What is this?
Klipper is firmware that controls 3D printers by combining a general-purpose computer (like a Raspberry Pi) with one or more micro-controllers on the printer board.
Klipper is firmware that controls 3D printers by combining a general-purpose computer (like a Raspberry Pi) with one or more micro-controllers on the printer board.Does it run entirely on the printer's control board, or does it need a separate computer too?It splits the job: the host computer handles the heavy motion-planning math while lightweight firmware on the printer's micro-controller(s) executes the actual stepper and heater commands, with the two communicating together.
It splits the job: the host computer handles the heavy motion-planning math while lightweight firmware on the printer's micro-controller(s) executes the actual stepper and heater commands, with the two communicating together.How do I get Klipper running on my printer?You start by installing the Klipper software, which involves flashing the micro-controller firmware and setting up the 'klippy' host software on the companion computer.
You start by installing the Klipper software, which involves flashing the micro-controller firmware and setting up the 'klippy' host software on the companion computer.What hardware do I need besides the printer's own control board?You need a general-purpose computer running the host software; a Raspberry Pi is the most common choice, paired with the printer's existing micro-controller board.
You need a general-purpose computer running the host software; a Raspberry Pi is the most common choice, paired with the printer's existing micro-controller board.Is this a drop-in replacement, or does switching firmware take real setup work?Moving to Klipper means flashing new firmware onto the micro-controller and running a separate host process on a computer, so it's a more involved swap than just updating stock firmware.
Moving to Klipper means flashing new firmware onto the micro-controller and running a separate host process on a computer, so it's a more involved swap than just updating stock firmware.Do I specifically need a Raspberry Pi, or will any computer work?Any general-purpose computer can act as the host; Raspberry Pi is the commonly used option but the project only specifies 'a general purpose computer'.
Any general-purpose computer can act as the host; Raspberry Pi is the commonly used option but the project only specifies 'a general purpose computer'.Why should I use Klipper instead of my printer's built-in firmware?Klipper offloads the complex motion math to a full computer instead of a limited printer microcontroller, which the project says enables better print quality — see its features document for the full rationale.
Klipper offloads the complex motion math to a full computer instead of a limited printer microcontroller, which the project says enables better print quality — see its features document for the full rationale.What are the two main pieces that make up Klipper?Klipper is split into micro-controller firmware that runs on the printer board and a host-side program ('klippy') that runs on the general-purpose computer, working together to drive the printer.
Klipper is split into micro-controller firmware that runs on the printer board and a host-side program ('klippy') that runs on the general-purpose computer, working together to drive the printer.What are similar projects?Marlin, micropython, muse-gadget-sdk, frank-386, linux, flipperzero-firmware, esp-sdr, mozc-devices
Marlin, micropython, muse-gadget-sdk, frank-386, linux, flipperzero-firmware, esp-sdr, mozc-devicesWhich topics is it in?3d-printing, microcontroller, low-level, firmware, systems-programming, raspberry-pi, embedded, hardware, c, gplv3, tool, linux
3d-printing, microcontroller, low-level, firmware, systems-programming, raspberry-pi, embedded, hardware, c, gplv3, tool, linux