Ender 3 V2 SKR mini upgrade
The Ender 3 V2 is a popular 3D printer known for its affordability and reliability. However, it doesn’t have the best capabilities for speed and detail. But with these few upgrades, you can take its performance to the next level. For he mainboard I chose the Bigtreetech SKR MINI E3 V3 for the additional stepper motor connections and upgradability, and a raspberry pi running Klipper firmware. This will offload a lot of the work that the microcontroller has to process and have the raspberry pi carry it out instead. The quality, and speed of a 3d printer is heavily reliant on the overall build quality of the printer itself. If the printer itself, or the table it’s placed on, is not sturdy then the resonance created from the print head moving will be translated into the 3d printed parts surface. Klipper firmware adds some nifty features that can greatly assist with calibration. Replacing the hot end with the Creality Sprite pro, such as a direct drive extruder, a titanium throat tube, and an all metal design. This will allow for much more consistent and dimensionally accurate prints, as well as allowing me to print materials that require higher temperatures since this hot end can bring the heat up to 300 °C! These upgrades will provide improved functionality, enhanced print quality, and a more efficient printing experience.
The Mainboard:
The Bigtreetech SKR Mini E3 V3 is a powerful and feature-packed option that offers more processing power and expandability compared to the stock Ender 3 V2 mainboard. It supports 32-bit architecture, which allows for faster and smoother operation. Additionally, the SKR Mini provides additional stepper motor drivers, allowing for potential future upgrades such as dual Z-axis or direct-drive extruders!! Definitely a future upgrade.
Klipper Firmware: Once the SKR Mini is installed, it's time to flash the Klipper firmware. Klipper is an open-source firmware that offloads the processing power from the printer's mainboard to a single-board computer (SBC) like a Raspberry Pi. This allows for faster and more precise calculations, resulting in improved print quality. Klipper also offers advanced features such as pressure advance, which reduces the likelihood of filament oozing during rapid movements.
Fluidd Configuration: To enhance the user experience, we can integrate FluidD with Klipper. FluidD is a web-based control interface that provides a user-friendly dashboard to monitor and control the printer remotely using any device with a web browser. By connecting the Raspberry Pi running Klipper to your home network, you can access the printer from your computer, smartphone, or tablet. FluidD offers features like real-time monitoring, time-lapse recording, and the ability to start, pause, or cancel prints remotely.
Creality Sprite Pro Upgrade: To further improve the printing capabilities of the Ender 3 V2, replacing the stock hot end with the Creality Sprite is highly recommended. The Creality Sprite is a high-performance hot end that offers exceptional heat dissipation, precise temperature control, and reduced heat creep. It features a compact design with an all-metal heat sink and a titanium alloy heat break, allowing for better thermal conductivity and more reliable printing of a wide range of filaments. This extends the thermal limits to 300°C which enables the ability to print some more advanced filements like CF.
Upgrading the Ender 3 V2 with the Bigtreetech SKR Mini mainboard, Klipper firmware, Fluidd for web-based control, and the Creality Sprite hot end can significantly enhance the printer's performance, print quality, and overall user experience. The SKR Mini provides more processing power and expandability, Klipper firmware offloads calculations to a Raspberry Pi, Fluidd enables remote control and monitoring, and the Creality Sprite ensures reliable and efficient extrusion. By following this upgrade process, you can unlock the full potential of your Ender 3 V2 and take your 3D printing projects to new heights. Happy printing!
