Introduction

If you’re looking to learn how to configure bltouch in ender 3 and improve your prints quality and speed, installing Klipper firmware with a BLTouch for auto bed leveling is a great choice. This guide walks you through the setup process step by step, ensuring a smooth installation.

Why Use Klipper with BLTouch on an Ender 3?

• Faster Print Speeds – Klipper leverages your printer’s hardware for improved performance.
• Better Precision – The BLTouch sensor enables automatic bed leveling, ensuring optimal first-layer adhesion.
• Enhanced Features – Advanced macro support, better motion control, and remote monitoring options.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• A Creality Ender 3 with Klipper -> Learn How to install Klipper on Ender 3
• A Raspberry Pi (or another host device) with Klipper installed and Mainsail
• BLTouch Installed (genuine or clone)
• USB cable to connect the printer to the Pi
• Access to a terminal (SSH or Serial)

Step: 1 Configure BLTouch in Klipper

1. Import a default printer.cfg downloading it from GitHub
2. Update the printer.cfg file:
   • Include mainsail.cfg in printer.cfg
   • Open your printer.cfg in Mainsail or via SSH:

nano ~/printer_data/config/printer.cfg

1. Add this line at the top (if it’s missing):

[include mainsail.cfg]

3. Add the bltouch configuration:

• Under [stepper_z] replace the endstop_pin value to be like:

endstop_pin: probe:z_virtual_endstop

4. Add the BlTouch section

[bltouch]
sensor_pin: ^PA1 
control_pin: PA0 
x_offset: -45 
y_offset: -10 
z_offset: 2.5

5. Save the configuration and restart Klipper.

L'articolo How to Configure BLTouch in Ender 3 2018 using Klipper and Mainsail proviene da MagiForge.

• Orange Pi Zero LTS
• 6 x female-female jumper cables (if your board does not have headers, then you need 6 x female-male)

Software You’ll Need

1. Putty
2. Armbian OS on Orange Pi Zero LTS
   • If you have a new Orange Pi Zero without Armbian follow this guide: How to Install Armbian OS on Orange Pi Zero LTS

Disclaimer:

CAUTION: You will need to access parts of your control box that may carry high voltage. Ensure the power is completely disconnected and exercise extreme caution. I am not liable for any harm to you or your property. Proceed entirely at your own risk.

Getting Started

In the stock 2018 version Ender 3 boards, the bootloader is not present.

It is not possible to flash any firmware via USB or Micro SD, you have to flash the bootloader first.

1. Connect to Your Orange Pi Zero via SSH

• Open Putty and connect to your Pi. If you’re unsure how to do this, follow this guide: How to Connect via SSH Using PuTTY

2. Update and Install AVR Dude

Once you’re connected to your board, update the system, install AVR Dude (which is the software that will communicate with your board):

Run the following commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install avrdude

After installation, verify that AVR Dude is installed correctly by typing:

avrdude -v

If installed correctly, you should see something like Version x.x.x on the first line.

2. Enable SPI Interface on Orange Pi Zero LTS

Check if there is an SPI Interface enabled:

ls /dev/spidev*

If something is showing like /dev/spidev1.1, you are good to go. Otherwise open armbianEnv.txt:

sudo nano /boot/armbianEnv.txt

And add at the bottom:

overlays=spi-spidev
param_spidev_spi_bus=1

Then, reboot the system:

sudo reboot

You should now see the spidev1.1 interface by typing:

ls /dev/spidev*

3. Connect Your Orange Pi Zero to the Creality Board

CAUTION: Make sure your board is not powered during this process.

Use the GPIO pins on your Orange Pi Zero to connect to your Creality board:

Make sure you don’t mix the pin numbers with the GPIO numbers. If you’re using a different board, search for its specific pinout.

Wire the board like this scheme, using jumper cables.

I’ve directly soldered the cables to the GPIO Pins of my Orange Pi Zero LTS. I had no jumpers, only the ones that cames from the BLTouch.

Now, if you power on your Orange Pi Zero the creality board should be powered displaying a blue light.

4. Configure AVR Dude

Next, configure AVR Dude to communicate with the board:

• Copy the default configuration file:

cp /etc/avrdude.conf ~/avrdude_gpio.conf

Edit the configuration file:

nano ~/avrdude_gpio.conf

Press CTRL + V and go at the end of the file. Then, paste the programmer configuration:

programmer
id = "pi_1";
desc = "Use the Linux sysfs interface to bitbang GPIO lines";
type = "linuxgpio";
reset = 10;    # GPIO 10 for RESET
sck   = 14;   # GPIO 14 for SCK
mosi  = 15;   # GPIO 15 for MOSI
miso  = 16;   # GPIO 16 for MISO
;

• Save and exit:
  • Ctrl + O (save)
  • Enter (confirm)
  • Ctrl + X (exit)

5. Initialize AVR Dude

To check if the Raspberry Pi can communicate with the board, run:

sudo avrdude -p atmega1284p -C ~/avrdude_gpio.conf -c pi_1 -v

If everything is connected correctly, you should see a message like “AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions.”

