YouTuber Cocoanix has managed to reduce the print time of a Prusa MK3S, a 2019 model, from 90 minutes to just 8. The trick lies in using a Nintendo Switch with Linux to run the Klipper firmware. This system offloads G-code processing to an external device, freeing the printer's microcontroller to achieve much higher speeds.
How Klipper Unlocks Your Printer's Hidden Potential 🚀
Klipper works by offloading motion calculation from the printer's motherboard to a more powerful device, such as a Raspberry Pi or, in this case, a Nintendo Switch. By doing so, the Prusa MK3S can process instructions faster and with greater precision, bypassing the limits of the original firmware. Cocoanix notes that while the Switch works, the Raspberry Pi remains the most common and recommended option due to its ease of setup.
The Console That Prints Faster Than It Plays 🎮
While many are still waiting for Nintendo to announce the Switch 2, Cocoanix has found a more practical use for the console: making a 2019 printer fly. That said, if your Switch starts smoking while printing, it's not Klipper's fault, but rather a sign that you probably should have used a Raspberry Pi. At least the console will serve a purpose beyond gathering dust in the living room.