I am incredibly thrilled to finally introduce the Prusa CORE One! This isn’t just a digital reveal; it’s a real unveiling at FormNext in Frankfurt. For those attending, please visit us at Hall 12.1 / stand G39. We are eager to personally present our new flagship machine to you!
There’s a wealth of innovation packed into the CORE One, so let’s delve right into the details of this exciting Corexy 3d Printer.
The CORE One is engineered as a fully enclosed CoreXY 3D printer equipped with active temperature control. This machine prioritizes print quality and speed, all within an exceptionally robust framework. For a comprehensive list of technical specifications, you can visit the product page. However, let me provide you with a detailed overview first.
With the CORE One, the need for multiple specialized printers is eliminated. Whether you require rapid prototyping, demanding material compatibility, or superior dimensional accuracy, this versatile machine is your all-in-one solution. It boasts a compact design yet offers a generous print volume of 250×220×270 mm. Clever design choices, such as the exoskeleton structure, enhance its firmness and durability. A key feature is its ability to print PLA and PETG with closed doors, a capability not as common as one might expect. We’ve channeled our extensive knowledge from developing the XL, AFS, and HT90 into this model, and we believe you’ll share our enthusiasm! 🙂 Shipping is scheduled to commence in January 2025!
Crucially, the CORE One is designed to complement the MK4S, not replace it. We remain committed to manufacturing and supporting the MK4S, providing ongoing firmware updates and accessories like a USB-C camera for print monitoring. For users primarily working with PLA and PETG, an open-frame printer remains an excellent choice (more on this shortly). The CORE One marks the beginning of a new product line, hence the distinct name. While the MK4S was recently launched, we wanted to announce the CORE One before Black Friday and the holiday season to avoid any surprises for those considering a new printer. Formnext provided the ideal platform for this unveiling.
Alt text: The Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer showcased at FormNext, highlighting its compact and enclosed design.
The CORE One’s development phase is complete, and we are in the final stages of testing. Full production begins in January 2025. We are currently showcasing several units in Frankfurt and already utilize CORE One corexy printers in our internal print farm.
The Enclosed CoreXY 3D Printer – Reimagined
We possess deep expertise in CoreXY mechanisms, evident in the Original Prusa XL and Prusa Pro AFS. While CoreXY is often perceived as the “future of 3D printing,” it’s important to acknowledge that each kinematics system has its own strengths. The MK4S continues to deliver exceptional print quality, rapid speeds, and easy component accessibility. Regarding the AFS, adapting its printer design for mass production and individual enclosure proved impractical.
However, our extensive research into heated chambers and cooling systems, developed for the Prusa Pro HT90, has significantly influenced our new products. While enclosed CoreXY 3D printers are not novel, we aimed to introduce genuinely innovative and beneficial features with the CORE One.
Alt text: A close-up view of the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer’s enclosed chamber and robust exoskeleton design.
Our engineering efforts for this new machine centered on three core principles:
- Innovative exoskeleton design utilizing premium materials for enhanced rigidity.
- Ultra-compact chamber achieving up to 55 °C with active temperature regulation, enabling printing with a broad spectrum of materials from PLA (with closed doors) to high-performance PA11 Nylon.
- A forward-thinking modular platform, eschewing welded or glued structures for superior repairability and customization.
Naturally, we were committed to maintaining our signature qualities – exceptional print quality, long-term reliability, premium components, minimal maintenance, and a “built to last” philosophy. These are the hallmarks you expect from Prusa. 🙂
The CORE One’s novel structure is based on an exoskeleton framework, inspired by nature (think crustaceans and insects), where the outer shell provides structural integrity. This approach enhances both printer robustness and manufacturing efficiency. The same components serve as the printer’s frame and contribute to its final aesthetic. Unlike conventional printers, the CORE One isn’t simply an enclosed welded cube or an open-frame printer placed inside a box.
Alt text: Animated GIF showcasing the exoskeleton design of the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer, emphasizing its structural rigidity and efficient build.
The space-efficient design, featuring side recesses, allows the compact chamber to heat rapidly, reaching temperatures up to 55 °C. This is ideal for advanced materials like ASA, ABS, PC, and Nylon, which require stable, elevated temperatures for optimal printing. However, we aimed to enhance the heated chamber concept further.
The printer’s rear panel houses dual fans for active chamber temperature control. When printing with PLA or PETG, these fans ensure the chamber temperature remains low, maximizing print quality.
