FxTrip's Ender 3

FxTrip's Ender 3 Print/Laser/EDM
Information
Owner	Fxtrip
Version	1.0
Status	In Progress
Started On	February 2025
Cost	TBD

Overview

My Ender 3 is a heavily modified original V1 model, upgraded for high-speed, high-quality printing with modular capabilities in mind. It’s equipped with a BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 mainboard, which offers quiet TMC2209 stepper drivers and Klipper compatibility thanks to its 32-bit architecture. I’ve replaced the stock extruder with a Sprite Pro direct-drive system, enabling better control over flexible filaments and high-temperature materials. The printer is controlled via a Raspberry Pi 4 running Klipper, Moonraker, Mainsail (for the web interface), and KlipperScreen, which outputs to a BIGTREETECH PITFT50 V2.1 5" touchscreen for local access.

My setup is optimized for manual tuning first—focusing on filament flow rate and pressure advance—before implementing accelerometer-based input shaping. The long-term goal is to rival the speed and quality of printers like the Bambu A1 Mini while maintaining full control over the system. I’m also developing a modular quick-change toolhead system that allows me to swap between the 3D print head, a small CNC spindle for aluminum machining, a Rack Robotics EDM head, and a laser engraver. Each toolhead will have dedicated connectors for clean, tool-specific wiring. The frame is stabilized with a foam base and weighted platform to reduce vibration during fast movements, further improving print consistency.

Features

🔧 Mechanical & Frame Upgrades

✅ Replaced all motion axes (X, Y, Z) with linear rails for smoother, more precise movement

✅ Added frame supports/bracing to reduce wobble and improve stability during high-speed printing

✅ Mounted printer on foam base with heavy paver for vibration damping

✅ Reinforced gantry and frame alignment for better long-term dimensional accuracy

🛠️ Electronics & Wiring

✅ Replaced stock mainboard with BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0

• 32-bit board with TMC2209 silent stepper drivers

• Supports UART mode for advanced motor control and sensorless homing

✅ Completely rewired the board to support modular toolheads with clean routing

✅ Added labeled connectors for tool swapping (extruder, CNC, EDM, laser, etc.)

✅ Integrated Raspberry Pi 4 for headless control and local processing

✅ Installed BIGTREETECH PITFT50 V2.1 (5") display running KlipperScreen for local touchscreen control

✅ Added An Electrical Enclosure.

📦 Firmware & Software Stack

✅ Flashed firmware to Klipper for higher precision and faster print speeds

✅ Installed and configured:

• Moonraker (API + printer status layer)

• Mainsail (web-based UI for remote access)

• KlipperScreen (for the PITFT50 touchscreen)

✅ Manual tuning of:

• Filament flow rate

• Pressure advance

🔜 Plan to add an accelerometer for input shaping and resonance compensation

🧰 Toolhead & Multi-Mod Functionality (Planned)

🔁 Developing a manual quick-change system to swap between:

• 3D print head (Sprite Pro)

• Small CNC spindle (for light aluminum work)

• Rack Robotics EDM head

• Laser engraver

✅ Designed system with separate cable connectors per toolhead for clean transitions

🔧 Planning firmware macros and config swapping per tool using Klipper’s flexible config system

Status Pictures

• 
  Starting with a $170 Ender3v1 printer. (I've seen as low as $50 on craigslist). I chose this printer due to its extruded aluminum profile.
• 
  A friend let us borrow their 3D scanner, so I had a slight detour.
• 
  You could read the text on the bottom of it too!
• 
  Replacing the Bowden Extruder with a Direct Drive Sprite Pro. Direct drive allows me to print flexible filament, and the extruder gets to 300C for higher temp filaments.
• 
  Replacing the stock Ender 3 board with the BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 was one of the most impactful improvements to the printer. The stock Creality board is limited by its 8-bit processor, loud stepper drivers, and minimal firmware flexibility. The SKR Mini upgrade addressed all of these issues while maintaining compatibility with the Ender 3’s wiring and form factor.
• 
  Here we are adding linear rails
• 
  Upgrading Linear Rails
• 
  Added supports for wobble
• 
  Printed a failed case. I didn't check the usb clearance and trusted google.
• 
  Are those sharks with laser beams attached to their heads?
• 
  At this point it was a wise move to get a m3,m4,m5 t-nut, kit and screw kit. Enders use these 3 types and nothing more typically. I will say there were a few times i needed a longer bolt that wasn't included in the kit. Buy 8 spares at an extended length and break them to length with your wire strippers.
• 
  Its always good to have a pinout. There were some spares here that had me worried.
• 
  The fans were odd. It came for a direct wire on the fan which I recrimped and moved to the board.
• 
  Added some covers to keep the junk out of the t slots.... and it looks cool.
• 
  Got a large enclosure. Its nice now but it will be packed in the future.
• 
  Adding Y axis rail. It was pretty annoying to find the right kit here.