CR6Community / Marlin

This Marlin fork has the goal of cleaning-up the source code changes for the CR-6 so it can be merged upstream. We also want to extend the functionality to make it fully functional
GNU General Public License v3.0
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Provisional release notes for CR-6 community firmware release 5 beta #84

Closed Sebazzz closed 3 years ago

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

First of all I want to thank everyone who has been testing the alpha 4 release of the community firmware. All the testing and feedback has made this firmware better and better. This is truly a community firmware.

In the period between then and now, my Creality CR-6 has died and from its ashes it became alive once again with a BigTreeTech SKR CR-6 board. A while later I also received a new Creality CR-6 SE with the v4.5.3 motherboard. It took a while for that one to arrive, then a while for the firmware source code to be released, so it has caused some delays to get real work done. Yet, some users were able to test some fixes I was able to do without a operational printer.

TL;DR: CR-6 MAX support, SD card folder support, better Octoprint support, BigTreeTech SKR CR-6 support, native and improved filament sensor support, many stability and ABL accuracy improvements, rebased on latest Marlin, and enabled the watchdog safety feature

Table of contents

Special thanks to...

If you like to contribute to the community firmware, in one way or the other, please check the home page of the Creality CR-6 community firmware.

Other news

Major features across firmware editions

Note: This is still a beta formally - because this is based on a unreleased version of Marlin. However, thanks to the amount of effort that has gone into it, I'm confident it should be a pretty stable release!

Safety

Important safety feature: We now enabled the watchdog for STM32F1 processors - if Marlin would freeze from some reason (like due to SD card issues) the printer is automatically reset and the heaters are disabled - this feature is not enabled on the stock Creality or BTT firmware

User interface

This release features an entirely refreshed user interface by @grobux! Improved font spacing, improved graphics. JPEG artifacts be gone!

image

In addition we implemented toggles allowing you to decide if you want to hear sounds from the touch screen (or not), and if you like the touch screen display to dim to 10% on idle (30 seconds currently).

qol-settings

We've also implemented that you can tune the flow rate (the amount of filament extruded) during the print from the "tuning" screen. Very useful when tuning in new filaments. You can also control and review the fan speed percentage from the tuning screen.

flow-rate-tuning

You can also now quickly set the bed and hot-end temperature by tapping the temperature in the footer.

On the print screen we've added displays for the fan speed, flow rate, and X/Y/Z axis positions:

image

On this screen you can also set the hotend and bed temperature by directly tapping the numbers.

SD card folder support

We support navigation through folders on your SD card. No longer are you limited to 5 pages of gcode files. You can organise your SD card in folders.

folder-support

Hardware support

Octoprint

We have improved Octoprint support. We show the printer status messages also on the home screen.

image

The filament sensor is working and Octoprint acts on it - it pauses the print. Make sure you have the correct gcode in Octoprint so it parks the nozzle.

image

In addition when an Octoprint print starts we automatically show the "printing" screen with full access to all details and tuning options. You can also set the print progress using the the detailed progress plugin.

Reliability

Detailed Changes

Changes specific when using Creality v4.5.2 and v4.5.3 motherboards

Changes specific when using the Creality stock display

Changes specific to BTT SKR CR6 boards

image

Changes specific to BTT SKR CR6 firmware with BTT TFT

Comparison to Creality firmware

See for a full list the Community firmware 4 alpha release notes, but some highlights here:

Some bugs fixed

Some bugs may be fixed in the Creality v2.x firmware too - this list compares to the Creality v1.0.3.7 firmware on which the BTT SKR firmware is also based.

Known issues

When using the Creality stock touch screen:

For the BTT SKR CR6 board:

Features not available in this firmware

Flashing instructions

Note: This release is accompanied by a new firmware for the touch screen. This release and the new touch screen firmware goes hand-in-hand - one cannot be used without the other.

Touch screen flashing instructions

This release of the touch screen firmware comes with a new version of DGUS OS (the underlying operating system of the touch screen) to fix text rendering issues.

