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FxTrip's Ender 3: Difference between revisions

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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.
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
📦 '''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

Revision as of 21:28, 12 May 2025

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


📦 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