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BIGTREETECH-SKR-mini-E3
BIGTREETECH SKR-mini-E3 motherboard is a ultra-quiet, low-power, high-quality 3D printing machine control board. It is launched by the 3D printing team of Shenzhen BIGTREE technology co., LTD. This board is specially tailored for Ender 3 printer, perfectly replacing the original Ender3 printer motherboard.
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InfluxDB
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BIGTREETECH-TouchScreenFirmware
support TFT35 V1.0/V1.1/V1.2/V2.0/V3.0, TFT28, TFT24 V1.1, TFT43, TFT50, TFT70
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BIGTREETECH-TFT35-V3.0
TFT35 V3.0 is a medium size, dual-mode, ultra-clear 3D printer display and it is designed by Bigtree Technology co.,LTD. It is an excellent replacement for the standard 12864 LCD displays.
BigTreeTech SKR Mini E3 V1.2/2.0: I originally purchased the 1.2 version to use along with the BLTouch. When I encountered repeated issues with the BLTouch I replaced the board with a 2.0 model to try and fix it. In hindsight, this upgrade was unnecessary and didn't fix my issues. I had ABL issues and had even configured and compiled the main board firmware myself to try and fix. This process involved downloading and installing Visual Studio Code with the Platform IO plugin to properly view and edit firmware settings. This process was educational but fruitless as the preconfigured firmware actually worked fine, my issues weren't in board firmware. To anyone considering these boards, anything 1.2 and up is basically the same for your typical user. The newer versions only add a few small features. That said, this board upgrade drastically improves the sound output and efficiency of your printer while providing easier connections for things like Neopixel and ABL. Coupled with an aftermarket touchscreen they drastically improved my time managing settings and parameters on the printer directly.
OctoPi: This was another upgrade I couldn't get working at first and came back to months later. I'm running Octoprint on a Raspberry Pi 3b+ over Ethernet, actually using this fantastic case design for having a Pi setup inside your Ender 3 Pro. Initially I couldn't get connected to the OctoPrint client, so I did a fresh install and made sure to supply my WiFi network as a backup option. Basically you need to know your pi's IP address on your network and the basic login info. I also had issues originally with the Pi detecting the printer over the USB cable. I believe these issues were related the the power being shared along the 5V lead in the USB cables. I used the method of electrical tape to prevent power over the USB and this fixed the printer connection issues with OctoPrint. I had thought that some of my issues with ABL were originally related to OctoPrint, but I realized that OctoPrint has no impact on your print unless you added G commands to its start script in the settings. The rest of the time OctoPrint just uses your printer EEPROM and your g-codes slicer settings (i.e. Cura settings.) There's a ton of great plugins for Octoprint, but even the base platform is fantastic for monitoring and managing prints. I have one webcam with the intention of adding more (plugin support) to review remotely and for great content via Octolapse. While the other upgrades are nice improvements this was by far the most useful. Being able to go on browser and just upload the files you need to print is a magnitude better than putting on a USB or SD card. With Cura, I can even print straight from slicer and never have to upload prints I'm only gonna make once or twice. One key thing to remember at the end of all that is never run a G28 after loading your mesh as it'll wipe it, but everyone will tell you that haha.
BigTreeTech TFT35 v3.0: I had bought this as a bundle purchase with the SKR Mini E3 V1.2. This aftermarket touchscreen really improved my experience directly on the printer at the cost of un-foreseen issues. Actually, just one issue, and I didn't know it was an issue. So I mentioned ABL issues, well, I even replaced the BLTouch too to fix them. Only then did I find out; the screen has its own firmware. That is critically important information should you ever want to get a ABL working with it. I replaced both pieces of hardware but kept the same screen before finding this out. Basically, if you wish to use an ABL you have to make sure the firmware for your board and your aftermarket screen are flashed for it. In BigTreeTech's case, they have a Github Repo for both their SKR Mini Boards and TFT screens \not the) manuals repo tho, not sure why that exists\).Prior to flashing TFT firmware it would allow me to send BLTouch commands but did not save any mesh data. After updating it, it now runs commands as expected and without issue. The touchscreen and UI are great once you get used to them. In particular, the Probe offset functionality and bed mesh grids are grade tools the touchscreen makes easy to use. I turn off all sounds though, the constant beeps drive me insane lol.
BigTreeTech TFT35 v3.0: I had bought this as a bundle purchase with the SKR Mini E3 V1.2. This aftermarket touchscreen really improved my experience directly on the printer at the cost of un-foreseen issues. Actually, just one issue, and I didn't know it was an issue. So I mentioned ABL issues, well, I even replaced the BLTouch too to fix them. Only then did I find out; the screen has its own firmware. That is critically important information should you ever want to get a ABL working with it. I replaced both pieces of hardware but kept the same screen before finding this out. Basically, if you wish to use an ABL you have to make sure the firmware for your board and your aftermarket screen are flashed for it. In BigTreeTech's case, they have a Github Repo for both their SKR Mini Boards and TFT screens \not the) manuals repo tho, not sure why that exists\).Prior to flashing TFT firmware it would allow me to send BLTouch commands but did not save any mesh data. After updating it, it now runs commands as expected and without issue. The touchscreen and UI are great once you get used to them. In particular, the Probe offset functionality and bed mesh grids are grade tools the touchscreen makes easy to use. I turn off all sounds though, the constant beeps drive me insane lol.