Flashing instructions are also available as a video - this video is for the Ender 3 V2 but the same procedure applies to the CR-6. For instructions, check the README.txt in the touch screen firmware download.

For this release the touch screen firmware and flashing instructions is included in the firmware release package. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. If you experience issues, try flashing the touch screen a second or even a third time. It doesn't always "take" all the files. Sorry - hardware limitation!

Mainboard / Marlin flashing instructions

  1. If you like to remember what settings you had, run M503 in a serial monitor.
  2. Use an empty SD card formatted FAT32 4096KB sector size.
  3. Put the firmware ".bin" file downloadable from the
  4. When using Windows - do a "safe removal" to remove your SD card.
  5. Put the SD card in the printer.
  6. Either turn the printer off, then on again or issue command M997 from Octoprint/Pronterface.
    • BTT SKR boards will flash the hot-end led while the firmware is flashed and rename the firmware.bin file to firmware.cur.
    • Creality boards will give no indication of correct flashing - except for the fact that it took a few seconds for the flashing to complete
  7. Verify the firmware is flashed by issuing M115 or going to "Control -> Info" on the touch screen.
  8. You can now remove the file from the SD card.
  9. After flashing go to the menu and reset to factory settings or issue M502 followed by M500 in Octoprint - do this also if you have been running an earlier release. You need to relevel the bed, recalibrate the z-offset, reprogram esteps (if you've changed them from defaults), and do a PID tune (if you find that the heating is not reliable for you or if you use high temperature plastics like ABS and nylon).

File listing

The files can be downloaded from the assets section at the bottom of the page. You can find the description of the files below.

File name                                                        Description                                                SHA256 hash
---------                                                        -----------                                                -----------
CF5Beta-btt-skr-cr6-with-btt-tft-2020-12-30-14-17.zip            CR-6 SE with BigTreeTech SKR CR6 and BTT TFT               8857E1B8B7711BFDC1A929CB72D6A39708F4D961FEEECC879EFF0C06C1C39349
CF5Beta-btt-skr-cr6-with-stock-creality-tft-2020-12-30-14-18.zip CR-6 SE with BigTreeTech SKR CR6 and stock Creality screen B1381FCC664ABF0881A8F004317372959683530D17367B859062C1B63EED17A7
CF5Beta-cr6-max-2020-12-30-14-18.zip                             CR-6 MAX                                                   53E9E79819DB3A6F3F7D748AAC558450D6BBD64BDA297F5E7A8AB8EE9A6A4368
CF5Beta-cr6-se-v4.5.2-mb-2020-12-30-14-19.zip                    CR-6 SE (v4.5.2 motherboard)                               68429FA9A3EF8991350F487C502A9E2BE17EEB6A32AA9E006AE23BBB8F778B43
CF5Beta-cr6-se-v4.5.3-mb-2020-12-30-14-19.zip                    CR-6 SE (v4.5.3 motherboard)                               FD5F324A6854780128C4C1029D24BA0C551965AC255D16E87369783AC54AAD42

As mentioned above, while touching the bed we turn off the hot-end momentarily. If you don't want that, you can use the builds below. Only use these if you have a good reason to do so.

File name                                                                      Description                                                SHA256 hash
---------                                                                      -----------                                                -----------
CF5Beta-ProbeHeaterOn-btt-skr-cr6-with-btt-tft-2020-12-30-14-23.zip            CR-6 SE with BigTreeTech SKR CR6 and BTT TFT               8DAB7511366D728404AA2DBA0F7E71F79E8159F2C59696CFD563532921F3E15B
CF5Beta-ProbeHeaterOn-btt-skr-cr6-with-stock-creality-tft-2020-12-30-14-23.zip CR-6 SE with BigTreeTech SKR CR6 and stock Creality screen CF454E418F29B1A1DC63FE7029BDD51A357A6233AC60627CCC6AD4A0406AF4F2
CF5Beta-ProbeHeaterOn-cr6-max-2020-12-30-14-24.zip                             CR-6 MAX                                                   BAB76A8F420A1382C0467D4C404E256C54D091E40774C15C0F6AB49400103161
CF5Beta-ProbeHeaterOn-cr6-se-v4.5.2-mb-2020-12-30-14-24.zip                    CR-6 SE (v4.5.2 motherboard)                               B078D475192536F78B5EBB804C988834CB321700BAC8A669DCE28D5F426B22AC
CF5Beta-ProbeHeaterOn-cr6-se-v4.5.3-mb-2020-12-30-14-25.zip                    CR-6 SE (v4.5.3 motherboard)                               3430FA98BF96B99270DA2F789292759D5D0A14E3CF67D14EBD611699EB51CB26