This is a critical feature because approximately 90% of 3D prints are made using PLA or PETG. These materials are known to perform poorly in elevated temperatures. Consequently, manufacturers (including ourselves – refer to the MK4S Enclosure instructions!) often recommend removing the top enclosure panel and/or leaving the printer door open when printing with these materials. However, this approach negates the very purpose and advantages of an enclosed printer.
Alt text: The Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer demonstrating PLA printing with the door closed, highlighting its optimized cooling system.
In contrast, the Prusa CORE One prints PLA and PETG flawlessly even with the door closed, maintaining a clean and controlled environment. 🙂 The only adjustment needed is opening a small vent on top of the printer, allowing the fans to draw in cooler ambient air.
Alt text: Top view of the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer showcasing the vent for optimized PLA and PETG printing with closed enclosure.
Furthermore, the door and all transparent panels are constructed from a high-end, virtually indestructible polymer, ensuring durability in any workspace and enhanced safety during transport. We intentionally avoided glass due to its inherent fragility.
The printer’s body is designed to be as compact as possible, incorporating numerous smart design elements. For example, the filament spool is conveniently located in a side recess, flush with the printer’s edge, maintaining a small footprint. The opposite recess can be utilized for custom holders, organizers, and other accessories. The CORE One’s overall footprint (w×d×h) is 30% smaller than the MK4S and a remarkable 50% smaller than the MK4S with the Enclosure, while simultaneously offering a 30% increase in print volume!
Alt text: The Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer illustrating its compact footprint and integrated spool holder design.
Unwavering Focus on Print Quality
The CORE One incorporates our Nextruder, which has consistently achieved top ratings in print quality benchmarks for all printers utilizing it. It features the enhanced 360° cooling system from the MK4S, delivering exceptional print quality and outstanding overhang performance. This reduces the need for supports (or eliminates them entirely), saving material and print time.
Alt text: A 3D printed model showcasing the high print quality and intricate details achievable with the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer.
The Nextruder includes proven features for effortless, high-quality printing, including the highly accurate Loadcell sensor for consistently perfect first layers. The Loadcell sensor’s reliability stems from its non-reliance on visual data, making it unaffected by reflective or textured surfaces. It eliminates the need for recalibration when swapping nozzles or hotends and ensures a flawless first layer even on unconventional surfaces like wood. Furthermore, you benefit from easy-swap hotends, a standard high-flow nozzle, and more.
Alt text: Close-up of the Nextruder on the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer, highlighting its advanced features and easy hotend swapping mechanism.
While the MK4S was already remarkably fast, surpassing many competitors, the CORE One pushes speed further, reducing print times by an additional 15-20%, depending on the project complexity. However, the key advantage is its versatility: the CORE One maintains high speed with any filament on the market. There are no hidden limitations or asterisks associated with our speed claims. It’s simply high speed without compromise.
Alt text: Performance graph comparing print speed of the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer against other models, showcasing its speed advantage.
The CORE One excels with a wide array of materials, thanks to its 55 °C chamber. From PLA and PETG to ASA, ABS, and PC, and even demanding materials like Polyamides (Nylon). This broad material compatibility makes the CORE One suitable for diverse applications, from effortless home printing to rapid prototyping, durable functional parts, and even production of final products for customers.
CoreXY – The Prusa Approach
We have always engineered our machines to be reliable 3D printing workhorses, as we depend on them in our own manufacturing processes. We operate a 3D print farm with over 600 printers, and the CORE One’s compact design will allow us to maximize printer density within the same footprint. We’ve incorporated additional features to make the CORE One the ultimate print farm solution. Beyond its compact size, the rear-mounted fans enable connection to air extraction systems. The door opens 180°, preventing obstruction in tight spaces or corridors. You can even reverse the door hinges to suit your specific layout. The entire machine is designed for low maintenance and extended lifespan.
Alt text: Animated GIF demonstrating the 180-degree door opening and reversible hinge feature of the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer, optimized for print farms.
I always emphasize that every component on our machines serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. The majority of materials are readily recyclable and designed for longevity. The frame is constructed from laser-cut steel profiles, a highly efficient and precise manufacturing method, ensuring exceptional rigidity and perfect perpendicularity. This eliminates any possibility of incorrect XY axis assembly (believe me, we’ve tried!).
Alt text: Internal view of the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer highlighting the laser-cut steel frame and robust construction.
Plastic parts are molded from durable polycarbonate reinforced with carbon fiber. The printer utilizes screws for all connections, avoiding welding, allowing for complete disassembly with a simple screwdriver. We prioritized repairability, achieving significant improvements. For instance, the CoreXY functional assembly can be replaced in under 20 minutes. Replacing a worn idler after extensive use is also straightforward, requiring only a few screws, and we guarantee spare part availability for years. The design’s inherent scalability provides exceptional agility for future projects. It’s engineered as a long-lasting workhorse, easy to maintain, upgradeable, high-performing, and a true evolution in our industrial design philosophy.
