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FxTrip's Ender 3

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Revision as of 22:51, 12 May 2025 by Fxtrip (talk | contribs)
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.
    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.
    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!
    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 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.
    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
    Here we are adding linear rails
  • Upgrading Linear Rails
    Upgrading Linear Rails
  • Added supports for wobble
    Added supports for wobble
  • Printed a failed case. I didn't check the usb clearance and trusted google.
    Printed a failed case. I didn't check the usb clearance and trusted google.
  • Are those sharks with laser beams attached to their heads?
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    Adding Y axis rail. It was pretty annoying to find the right kit here.
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