Some notes on my Geeetech I3 Pro Alu 3D-Printer as well as a pre-configured Marlin firmware and a simple dockerized firmware builder.

• Assembly
• Send Gcode to the printer
  • PID tuning
• Custom Marlin Firmware
• Modifications
  • Nozzle cooler (for original MK8 extruder)
  • Z-axis anti wobble
  • Base clamps
  • E3Dv6 and bowden extruder upgrade
    • Extruder assembly
    • Extruder mount
    • Mount for E3Dv6 and new X-Carriage
    • Nozzle cooling fan
    • Cura settings for the E3Dv6 setup
  • Filament spool roller
• Evolution of calibration cubes
• What's next?
• Useful links
• Author
• License

• some parts where not manfuctured very accurate (e.g. the holes in the x-axis idle ends), so I had to use a rasp to make the smooth rods fit.
• I had problems with the Z-axis (Z-axis often got stuck) until I mounted the Z-Axis nuts as shown here:

Use a terminal like e.g. picocom to send gcode commands directly to the printer:

$  picocom --imap lfcrlf -c -b 250000 /dev/ttyUSB0
G28<ENTER>

End picocom with CTRL+A CTRL+Q.

Alternatively run make terminal if using the firmware builder.

TODO

The printer is controlled by the so-called "3-in-one" printer box, which hosts a GT2560.

I updated the firmware to marlin v1.1.9 with manual bed levelling enabled.

The firmware directory contains my marlin configurations as well as infos on how to use my self-contained dockerized firmware builder.

Log of the modifications I did over the time, in chronological order.

After getting the printer up and running, this was the first upgrade I printed, which improved overall printing quality. It's also possible to add a distance sensor, which I obviously not yet have added. Since I use the manual bed levelling feature of Marlin, levelling became very easy, so that an auto levelling sensor has no priority for me at the moment.

• Model: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1540434

Printed, but not yet installed.

• Model: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1424358
• See it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYswkbC_AX0

The base clamps stabilize the printer on the the board.

• Model: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1502838

In June 2020 I modified the 3d-printer to use a E3Dv6 hotend and a bowden extruder.

I again changed the extruder (22.06.2020) to this Redrex model. This time, it came with proper instructions and is overall of better quality than the old one.

I used this mount to attach the bowden extruder to the aluminium frame of the I3A Pro: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3513863

I attached the mount to the left side of the printer.

To mount the E3Dv6 I used this mount with integrated cooling:

• https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1632847 and this X-Carriage:
• https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2514659

The X-Carriage uses M3 screws while the E3Dv6 mount uses M4 screws, I ended up enlarging the drill holes of the X-Carriage to M4 size. I also needed to extend the Z-Axis end switch screw, which originally was to short for use with the new X-Carriage.

The new fan and duct used (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1632847) are so effective, that at 100% fan power, I always got "E1 Thermal runaway" errors. By limiting the fan power to 50% (in Cura) everything was fine.

The fan is connected to the PWM FAN connector (upper two pins).

The fan can be tested using gcode commands:

• Turn nozzle fan (P0) off: M106 P0 S0
• Set nozzle fan to 50%: M106 P0 S128

• Max fan speed 50%

I replaced the original filament spool by this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2185015

Let's see how it works (25.06.2020)

Testcubes printed in chronological order 1..6..10, A..C etc. Unfortunately I lost some of my notes which documented the printer settings used :-(

• 1 - my first "successful" 3d-print

• A - after switch to Marlin 1.1.9, 210° / 50°
• B - 210° / 50° - last print with original MK8 hotend
• C - 210° / 50° - first print with E3Dv6 bowden setup. Significant improvements in the details and reduced ghosting.

• auto bed levelling
• install Z-axis anti-wobble
• test different printing beds (e.g. glass)
• test marlin 2.0 firmware

• Firmware official: http://www.geeetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=17046
• i3a Pro community provided firmware: http://www.geeetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=62050

(c) 2020 by Jan Delgado

MIT