azas-3d-chameleon-mk3-mk4-mmu/43578#mk4-overview-news-2
Bill confirmed via email that the MK 3 wil be upgraded in April to the MK 4 firmware :) Thats awesome news!
So I've just recently purchased 4 of these from Bill. I'm assuming they are MK3's with MK4 hardware. Where can I get info on upgrading the firmware to make them MK4's? The advantages in that video is great, setting up and calibration seems will be much easier.
Ok... there is a lot of confusion about what was shown in that video. It was a preview of our upcoming Mk4 series.
The Mk4 will come in two versions... the Mk4 and the Mk4 Pro. The current Mk3 (since October) is identical to the Mk4 (base) except for the firmware, that is the ONLY difference. It was already silently upgraded to the Mk4 hardware back in October. Again, the only difference will be the firmware, which is, as always, a free upgrade. (All Mk2 and Mk3 users can already print the parts and perform the upgrade to the Mk4 hardware here: https://www.printables.com/model/354998-3dchameleon-mk4-upgrade-parts-with-ptfe-grip)
There will be some additional features that are in the Mk4 Pro (which won't be introduced until RMRRF), and that video shows some of them. But, as always, the Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4 will be upgradable to the Mk4 Pro. However, because there is significant new hardware included in that kit, the pricing difference will be charged over the Mk3/Mk4s current $179. Pricing or shipping details of that upgrade are not available yet.
I hope that clears it up.
Bill