Alt text: A print farm environment featuring multiple Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printers, demonstrating their suitability for large-scale operations.
Despite its advanced features, the Core ONE remains a true plug-and-print machine. Simply unpack, plug in, perform a quick one-time calibration, and you’re ready in under 10 minutes. Existing Prusa printer users will find the CORE One instantly familiar, and newcomers to 3D printing will find it an incredibly accessible entry point. It’s a “start and forget” machine, operating fully automatically after initiating the print. As always, extensive Prusa Academy courses, tutorials, and guides are available.
Personalize Your Printer
The extensive use of metal in the CORE One’s construction allows for easy attachment of custom holders, organizers, and shelves using magnets. The empty recess on the left side is specifically designed for such projects. This opens up vast possibilities for customizations, modifications, and tweaks. Imagine CORE Ones styled as Claptrap from Borderlands or themed with Star Wars designs – we anticipate seeing incredibly creative adaptations!
You are encouraged to modify printed components, attach new parts using magnets or screws, and generally experiment with the CORE One. Naturally, our software and firmware are open-source, providing even more avenues for customization. We recognized an opportunity for improvement in this area.
Historically, flashing custom firmware on Buddy board-equipped Prusa printers required breaking a warranty seal. This is no longer the case. We are making a significant positive change to enhance community engagement and encourage developers to explore the code and develop customizations. From now on, breaking the seal will not void your warranty, granting you freedom to flash custom firmware. However, as we cannot verify or test every custom firmware available online, we disclaim liability for any damage resulting from using printers with broken seals. This applies to MK4/S, XL, MINI, and the new CORE One. Please exercise caution and avoid flashing unverified files. 🙂
Alt text: A Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer customized with magnetic accessories and modifications, illustrating its open and adaptable nature.
Expand Functionality with Add-ons!
The GPIO hackerboard and accelerometer are fully compatible from launch. The GPIO module empowers modders, hackers, and tinkerers to add new functionalities to their corexy 3d printers. It connects to the xBuddy board’s I2C port, enabling control and input from external devices. You can create triggers for cameras and sliders for precise timelapse photography, control external LED lighting, servos, and much more, all configurable directly within PrusaSlicer.
The accelerometer, while not essential for factory-tuned machines, is invaluable for printer developers and modders. It allows for easy measurement of custom print head resonance frequencies, enabling Input Shaper recalibration for optimal performance.
Alt text: The Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer with an upcoming drybox accessory, showcasing expansion capabilities.
More accessories are in development: we are finalizing two filtration systems (HEPA and advanced filtration) and a drybox. We will announce their availability via newsletter.
Alt text: The Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer with the MMU3 multi-material upgrade, highlighting its multi-color printing capabilities.
Furthermore, the CORE One fully supports the most efficient single-nozzle multi-color solution, the MMU3. Compatible with the Prusa CORE One, it enables printing vibrant, multi-colored objects with up to five filaments simultaneously. Unlike other multi-filament printers that can generate significant waste, our system utilizes an innovative compact wipe tower to manage filament changes, minimizing waste to a single, manageable block.
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Alt text: Showcase of multi-color 3D prints achieved with the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer and MMU3 upgrade. Alt text: Examples of detailed and colorful 3D prints produced by the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer with multi-material capabilities. Alt text: Collection of vibrant 3D printed models demonstrating the color accuracy and detail achievable with the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer.
Introducing Buddy3D Camera
With the Prusa CORE One, we are also launching a new optional camera under our Buddy3D brand. Buddy3D will encompass a range of 3D printer accessories from external vendors, curated and controlled by us. This camera is a prime example. It will be available as a small module for internal placement within the CORE One chamber, connecting via USB-C to the mainboard. The camera firmware is developed under our strict supervision, ensuring 100% security.
Alt text: Screenshot of the Prusa mobile app interface displaying remote print monitoring via the Buddy3D Camera on the Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer.
The camera is slated for release alongside the Prusa CORE One. Customers ordering the printer before the camera’s availability will have the option to add it to their order later. This same camera, in a modified housing, will also be available for the MK4S and XL. The camera requires an active Wi-Fi connection and is fully integrated with Prusa Connect and the Prusa App.
Seamless Workflow, Uncompromising Security
Since the Original Prusa MK2, we’ve been committed to providing a complete ecosystem. From custom-developed slicers and factory-tested print profiles, to Prusament, Prusa Connect, Printables, the Prusa App, and Academy.
