84 posts tagged with "3D Printing Tips"

Introduction​

3D printers are a mere assembly of various stepper motors, controllers, and structural components. It is the 3D printer's firmware that ties everything together and brings your digital gcode file into the physical world.

Marlin was the first 3D printer firmware developed way back in 2011 for FDM 3D printers. Erik Van Der Zalm designed it for Ultimaker 3D printers which used 8-bit microcontrollers. Since 2011, Marlin has come a long way, and several 3D printers worldwide use some variant of the Marlin for their functioning.

But, in 2016, Kevin O'Connor released the Klipper firmware as an alternative to Marlin. Klipper promises high-speed 3D printing, better print quality, and several other features superior to Marlin. And it has grown tremendously since the first release and is quickly becoming the go-to firmware choice for many 3D printing hobbyists and manufacturers alike.

In this article, we'll compare Marlin and Klipper's firmware based on various criteria and understand the differences between these two. It should help you make an informed decision and choose the one that best matches your needs.

Let's get started.

Introduction​

Klipper firmware has become the go-to choice for high-speed 3D printing on a budget. It integrates the computing power of a Raspberry Pi with your 3D printer's controller to give you a clean, smooth, and fast 3D printing experience.

As Klipper is merely a firmware, you need an interface to interact with your 3D printer. Mainsail OS, Octoprint, and Fluidd are the three popular types of Klipper interfaces that are easy to use and help you to take full benefits of Klipper's features. We already have a guide that details the procedure of installing Klipper on an Ender 3 with Mainsail OS.

In this article, we'll go over the step-by-step procedure to install Klipper on an Ender 3, but with the Fluidd web interface. Read along to find the benefits of Fluidd and Klipper on your 3D printer.

If you are new to OctoPrint, then you have come to the right place. We bring you a detailed FAQ guide that will answer all of your burning questions about OctoPrint to help you get started.

Table of Contents​

 

What is OctoPrint?​

OctoPrint Interface/Courtesy: OctoPrint

OctoPrint is a free and open-source software application that allows you to monitor and control your 3D printer from a remote location. It's typically installed on a Raspberry Pi board and connected to a 3D printer. Many users chose the software because of its simplicity and ease of use, and the features and functionality it offers to enhance the overall 3D printing experience.

OctoPrint was created and is maintained by Gina Häußge, a German software engineer. Since its launch in 2012, it has evolved into a tool for users to improve their 3D printing experience. The software can now assist you in wireless 3D printing, monitoring and controlling 3D printers and even print farms from anywhere in the world, slicing 3D models, detecting failures, receiving notifications, and much more.

OctoPrint is a free, open-source program that enables you to remotely control and monitor your 3D printer. And with the right plugins, you can also get 3D printer status notifications. Octoprint was developed a decade ago in 2012 by German software engineer Gina Häußge and is commonly run on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer (SBC).

With OctoPrint, you can move the bed and extruder, control the temperature, and more. Even better, you can use a mobile app or a cloud server to set up job scheduling and keep a close watch on its progress. You may even see your print work live from anywhere in the world if you connect a webcam. While running a 3D printing farm, its advantages become even more prominent.

OctoPrint not only simplifies everything, but it also boosts the quality of 3D printing.

All the features are possible because of its large repository of Plugins allowing users to go above and beyond.

However, when you install the necessary plugins that provide 3D printer status notifications, all of the capabilities are enhanced.

Why would you want OctoPrint 3D printer status notifications?​

We all lead busy lives, and few people would have the luxury of being close to their printer during print jobs. When a print begins and you are not present, it might be unsettling to not know how the print is progressing.

This is where notifications come into play. A simple email or text message is enough to put our minds at ease.

Although many plugins offer notification support, not all plugins are created equal.

We're here to help you in choosing the best plugin for 3D printer status notification that will undoubtedly enhance your 3D printing experience. Keep reading to learn about a number of different ways to get 3D printer notifications using OctoPrint.

What are Mainsail, Fluidd, and OctoPrint?​

Mainsail, Fluidd, and OctoPrint are web interfaces for 3D printers that let you monitor and control your printer remotely. These software provide an easy way to interact with your printers and give you access to various features that enhance the remote user experience of 3D printing.

