Dive Deep into the World of Tech with Carolina!
A question I frequently get asked by my lovely readers is, How can I bridge my Raspberry Pi with the Ender 3 or a related 3D printer and unleash a plethora of innovative functions? Fear not! With the right setup, you can remotely control your 3D printer and even keep a watchful eye on your printing progress. So, fellow tech fans, let’s journey through the process of linking your Raspberry Pi to the Ender 3.
Guide to Bridging Raspberry Pi with Ender 3 (Pro/V2/S1)
1. Invest in the Raspberry Pi – Start by acquiring the Raspberry Pi suitable for your Ender 3. The optimal choices are Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B plus, or 4B. Alongside, ensure you have an SD Card (perhaps the reliable SanDisk 32GB) and a 5V Power Supply Unit equipped with a USB-C cable for the Raspberry Pi 4B.
2. Procure the OctoPi Image File and Balena Etcher – The subsequent move is to fetch the OctoPi image file tailored for your Raspberry Pi to establish communication with the Ender 3. Simultaneously, grab the Balena Etcher software, your toolkit to flash the OctoPi image file onto the Raspberry Pi, transforming the SD card into a launchable storage module.
3. Infuse the OctoPi Image File onto your SD Card – With the OctoPi image software in hand and your SD card prepped, trigger the Balena Etcher software and commence the flashing. For Mac users, be ready with your admin access to culminate the flashing.
4. Tweak the Network Configuration File on the SD Card – Scout for the “OctoPi-wpa-supplicant.txt” on the SD card and swing it open with your favored text editor. Direct yourself to the pertinent Wi-Fi network section and do the needful adjustments for seamless connectivity.
5. Fortify the Raspberry Pi’s Security Framework – Now, time to enhance the fortress! Sync with an SSH client to ensure a smooth sail when connecting to Octoprint via a browser. For this, get chatty with your Command prompt or Terminal. Follow the dialogue boxes and, voilà, you’re in the Pi’s realm.
6. Personalize Other Raspberry Pi Settings – Get creative and modify other configurations like the hostname or time zone. Maybe even christen it after your printer! Once satisfied, a quick reboot, and you’re set.
7. Embark on the Setup Quest with the Setup Wizard – With the hostname modified, punch in the new URL on a device sharing the Raspberry Pi’s Wi-Fi network. An inviting setup wizard awaits. Craft your Octoprint credentials, keeping them distinct from the super-user ones crafted earlier. Ensure you also adapt the printer’s blueprint, especially focusing on aspects like build volume dimensions and the nozzle diameter.
8. Marry the Raspberry Pi to the Ender 3 – The grand finale! Intertwine the USB cable to the Raspberry Pi and connect its counterpart to the Ender 3. Your vigilant Octoprint interface should promptly acknowledge this union. Tinker with the auto-connect feature if you wish for an automatic pairing every time your Raspberry Pi wakes up. Why not kickstart a trial print and marvel at the Octoprint interface in action?
For those who are visually inclined, do scout for a walkthrough video from BV3D to satiate your curiosity.
Stay curious, stay techy!