Firmware 1.4.0-FINAL for Original Prusa SL1

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Jakub Dolezal

(@jakub-dolezal)

Member Admin

Firmware 1.4.0-FINAL for Original Prusa SL1

Hi guys,
this is a final version of the firmware recommended to all SL1 owners 😎 Note that this update is primarily sent via OTA (over-the-air). Before you attempt to flash this version make sure you have at least version 1.3.0 or newer.

Summary

User UV calibration
Parallel pre-print checks
Manual check for firmware updates
Simplified fan checks
Upload notifications redesigned
Fixed bugs
Others

This is a final release of the firmware 1.4.0 with several new features and bug fixes. Note that in order to install this version you should be updating from version 1.3.0 or newer.

Detailed description

User mode UV calibration

Starting this release the system allows for a user recalibration of the UV light intensity using an external UV sensor. Until now, this was possible only in the factory, where both the assembled SL1 printers and printer kits were calibrated before being shipped. The recalibration is needed every time the 2K printing screen is replaced. The system must set a proper light intensity on the LED in order to achieve the correct level of exposure in the resin tank. Setting an incorrect intensity might under or overexpose the printed object leading to a possible print failure.

To calibrate the UV intensity of the SL1 outside the factory, the developers have created a brand new measuring device, which consists of 15 phototransistors, enabling the printer to measure the intensity in 15 areas and therefore provide a detailed map of the entire print area. First, the intensity is measured in central zones of the screen, then the outer edges are checked.

The calibration is fully automatic, the user only needs to plug the device to the front USB of the SL1, place it on the top of the print display and start the calibration. The entire process won't take more than several minutes. This approach also ensures that the printer with a replaced screen will provide the same print results as before and also lets the user use the same print profiles. Moreover, if you have a farm of multiple SL1 printers, they should be providing the same quality of the prints thanks to this UV calibration.

The UV calibration device will be soon available in a bundle with a new replacement screen. However, since the device can be used multiple times, the print display will be also available for purchase separately.

Learn how to replace and calibrate your new print display using this SL1 service guide.

Parallel pre-print checks

To shorten the time before the print is started, some pre-checks now run in parallel. This adjustment saves some time as the hardware setup and logical checks are mostly not blocking each other. A new user interface was created to display all the checks in a unified view.

A successful check is marked green

As soon as any error is detected, the printer immediately stops

Manual check for firmware update

Starting the firmware version 1.3.0 the printer is automatically checking for available updates on the server and displays a notification for the user. Starting this release there is a slight update as the “firmware check” can be also triggered manually from the printer's menu.

An alternative option is to use a USB flash drive and download the firmware using a computer. Stable firmware releases are always available at prusa3d.com/drivers.

Simplified fan checks

All the fans are now checked while the printer waits for the LED to fully heat up. Running multiple tests in parallel saves the overall time needed to check the printer. In case a custom filtration/ventilation is used on the SL1, there is a possibility to set the Rear Fan to OFF (default speed: 1000), this feature was broken by accident in the previous release.

Upload notifications redesigned

Thanks to the advanced operating system available on the SL1 printer, the user is able to transfer the sliced .sl1 files directly from the PrusaSlicer. There is no need to copy the sliced file on a USB drive and connect it to the printer.