The Prusa CORE One grants you access to the entire “Prusaverse” :-). Everything you need is integrated. Download hundreds of thousands of free 3D models from Printables.com – send them directly to PrusaSlicer with a single click, slice, and transmit over the network for immediate printing. Utilize our remote print management system, Prusa Connect, or the Prusa App for remote monitoring – entirely optional. USB drive file transfer remains a standard option.
Alt text: User interface of PrusaSlicer software with integrated Prusa Connect and Printables.com access, streamlining the workflow for Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer users.
All Prusament filaments have dedicated profiles in PrusaSlicer, and we also provide profiles for over 200 third-party filaments, ensuring optimal performance regardless of material choice. Professional-level results are now accessible to everyone.
Security remains our top priority. Network connection is never mandatory – not for initial setup, firmware updates, or slicing. Full functionality is available offline. Even the Wi-Fi module can be disconnected for maximum security in sensitive environments. The USB-C camera for print monitoring and Prusa Connect/App integration are optional. Our open-source code allows for independent audits, ensuring transparency and verifying that your data and designs remain secure, even when offline. Rest assured that your intellectual property is safe with Prusa. 😉
One More Thing… The Upgrade Path
A hallmark of Prusa machines has always been upgradeability, allowing users to evolve their printers to the latest versions. While the Prusa CORE One is a significant departure from the MK4S, featuring a fully enclosed CoreXY system and a larger print volume, we have engineered a Conversion Kit to upgrade your MK4S to the CORE One. This transforms one product line into another.
Alt text: The Prusa MK4S to CORE One Conversion Kit, illustrating the upgrade path from a Cartesian to a CoreXY 3D printer.
The Prusa CORE One Conversion Kit is priced lower than the MK3S->MK4 upgrade, enabling a complete transformation of your MK4S into a CORE One without any compromises. The target release date is March 2025 with a projected price of 449 USD (excl. VAT) / 489 EUR (incl. VAT).
The conversion is exclusively for MK4S owners, as the MK4S upgrade kit components are essential for the conversion. Purchasing the MK4S during upcoming Black Friday deals allows you to acquire it now and convert to the CORE One later.
The CORE One also offers exceptional backward compatibility, utilizing the same print sheets, hotends, nozzles, and proven components as the MK3/MK4 and MK4S. This is particularly beneficial for print farms, significantly reducing entry costs and leveraging existing investments in accessories.
And yes, despite its monolithic appearance, a Prusa CORE One assembly kit will be available! Printer assembly remains popular, providing in-depth understanding of 3D printer operation. Companies often purchase assembly kits alongside assembled printers for employee training. The CORE One assembly process is even simpler than the MK4S.
Alt text: The Prusa CORE One corexy 3D printer assembly kit components, showcasing its modular design and user-friendly assembly process.
Assembly kit shipping is estimated for April 2025, with a projected price of 949 USD (excl. VAT) / 1049 EUR (incl. VAT). Assembled Prusa CORE One units will begin shipping in January 2025 at an introductory price of 1199 USD (excl. VAT) / 1349 EUR (incl. VAT). Visit our e-shop for detailed technical specifications. Accessory details will be shared via newsletters.
This is the CORE One – a fully enclosed, high-speed CoreXY 3D printer designed for quality and optimized for PLA and PETG printing with a closed enclosure. Its future-proof, modular design ensures it will serve as a foundation for upgrades for years to come, continuing the legacy of the i3 design.
Happy printing!
Jo Prusa
FAQ
Q: Will Printed Solid offer Prusa CORE One 3D printers assembled in the USA?
A: Yes, shortly after initial shipments begin.
Q: Is the Prusa owner program applicable to the CORE One?
A: Yes, CORE One purchases qualify for a 10% discount on 30 selected filaments annually, including Prusament.
Q: Why are the camera, MMU3, and filtration system not available for order at launch?
A: To ensure timely printer shipments, especially as these accessories rely on external suppliers. MMU3 integration with the printer’s top section is being finalized. Expected prices: Camera – 39.99 USD (excl. VAT) / 43.99 EUR (incl. VAT), Advanced Filtration – 75.99 USD (excl. VAT) / 79.99 EUR (incl. VAT).
Q: Will the Prusa CORE One be included in Black Friday deals?
A: No, but other special offers will be available for Black Friday. Stay tuned!
Links to models in the comparison table and credits to authors:
List of models in photos and credits to authors:
- CORE One Lighthouse (Prusa Research)
- Škoda Elroq (Škoda)
- Groot Planter (Phaedrux)