If it doesn’t work, double-check your wiring.

6. Get the Bootloader HEX File

You’ll need the appropriate bootloader .hex file for your board.

Download it directly in your Orange Pi Zero LTS:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Lauszus/Sanguino/refs/heads/master/bootloaders/optiboot/optiboot_atmega1284p.hex

8. Flash the Bootloader

Back in Putty, run the following command to flash the bootloader:

sudo avrdude -p atmega1284p -C ~/avrdude_gpio.conf -c pi_1 -v -U flash:w:optiboot_atmega1284p.hex:i

If your .hex file is named differently, replace optiboot_atmega1284p.hex with the correct file name.

Done! Shutdown the Orange Pi Zero and disconnect the wirings. Now you can proceed flashing a firmware like Klipper via USB.

How to Install Klipper on Ender 3 2018 with KIAU

L'articolo How To Install Bootloader on Ender 3 2018 using Orange Pi Zero LTS proviene da MagiForge.

1. Orange Pi Zero LTS board.
2. A microSD card (at least 8GB; a Class 10 or higher is recommended).
3. microSD card reader to connect the card to your computer.
4. A power supply compatible with the Orange Pi Zero LTS (5V/2A recommended).
5. Ethernet cable (optional, for headless setup).
6. A computer for downloading and flashing the Armbian OS.

Step 2: Download the Armbian OS

1. Go to the official Armbian website: https://www.armbian.com.
2. Search for Orange Pi Zero LTS in the supported devices list.
3. Download the recommended Armbian image (choose a version based on your preference: CLI-only or desktop).
   • Example: Armbian_XX_OrangePiZero_LTS_*.img.xz.

Step 3: Write the Armbian Image to the microSD Card

1. Insert the microSD card into your computer.
2. Download and install a disk imaging tool, such as:
   • balenaEtcher: https://www.balena.io/etcher/
   • Rufus (Windows): https://rufus.ie/
3. Flash the Armbian image:
   • Open the imaging tool.
   • Select the downloaded .img.xz file.
   • Choose your microSD card as the target.
   • Click Flash or Start to write the image.
4. Wait until the process completes, then safely eject the microSD card.

Step 4: Insert the microSD Card into the Orange Pi Zero LTS

1. Insert the prepared microSD card into the Orange Pi Zero LTS.
2. Connect the power supply to the board to power it on.

Step 5: Access the Orange Pi Zero LTS

Option 1: Via SSH (Headless Setup)

1. Connect the Orange Pi Zero LTS to your network using an Ethernet cable.
2. Discover its IP address using:
   • Your router’s admin panel.
   • Tools like Advanced IP Scanner or Fing (see the section in the previous guide).
3. Use an SSH client like PuTTY:
   • Hostname: The IP address of the Orange Pi.
   • Port: 22.
   • Username: root.
   • Password: 1234 (default).
4. Upon first login, you’ll be prompted to change the root password and create a new user.

Option 2: Connect via Serial Console (Optional)

1. Use the debug UART pins on the Orange Pi Zero LTS to connect via a USB-to-serial adapter.
2. Access the serial console using a terminal tool like minicom or PuTTY.
   • Baud rate: 115200.

Step 6: Initial Configuration

1. On first boot, complete the initial setup:
   • Set a new root password.
   • Create a non-root user.
   • Configure timezone, language, and other settings.
2. Update the system

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Usefull links:
– How to Install Klipper on Ender 3 2018 with KIAU

L'articolo How to Install Armbian OS on Orange Pi Zero LTS proviene da MagiForge.

1. Go to the official PuTTY website: https://www.putty.org.
2. Download the appropriate installer for your operating system (Windows/Linux/Mac).
3. Install PuTTY by following the installation instructions.

Step 2: Obtain the IP Address of Your Server

1. Check your server’s documentation or settings for its IP address.
2. If you can’t find the IP address, see IP Discovery Tools below:
   • Advanced IP Scanner (Windows)
     • A free tool to scan your network and list all connected devices with their IP addresses.
     • https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
   • Angry IP Scanner (Cross-Platform)

Step 3: Open PuTTY

1. Launch PuTTY from your applications or desktop shortcut.

Step 4: Configure the Connection

1. In the PuTTY Configuration window:
   • Host Name (or IP address): Enter the server’s IP address.
   • Port: Typically, SSH uses port 22 (unless your server uses a custom port).
   • Connection type: Ensure SSH is selected.
2. (Optional) Save the session:
   • Enter a name under Saved Sessions and click Save.

How to Connect via SSH Using PuTTY

Follow this guide to establish an SSH connection to a remote server:

Step 1: Download and Install PuTTY

1. Go to the official PuTTY website: https://www.putty.org.
2. Download the appropriate installer for your operating system (Windows/Linux/Mac).
3. Install PuTTY by following the installation instructions.