Fluidd and Mainsail OS are explicitly developed to run with Klipper firmware on your 3D printers. These software act as a communication bridge between you and your 3D printer and give you a way to monitor, control, and interact with your 3D printer wirelessly.

In contrast, Octoprint is developed as a generic 3D printer control software that gives you wireless access to your 3D printers. It can run on various firmware, including Klipper, and is developed specifically for remote 3D printing. Like Mainsail and Fluidd, Octoprint, too, runs in a web browser interface and has several plugins that extend the software’s usability.

All three of these software are free to download and completely open-source, contributing to their fast development and suite of excellent features. This article will explain all three software in detail and learn their differences and similarities.

Let’s get started.

Klipper has recently caught many eyeballs with its fantastic features and utility for 3D printing. It's a firmware that runs off a Raspberry Pi board and lets you execute high-speed 3D printing and extract the most out of your 3D printer. It has improved motion planning and precise stepper motor control and delivers excellent print quality with a slight tuning.

You can find several ways of setting up Klipper for any 3D printer. But, in this guide, we'll understand the entire process of installing Klipper on an Ender 3 3D printer using the Mainsail OS and Raspberry Pi imager. Together, Klipper and Ender 3 are one of the most popular combos, and once you grasp the idea, it's easy to emulate it for other 3D printers.

Without any further adieu, let's get started, Klipping.

What is Klipper?​

Klipper is a free and open-source 3D printer firmware that runs using your printer's controller board and an external processing unit, usually a Raspberry Pi board. It's maintained by Kevin O Connor on GitHub but has contributions from several other developers. The first version was released in 2016, and the Klipper firmware has evolved considerably over the years.

It utilizes the extra processing power of the Pi to compute, execute and run your 3D printer at faster speeds with higher precision. Voron 3D printers are famous for their fast print speeds and printing quality, and these printers use a customized version of the Klipper firmware to run at speeds above 200 mm/s with minimal loss in print quality.

Its open-source nature and strong community have significantly contributed to its list of features, and the current Klipper firmware offers far more than fast print speeds.

Why should you install Klipper on your 3D printer?​

The Raspberry Pi's extra computing power helps Klipper compute, execute and deliver precise stepper motor motion. It finely calculates and controls the movement of your stepper motor, ensuring a smooth printing process.

Its 'Smooth pressure advance' feature predicts the filament pressure in the nozzle and reduces the filament flow when the nozzle reaches the end of an edge or line. This function reduces filament oozing and minimizes the stringing effects at high print speeds.

Klipper readily works with Octoprint, supports multiple controllers on a single 3D printer, and is widely available for all 3D printers. It can transform an old and slow 3D printer into a fast machine that can easily put up with the latest high-end 3D printers.

Now that we have an overview of Klipper and its features let's dive into setting it up with the Mainsail OS for an Ender 3 3D printer.

Klipper Firmware/Courtesy: Klipper

Every electronic device is made up of three parts: hardware, software, and firmware. While the first two are more well-known, it is the firmware that connects the hardware to the software. Klipper is one such 3D printer firmware setup that uses Raspberry Pi to work alongside your 3D printer's mainboard. Klipper firmware is relatively new, and we intend to explain what it is and why you need it.

What is Klipper 3D printer firmware?​

We're sure you've heard of the Marlin firmware. This is the most popular and widely used 3D printer firmware. In fact, your 3D printer or printers must be running on a Marlin firmware. We are certain of it. And why not? It was one of the first and most widely used firmware that delivered consistent results.

But did you know there are several alternatives to Marlin? Yes, there are, and the Klipper 3D printer firmware is one such option that is becoming increasingly popular due to the benefits it provides.

Klipper is an open-source 3D printer firmware developed by Kevin O'Connor, the original author and current maintainer of Klipper. It allows interaction between your 3D printer hardware, such as motors and sensors, and software, such as slicers, in order to understand the gcode commands used to 3D print an object.

It differs from traditional 3D printer firmware, which runs on a single mainboard. Klipper is designed to work with a 3D printer mainboard and a single-board computer, such as a Raspberry Pi to eliminate the issues of low computing power. Klipper works in tandem with the Raspberry Pi and uses the extra computing power to assist the mainboard in processing commands, allowing you to print more quickly and precisely.

