It's the era of Printing faster. What you can do with your Non-Klipper 3D Printers? (Part 1)

Obviously, it is an era of printing faster, everyone is printing faster and most of the new models are released with Klipper, even the Marlin firmware become faster.

The Klipper project developed by Kevin O’Connor plays a crucial role in it. It starts from 2018 and become stable, powerful, mature and advanced in recent few years.

At the time of 2023, either you spend more money or learn more things on Klipper.

Then what can we do with our Non-Klipper 3D printers? They are slower but work great, can we do something to upgrade them?

Well, there are plenty of projects for you. Mostly, there were two ways, becoming faster or stay slower.

Part 1 Becoming Faster

When talking about printing faster, we are talking about Kipper, although the latest Marlin print faster than before and gets new features that is similar with input shaper. It is much easier to use Klipper since it has been developed so powerful and supported well.

1.1 What do you need

The best thing of Klipper is it helps people to print faster with the same or even higher quality, so it is the better option to upgrade your old models into Klipper. It speeds up your printer from 40-60mm/s to 100mm-150mm/s or even faster. No matter what models you are using, you will need the following things:

a) Klipper firmware

It is a bin file (64-bit mainboard) or hex file (128-bit mainboard). You can flash it directly (64-bit mainboard) or with some tools (128-bit mainboard). And your printer screen will become black since it doesn’t support Klipper Screen.

Where to get it: It is usually provided by the manufacture. For some popular models you can also find them from the communities. And you can also build the file by your own. 

b) Klipper Configurations

It is usually a file called “printer.cfg”, some may divide it into configurations like “fan.cfg” “TMC.cfg” . Both ways define how the Klipper take over the original mainboard.

Where to get it: It is usually provided by the manufacture. For some popular models you can also find them from the communities. And you can also build the file by your own. 

c) a “computer”

It is the computer that takes over the original mainboard and controls everything of the printing. And here are the ones you can choose:

the Raspberry Pi series

the Orangepi series

Some other Pis that you can find support with

If you want to use Klipper Screen features:

The FLSUN Speeder Pad

The Sonic Pad

Some other pad like the above two

An android phone

A laptop that’s running Linux system

Where to get it: If you don’t have any of them, you can get them from Ali Express, Amazon or our site (the FLSUN Speeder pad Only)

d) System images

A system image is a recover file that you can restore the customized system into your SD card or EMMC. For models like KINGROON KLP1 and KP3S Pro V2 we update them regularly.

Where to get it: Mostly you can get it from the developers, for examples, release pages of the Mainsail, the Fluiddipi, or get them from the communities. Or you can build your own by manually install with the Kiauh.

e) Slicing Profiles

Slicing settings are very important in Klipper printings, it saves your time and helps you to archive your goal of printing fast and good. The printing speed becomes faster, so the old setting doesn’t work anymore, unless you print as slow as before.

Where to get it: Usually you can get them from the manufactures. For some popular models, you can also find them from the communities.

For guys who are using KINGROON models, you can download the above files and find many tutorials from our site. Just searching “Klipper”. The slicing files are also going to be updated, support all the KINGROON models and with more materials.

1.2 How to set up Klipper and print

You can search for “Klipper” on our site and get reference from our tutorials. For KINGROON 3D printer users, you can follow the tutorials directly.

1.2.1 Flash the Klipper firmware

If your printer is using the 64-bit mainboard, all you need to do is to rename the bin file, copy it to the SD card, put it into the printer, then reboot it to flash directly.

For 128-bit mainboard, you need to use some tools like ST-LINK and open the printer.

1.2.2 Flash the system image to the SD card

Once you get a computer like a raspberry pi 2 and the related system images like a Mainsail OS release, then you can flash it to the SD card with balenaEtcher, Win32DiskImager or Raspberry Pi Imager.

1.2.3 Connect the Printer and Computer

After that, connect the printer, computer and internet. Then you should be able to find the IP address of the printer from the router dashboard and enter the Klipper dashboard with it.

1.2.4 Upload the Configuration files and test

Go to the configuration field, upload the configuration file and restart the firmware, you should be able to control the printer now. Run a few tests, you are all set with Klipper.

1.2.5 Slicing and Printing

If you are using OrcaSlicer or PrusaSlicer, import the slicing profiles directly and add your IP address to the slicer, you can print with the Slicer directly.

1.3 Tips about Klipper

a) Make sure the prints stick well

Since Klipper prints more faster than before, you need to use some glue stick on the build plate to make sure your prints stick well.  Check your prints in time or use a webcam to monitor it. Or the fallen prints may ruin your hoend.

b) Do calibrations

PID Tunings, Input Shaper test, Pressure Advance test and all the calibration process in OrcaSlicer, those are necessary to help you use Klipper.

c) Do not update

For those who are not familiar with Klipper project, do not update the Klipper components manually, it will avoid system failures that you cannot handle with. Update the system image   

d) Do not change Configuration files

For those who are not familiar with Klipper project, do not change anything in the configuration files, unless you can find the tutorials.

e) Use all-in-one configuration file instead of divided ones

The “SAVE_CONFIG” command only works for all-in-one configuration file, so that you don’t have to edit the settings manually in the individual configuration files. For example, bed leveling, PID tuning or input shaper test.

f) Check wire connections and do regular maintenance.