Note: The files with ProbeHeaterOn keeps the hot-end heated while probing - in our experience this decreases bed leveling accuracy and cause a drifing Z-offset - but some people prefer it this way. You have a choice.

Rollback instructions

To completely roll back to an earlier release:

FAQ

Some frequently asked questions. Your question will most likely be answered here!

How do I know if I have a Creality v4.5.2 or v4.5.3 motherboard?

Does it matter if I flash the touch screen or motherboard firmware first?

No - you can do it in either order.

I'm having trouble flashing the touch screen firmware / things aren't working / I'm seeing garbled or missing text

Try reflashing your touch screen firmware. Read the flashing instructions carefully. The DWIN stock touch screen is very picky when it comes to SD cards. Sorry, we nor Creality can't change this.

After flashing the touch screen it only shows a black display

This has occurred to some users while upgrading to either official or community firmware, but it is unclear why this happens.

Make sure you haven't accidentally shorted the PCB of the touch screen when you attempted to flash it. Because the DWIN touch screen uses SRAM, it takes a while for the error condition to clear. Turn off the printer for 5 minutes or more and try reflashing the touch screen.

My stepper motors run the wrong way (BTT SKR CR6 board only)

There has been one report for the BTT SKR CR6 board by which the stepper motor turns the wrong way. You need to compile the firmware yourself. For most users the direction is correct though.

Reporting issues

Please follow the instructions here carefully.

Troubleshooting

Feature requests are welcome! Let us know in the issue tracker!

Contibuting

Your contributions are very welcome!

Some final notes

The CR-6 community firmware team wishes you a happy and healthy 2021!

Downloads below - find the correct download in the file listing above

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

“ Enable G29 bed leveling mesh validation tool” may be typo?
Mesh validation tool is G26.

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

Fixed it. Thanks for proof reading it.

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

Fixed it. Thanks for proof reading it.

Thank you for writing such complete and readable documentation. I hope more people take the time to read it before posting issues that are already answered therein.

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

Fixed it. Thanks for proof reading it.

Thank you for writing such complete and readable documentation. I hope more people take the time to read it before posting issues that are already answered therein.

You and me both, mate 😉

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

“ Pre-heat PLA and ABS temperatures are properly shown in the touch screen interface” ABS label was changed to PETG in the stock Creality version.

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

"Heaters are turned off when the actual probe is done to decrease electrical noise, which then causes Z-offset and bed leveling inaccuracies"

I find that phrasing to be ambiguous.
If I may, I suggest this version may be more clear:

"Heaters are turned off while the actual probing is done. This reduces electrical noise which may otherwise cause inaccuracies in the Z-Offset and Bed Leveling measurements."

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

Thanks, updated it

Beeble2695 commented 3 years ago

Good write-up! Only point i have resulting from the discord chat there was about terminology:

Support M701/M702 filament load/unload. With @grobux changing it to Extrude/Retract the terminology should be part of the sentence.

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

“ If you go to the home/info screen though, you can see it heats ups though.” Typo. Should read, “ If you go to the home/info screen, though, you can see it heat up.”

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

“ After flashing go to the menu and reset to factory settings or issue M502 followed by M500 in Octoprint - do this also if you have been running an earlier release. You need to relevel the bed, reset the z-offset, and reprogram esteps (if you've changed them from defaults).”