We know you all enjoy timelapse videos in which everything appears to run fast. With reference to OctoPrint, a timelapse video would refer to the videos where the product appears to grow out of thin air. It is almost surreal, which is what makes it all the more appealing. You may know how to create a timelapse, also called Octolapse, but do you know the best camera for an Octolapse? Well, choosing a camera itself is complicated, let alone the best one.

Well, we have decided to list down a few good ones to help you choose the best camera for Octolapse.

What is Octolapse?​

Double Spiral Vase Timelapse - Octolapse/Courtesy: FormerLurker

OctoPrint simplifies the control and management of 3D printing. The software's capabilities are enhanced by a diverse set of plugins, making it simple to monitor and control your prints. Furthermore, if you wish to take your remote 3D printing experience to the next level, you should check out the OctoPrint Mobile apps.

There are numerous mobile apps that provide OctoPrint mobile accessibility, so you have a lot of alternatives. This also means new users find it difficult to choose the ideal app for their needs.

But, like always, we have your back, and we don't want you to spend time checking out each and every app. Instead we have compiled a list of the top 7 mobile apps – 4 Android and 3 iOS apps – to help you with the selection process and save you time. With this list, you will be one step closer to accessing OctoPrint on the go!

Why do you need a mobile app for OctoPrint?​

For the uninitiated, OctoPrint is one of the best 3D printer remote monitoring, management, and control software tools. With the plugins, the software transforms into a monster, giving you greater control over your printer and making 3D printing entertaining and engaging.

While OctoPrint is a capable piece of software, it may occasionally leave you wanting more. Consider two scenarios: one in which you are weary of sitting in front of a computer for the duration of the print but still want to check the progress and monitor your print. And a second scenario in which you are travelling and do not have access to a computer from which to operate your 3D printer.

The solution to both of these issues is the same: a mobile app for accessing OctoPrint on the go.

A smartphone is something you carry with you everywhere and is easy on the eyes. This level of freedom is appealing to many who use 3D printers on a regular basis. Using a smartphone app can help you save a lot of time, not to mention improve your 3D printing experience.

We will now explore the 7 mobile apps for OctoPrint. All of these mobile apps allow you to access your OctoPrint connected 3D printer from your phone, and the Obico mobile app even allows full remote access from anywhere without any additional configuration.

If you are someone who has not yet installed OctoPrint, you can take a small detour to learn how to set up OctoPrint to and get it up and running. Don't worry, it's simple.

In less than a decade, Raspberry Pi (Rpi) has caught the imagination of 3D printing enthusiasts the world over. It has enabled makers like you to monitor and control 3D printers remotely. OctoPrint and Raspberry Pi, paired together, is a deadly combination and gives you an unprecedented control over your entire 3D printing process.

Sadly with so many versions of the credit-card sized computer available on the market it becomes difficult for enthusiasts to choose the best Raspberry Pi for OctoPrint. And yes, the choice will determine the performance of your 3D printer and the amount of control you have on it.

So read along as we bring you a guide to help you solve this very conundrum of choosing the right Raspberry Pi model for your needs and requirements.

Installing OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi​

OctoPrint is usually installed on a Raspberry Pi, which is connected to your local network. Once connected, you can access OctoPrint from any web browser or mobile app on your smartphone. If you want help in getting started with OctoPrint, refer to our guide on how to setup OctoPrint.

OctoPrint is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and platforms. All it needs is a suitable Python environment. It can also run on a regular computer and different operating systems, but it takes a few more steps than simply installing it on a Raspberry Pi. Also, since you probably want it to run all the time, the Raspberry Pi is one of the most power-efficient and cost-effective ways to run it.

Due to their open source nature, strong community support, and ability to integrate with a variety of platforms, OctoPrint and the Raspberry Pi make a fantastic pairing to efficiently operate your 3D printer.

Which Raspberry Pi is best for OctoPrint?​

Right now, Raspberry Pi is available in at least a half a dozen different configurations, if not more. The processing speed, memory, and wireless and Bluetooth connectivity of each vary. Finding a Raspberry Pi model that works well with OctoPrint can be challenging. For instance, you run a higher risk of getting low-quality prints and longer loading times when using an older model, especially if a webcam or other plugins are active.

Thankfully, we did the research making it simpler for you to select the best Raspberry Pi for OctoPrint.