klipper_estimator
is a tool for determining the time a print will take using
the Klipper firmware. Currently it provides the following modes:
estimate
mode outputs detailed statistics about a print jobpost-process
mode can be used as a Slicer post-processing script, updating
the gcode output file with corrected time estimates.dump-moves
mode dumps planning data for every move in a fileThe estimation is done using an implementation of Klippers kinematics, but may in some cases be slightly off due to rounding modes. If the timing is far off(e.g. more than a minute over a >12 hour print), this is considered a bug.
Note that currently delta kinematic limits are not implemented.
klipper_estimator
Pre-built binaries are available for the latest release on the GitHub Releases page. If you wish to build the tool yourself or poke around the source, see the Building section.
Binaries are provided for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Raspberry Pi targets. On Linux and Mac OS X, ensure that you give the downloaded file executable permissions. This can be done in the terminal as follows:
$ chmod +x klipper_estimator
Change the filename (last parameter) to match the downloaded file.
For Arch Linux, an AUR package
klipper_estimator
is
available, courtesy of Wilhelm Schuster. Thanks!
Basic usage info can be found by running klipper_estimator
with no arguments.
In order to provide accurate times, klipper_estimator
needs printer settings
including maximum velocity, acceleration, etc. It can take these either from a
config file(--config_file
option) or grab them directly from Moonraker(using
the --config_moonraker_url
option and, if authentication is required,
--config_moonraker_api_key
). Note that the Klipper configuration files cannot
be used directly.
To experiment with settings, one can use the dump-config
command together with
--config_moonraker_url
to generate a config file based on the current printer
settings. The config file can then be modified and used as input for the other
commands.
To dump a config, use e.g.:
$ ./klipper_estimator --config_moonraker_url http://192.168.0.21 dump-config > config.json
The config file format is Json5 and thus allows normal JSON with some extensions(see https://json5.org/).
After generating a config, one can use this in other commands like so:
$ ./klipper_estimator --config_file config.json estimate ...
Be aware of the following "quirks" when using klipper_estimator
compared to Klipper itself:
klipper_estimator
assumes relative extrusion and absolute movement by
default. This is different from Klipper, which assumes absolute extrusion as
well. This difference exists because klipper_estimator
can't see inside
macros. Most users use relative extrusion, and put the M83 command in their
print start macro, making it invisible to klipper_estimator
.
If you wish to use absolute extrusion, you must ensure that an M82
command
is inserted in your slicer start gcode. E.g.:
PRINT_START
M82
estimate
modeEstimation mode is useful for determining statistics about a print, in order to optimize print times. It gives a high level summary.
Basic usage:
$ ./klipper_estimator [config options] estimate ~/3DBenchy.data
Sequences:
Run 0:
Total moves: 42876
Total distance: 73313.01640025008
Total extrude distance: 3407.877500000097
Minimal time: 1h29m9.948s (5349.947936969622)
Average flow: 1.5321468696371368 mm3/s
Phases:
Acceleration: 27m4.291s
Cruise: 35m1.116s
Deceleration: 27m4.291s
Moves:
Layer times:
0 => 2.536s
... [some lines omitted for brevity]
48 => 4.834s
Kind times:
4m23.463s => FILL
2.639s => Other
18m0.185s => SOLID-FILL
28m29.706s => WALL-INNER
38m13.706s => WALL-OUTER
The calculations are done based only on the commands found in the file, with no
regards for macro expansions. This means that print_start
type macros will
count as zero seconds, as well heat up times, homing, etc. Therefore the time
output should be considered a "minimal time", assuming these extra factors take
no time.
post-process
modeIn post-process
mode klipper_estimator
directly modifies the filename passed
in in-place, updating time estimations in the file.
When using klipper_estimator
in post-process
mode, simply add a
post-processing script in your slicer like so:
/path/to/klipper_estimator --config_moonraker_url http://192.168.0.21 post-process
Change the path and config options to fit your situation.
Currently the following slicers are supported:
In PrusaSlicer, SuperSlicer, and OrcaSlicer Post-processing scripts
are set in Output Options
under Print Settings
:
Note that ideaMaker does not have support for post-processing scripts, and thus
cannot automatically run klipper_estimator
on export.
For Cura, using klipper Preprocessor is recommended. See their git repository for information on how to set up this tool.
In Simplify3D the relevant estimation command must be added under Scripts
in
the Additional terminal commands for post processing
field. This field is just called
Post Processing
in V5.x, and the command should be appended with a [output_filepath].
/path/to/klipper_estimator --config_moonraker_url http://192.168.0.21 post-process [output_filepath]
dump-moves
modeThe dump-moves
mode is used like estimate
mode, but instead of providing a
summary, move planning data is dumped for every move.
PRINT_START
/PRINT_END
macrosKlipper macros can perform arbitrarily complex operations. klipper_estimator
has no hope of estimating how long these will take, as the Jinja templates can
access any state of the read printer. However it is often the case that the
amount of print time actually spent within the macro is constant. A prime
example of this is print start macros. The macro may execute homing and heating
commands, but the print timer does not start until the first material is
extruded. This generally happens when the prime line is started.
This gives rise to an offset in print time that we cannot estimate, but the user can easily measure it after a print is over.
To compensate for this, klipper_estimator
understands the following gcode
comment(generally syntax followed by some examples):
; ESTIMATOR_ADD_TIME <duration, seconds> [description]
; E.g.:
; ESTIMATOR_ADD_TIME 21
; ESTIMATOR_ADD_TIME 21 Print start
When klipper_estimator
encounters a comment with this format, it will add the
requested duration to the total print time. The time will also be tracked as a
"move kind", if the description field is given.
Note that only the upper-case string ESTIMATOR_ADD_TIME
, on a separate comment
line, will trigger this behaviour. Any whitespace between the ;
and E
characters will however be ignored.
The intended usage of this functionality is for print start macros, when executed by the slicer. E.g. in PrusaSlicer, SuperSlicer, or OrcaSlicer, one might set their print start gcode like this:
; ESTIMATOR_ADD_TIME 20 Prime line
print_start extruder=[first_layer_temperature] bed=[first_layer_bed_temperature]
klipper_estimator
is written in Rust. Version 1.58 or newer is required to
compile the tool. Assuming a Rust toolchain is installed, along with git, one
can build klipper_estimator
by running:
$ git clone https://github.com/dalegaard/klipper_estimator.git
$ cd klipper_estimator
$ cargo build --release
// Resulting binary will be at `target/release/klipper_estimator`(.exe on Windows)
This project is in no way endorsed by the Klipper project. Please do not direct any support requests to the Klipper project.