Step 2: Obtain the IP Address of Your Server

1. Check your server’s documentation or settings for its IP address.
2. If you can’t find the IP address, see IP Discovery Tools below.

Step 3: Open PuTTY

1. Launch PuTTY from your applications or desktop shortcut.

Step 4: Configure the Connection

1. In the PuTTY Configuration window:
   • Host Name (or IP address): Enter the server’s IP address.
   • Port: Typically, SSH uses port 22 (unless your server uses a custom port).
   • Connection type: Ensure SSH is selected.
2. (Optional) Save the session:
   • Enter a name under Saved Sessions and click Save.

Step 5: Connect to the Server

1. Click Open to initiate the connection.
2. If it’s your first time connecting to the server, PuTTY will display a security alert about the server’s host key. Click Yes to proceed.

Step 6: Log In to the Server

1. A terminal window will appear asking for a username. Enter the username provided by your server administrator.
2. Next, enter the password when prompted. (Note: The password field may not show anything as you type; this is normal for security reasons.)
3. Once authenticated, you’ll have access to the server via SSH.

L'articolo How to Connect via SSH Using PuTTY proviene da MagiForge.

Hardware You’ll Need

• Raspberry Pi or Orange Pi
• Micro USB Cable

Software You’ll Need

• PuTTY (SSH client)
• FileZilla (for file transfers)

Disclaimer:

CAUTION: If you still have the stock firwmare you are unable to flash Klipper via USB. You need to flash a bootloader first. Discover How To Install Bootloader on Ender 3 2018 using Orange Pi Zero LTS

If you mount Marlin then you are good to go.

3. Access the Raspberry Pi / Orange Pi via SSH

1. Find the Raspberry Pi’s IP Address:
   • You can find it via your router’s admin panel or use a network scanner like Angry IP Scanner.
2. Connect to the Raspberry Pi via SSH:
   • Open a terminal or an SSH client (like PuTTY) and connect using the IP address.
   • If you cannot connect, refer to a guide like How to Connect via SSH Using PuTTY.
3. Update the Raspberry Pi:
   • Run the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

4. Install KIAUH

1. Clone the KIAUH Repository (non-root user):

cd ~/
git clone https://github.com/th33xitus/kiauh.git ~/kiauh

1. Navigate to the KIAUH Directory:

cd ~/kiauh

1. Start KIAUH:

./kiauh.sh

5. Install Klipper, Moonraker, and a Web Interface

In the KIAUH menu:

1. Install Klipper to install the Klipper firmware.
2. Install Moonraker to set up the Klipper API server.
3. Install a Web Interface: Choose either Mainsail or Fluidd for a user-friendly web interface.

After installation, reboot the device:

sudo reboot

6. Compile Klipper Firmware

1. After rebooting, reconnect to the device via SSH.
2. Open the KIAUH menu:

cd ~/klipper/
make menuconfig

1. Select the following configurations:
   • Microcontroller Architecture: Atmel AVR
   • Processor Model: ATmega1284p
   • Communication Interface: Serial (on USART0)
2. Press Q to exit and Save
3. Compile the firmware:

make

The compiled firmware will be saved as klipper.elf.hex in the /out directory.

7. Flash Klipper Firmware

Determine the serial port to the printer board. Run:

ls /dev/serial/by-id/*

It should show something like:

/dev/serial/by-id/usb-1a86_USB2.0-Serial-if00-port0

Flash the firmware in your board:

sudo service klipper stop
make flash FLASH_DEVICE=/dev/serial/by-id/usb-1a86_USB2.0-Serial-if00-port0
sudo service klipper start

Awesome! Now your Ender 3 runs klipper!

8. Configure Klipper

1. Create the printer.cfg file:
   • Access the web interface (Mainsail or Fluidd) by entering the Raspberry Pi’s IP address in a browser.
   • Upload or create a printer.cfg file. Use the Ender 3 template from Klipper:
     Ender 3 Config File
   • If you have installed BlTouch, follow this guide: How to Configure BLTouch in Ender 3 2018 using Klipper and Mainsail
2. Save and Restart:
   • Save the file and restart the Klipper service.
3. Test the Connection:
   • Run basic commands like G28 (homing) to ensure everything works.

9. Calibration and Optimization

1. PID Tuning for Hotend:bashCopiaModificaPID_CALIBRATE HEATER=extruder TARGET=200 SAVE_CONFIG
2. Pressure Advance Calibration:
   • Improves extrusion consistency:bashCopiaModificaTUNE_PRESSURE_ADVANCE
3. Input Shaping:
   • Reduces vibrations and improves print speed:bashCopiaModificaSHAPER_CALIBRATE

10. Start Printing!

• Upload a test G-code file through the web interface.
• Monitor the print and enjoy the improved performance of your Ender 3 with Klipper!

Conclusion

Using KIAUH, installing Klipper on the Ender 3 becomes a straightforward process. You now have a faster, more precise printer with advanced features like Pressure Advance and Input Shaping.

L'articolo How to Install Klipper on Ender 3 2018 with KIAU proviene da MagiForge.