Anet A8 with Sprite Extruder and Klipper Slow Print Configuration

This repository contains configurations for a modified Anet A8 printer with an Ender 3 motherboard, Klipper firmware, and Creality Sprite extruder. The configurations are specifically optimized for slow, stable printing to resolve glitching and fast speed issues.

Files Included

• 3d_printer_annet/printer.cfg - Klipper configuration with reduced speed/acceleration settings
• 3d_printer_annet/orca_slicer/print_settings.ini - Orca Slicer configuration file with slow print profiles
• 3d_printer_annet/orca_slicer/xecut_tuned_v1.orca_printer - Bundled Orca Slicer configuration (printer, filament, and process settings)

Klipper Setup Instructions

1. Update Your Klipper Configuration:

   • Make a backup of your existing printer.cfg file
   • Replace or update your configuration with the settings in the provided 3d_printer_annet/printer.cfg
   • Key changes include:
     • Reduced max_velocity (100 mm/s)
     • Reduced max_accel (500 mm/s²)
     • Reduced Z axis speeds
     • Added pressure advance settings for the Sprite extruder
     • Added PRINT_START and PRINT_END macros
     • Added gcode_arcs support for G2/G3 commands

2. Restart Klipper:

   • After updating your configuration, restart Klipper to apply the changes
   • Check for any errors in the Klipper logs

Orca Slicer Setup Instructions

Method 1: Direct Import (Recommended)

1. Download and Install Orca Slicer (if not already installed):

   • Download from: https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/releases
   • Install on your computer

2. Import Configuration Bundle:

   • Open Orca Slicer
   • Go to "File" → "Import" → "Import Config Bundle"
   • Select the 3d_printer_annet/orca_slicer/xecut_tuned_v1.orca_printer file
   • This will import all printer, filament, and process profiles at once

Method 2: Using the INI File

1. Import Print Settings:
   • Open Orca Slicer
   • Go to "File" → "Import" → "Import Config"
   • Select the 3d_printer_annet/orca_slicer/print_settings.ini file
   • This will import the "Slow and Stable" print profile, "PLA Slow" filament profile, and "Anet A8 Klipper" printer profile

Method 3: Command Line Extraction and Manual Import

If you need to examine or modify the configuration files before importing, you can extract and view them using the command line:

1. Extract the Configuration Files:

   # Create an extraction directory
   mkdir -p /tmp/orca_extract
   
   # Copy the configuration bundle
   cp path/to/3d_printer_annet/orca_slicer/xecut_tuned_v1.orca_printer /tmp/orca_extract/
   
   # Change to the extraction directory
   cd /tmp/orca_extract
   
   # Extract the files (the .orca_printer file is actually a zip archive)
   unzip xecut_tuned_v1.orca_printer

2. Examine the Extracted Files:

   • printer/xecut_tuned_v1.json - Printer settings
   • filament/ - Various filament profiles
   • process/ - Print process profiles
   • bundle_structure.json - Metadata about the configuration bundle

3. Manual Import in Orca Slicer: After reviewing/modifying the files, you can:

   • Import individual configurations via "File" → "Import" → "Import Config"
   • Or repackage the files into a zip archive and rename it with the .orca_printer extension

Configuring G2/G3 Arc Commands

If you experience "Unknown command: G2" or "Unknown command: G3" errors:

1. Enable Arc Support in Klipper:

   • Make sure your printer.cfg includes:

     [gcode_arcs]
     resolution: 0.1
     

   • Restart Klipper after adding this section

2. OR Disable Arc Commands in Orca Slicer:

   • Go to "Print Settings" → "Expert" → "G-code options"
   • Uncheck "Use G2/G3 commands for curves"
   • Save the profile

Verify Settings

• Check that your printer profile has these settings:
  • G-code flavor: Klipper
  • Start G-code: START_PRINT EXTRUDER=[first_layer_temperature] BED=[first_layer_bed_temperature]
  • End G-code: PRINT_END
• Check that the "Slow and Stable" print profile has:
  • Perimeter speeds: 30 mm/s
  • External perimeter speed: 25 mm/s
  • First layer speed: 15 mm/s
  • All accelerations set to 500 mm/s² or lower

Additional Notes

• The Sprite extruder works best with lower retraction settings (0.5mm)
• Consider enabling "Z hop on retraction" if you have z-banding issues
• PLA works best at lower speeds when cooling is limited
• For more information about Klipper configurations, see: https://www.klipper3d.org/Config_Reference.html