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

📦 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