The printer is now running faster, checking the wire connections is especially important for new printers. They are usually made in China, shipped to the local warehouse from thousand miles away, it is hard to avoid shipping damages. Letting the manufactures handle the broken parts or accessories will help to save you time.

For old models, it is necessary to do regular maintenance, for example, use lubricating grease, check the belt tensions, replace the worn-out parts, clean the linear rails, and so on.

g) Use high speed SD card

The Klipper do requires the read and write speed for your SD cards, you should use at least a class 10 SD card. For those who have plans for taking time lapse videos, the storage of your SD card should be at least 32GB. A cheap or slower SD card may cause sudden system failures or system collapse. If you can, the best way is to use EMMC chips, they are way faster and more stable. For the KLP1 and KP3S Pro V2, we are about to release the 32GB EMMC chips.

h) Use power supply with enough voltage.

To avoid system failure and some other issues, you better check the PI you use and see what is the required input voltage, then use the qualified power supply.

1.4 Where to get support

It is important to find the right person and provide the necessary information to getting an efficient help. For those common problems with the Klipper project, you should be able to find helps from the communities or wait for the Klipper updates.

For hardware issues that needs replacement parts, you should come to the seller or the manufacture in the first time.

When do that, providing with necessary information, such as order number, photos or videos to show the problems or systems failures are actually saving your time. Long text without any photos or videos are useless for those technical guys to diagnose your machines and wasting your time.

For KINGROON users, you can get most of the above support on our site. We released the first Klipper tutorial on December 11 of 2021, then have all the models compatible with Klipper on July 17, 2022. And recently we updated new configuration files to enable 3D touch.

But those are not all, our updating and support are still on, like the updating Klipper project.

1.5.1 Klipper Firmware for KINGROON Models (Non-Klipper)

As long as your printer use the KP3 mainboard, you can flash this firmware directly. But please prepare all the required thing before that.

Download:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17sxwDrQRVNSZQpHgh_-WOo-v8eyEVQRR?usp=sharing

1.5.2 Klipper Bundles

KP3S Klipper Bundles: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ofdt3cI-jaq-3vhi_M0x7jDb05TNDMH6?usp=sharing

KP3S Pro/KP3S Pro S1 Klipper Bundles:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wlxhkYVkU_tr-NuFbUkt7umakp2xaN5K?usp=sharing

KP5M Klipper Bundles:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nwKD_oI6Vh5pbRGr2isVEDNofsdcVhZM?usp=sharing

KP5L Klipper Bundles:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1usUqXXuqWOOKNAJOO1SQJdmYKYkSXeEB?usp=sharing

Orange Pi Zero 2 Klipper Bundle:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZK4M_jXE4-4-cLwCiCDr9w8sy6MrX7j3?usp=sharing 

Klipper Buldles contains everything you need for Klipper, including firmware, configuration, slicing profiles and test prints.

1.5.3 Klipper Configuration

KP3S Klipper Configuration:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RTKC1voaQNjIUj42q9BtpkaSFqBAYzLl?usp=sharing

KP3S Pro/KP3S Pro S1 Klipper Configuration:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KX6q8tlK0yrl8sPc7I3163qRNdvcQlR-?usp=sharing

KP5M Klipper Configuration:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fV8s3CPWxs1alZOPRgP7p58-fdLUuUWS?usp=sharing

KP5L Klipper Configuration:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jWNsW66PzWjdJHuY-D93vww7p614pavx?usp=sharing

1.5.4 Slicing Profiles

KP3S OrcaSlicer Profile(all metal hotend) : https://1drv.ms/f/s!AmGcVrncIH3ZlD2pRP3oxSYWYXHL?e=azHwbH

KLP1 OrcaSlicer Profile : https://1drv.ms/f/s!AmGcVrncIH3Zk2otPcnHZrOZPGA5?e=eH3KUu

KP3S Pro V2 Orca Slicer Profile: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AmGcVrncIH3Zk2lBqc72A8oVQf-U?e=ZEUpYw

1.5.5 Text tutorials

How to Prepare Klipper Firmware for Kingroon KP3S Using Fluiddpi

How to get Klipper Screen in 5 Minutes

How to Set up Klipper on KINGROON KP5L 3D Printers

How to Set Up and Use the FlSun Speed Pad on Your KINGROON 3D

How to upgrade your KP3S 3D Printer with All metal hotend and CHT Nozzle

How to use 3D Touch on KINGROON KP3S Pro with the Klipper Firmware

1.5.6 Video tutorials

How to Prepare Klipper Firmware for Kingroon KP3S Using Fluiddpi

Set up Klipper Configuration for the KINGROON KP3S 3D Printers and print

Use the Flsun Speeder Pad with the KINGROON KP3S Pro Part 1 set up and Print

Use the Flsun Speeder Pad with the KINGROON KP3S Pro Part 2 Calibrate and Advanced settings

1.5.7 Things for Klipper

3D Touch Leveling Sensor & Probe:https://kingroon.com/products/3d-bltouch-leveling-sensor

Rapid PLA Filament: https://kingroon.com/collections/rapid-filament