I recommend you add “redo PID” to the list of things to be done after flashing, in step 8.

I use M303 E0 S205 U and M303 E-1 S50 U routinely after M502. The U saves me having to enter the PID parameters, and could be coded into a small .gcode file to print from the SD card if people don’t use their serial port.

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

Since G28 now turns off the heaters while probing, and some folks have G28 in their start code, it might help folks to include some advice about reconfiguring their starting gcode to move M109 to after G28 in their start code, if they are currently using Cura and/or M109. It may even be appreciated if you add a section wth recommended start and stop gcoding with explanations.

flofreud commented 3 years ago

It may even be appreciated if you add a section wth recommended start and stop gcoding with explanations.

That. I assume that a recommendation of start and stop GCode will reduce the support requests :)

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

It may even be appreciated if you add a section wth recommended start and stop gcoding with explanations.

That. I assume that a recommendation of start and stop GCode will reduce the support requests :)

I'Il add a link to this page - but that G28 cools down after or overrides temperatures is a blocker IMHO, we can't ask people to reslice their stuff.

edit: Opened bug #90 for that.

Support M701/M702 filament load/unload. With @grobux changing it to Extrude/Retract the terminology should be part of the sentence.

Load/unload is the gcode description - it is unrelated to the touch screen

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

I'Il add a link to this page

That is a great resource page.
Hopefully, an FAQ will reduce the probability that a disappointing number of users still post bug reports when they notice that their prints are starting before the nozzle temps get back up to their target settings.

but that G28 cools down after or overrides temperatures is a blocker IMHO, we can't ask people to reslice their stuff.

Maybe I am different that way - I slice every time. I don't maintain an inventory of past gcodes that I would not want to "reslice".

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

I've made some additional changes and added some imagery.

Botap commented 3 years ago

Hi, I really would like to try the release 5 beta but for some reason I am missing the point on how to download the files. I can't see the 'assets' section :-( Hope you will be able to explain to me. Thanks in advance

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

Hi, I really would like to try the release 5 beta but for some reason I am missing the point on how to download the files. I can't see the 'assets' section :-( Hope you will be able to explain to me. Thanks in advance

These a pre-release notes. There are no assets yet, because it is not released yet. If you would like a early look at CF5, you can find a developmental version on their Discord channel.

https://discord.com/channels/759603746270609428/791082544899555358

ThisIsMyUniqueUsername commented 3 years ago

I tried this and it resolved several issues - Z-offset is now saved after reboot, but only when set from the main menu, not the value adjusted during print - could this be also be saved permanently?

Also I used to set my z-offset to 0.15-0.2, now it's down to 0.1 for correct squish, is this the result of "improved homing accuracy"?

The second issue I noticed is connected to the heater turned off during homing. Because it takes so long my nozzle temp can drop drastically before the print starts, especially in a cold room (it's winter here). Basically the nozzle preheats to 200'C, then homes and by the time it starts extruding the line on the right it's down to about 170'c. With large prints it has enough time to get back to the working temp on skirt, but printing a small item can be problematic.

Does turning off the heater during homing really improve accuracy that much? I've never had issues with it before, so I'm not sure if the tradeoff is worth it.

Please let me know if you'd like me to log it as a bug or FR separately.

Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

With Flow Rate and Feed Rate both now having the same speedometer icons, and both being measured in %, it makes the footer display less clear. Might want to consider a way to clarify that?

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

With Flow Rate and Feed Rate both now having the same speedometer icons, and both being measured in %, it makes the footer display less clear. Might want to consider a way to clarify that?

This is your cue @grobux 😀

BubuMVX commented 3 years ago

Your comment is on point, I'm already thinking about a new design for the footer. There is much more infos to display than before, and the current design isn't suited.

BubuMVX commented 3 years ago

With Flow Rate and Feed Rate both now having the same speedometer icons, and both being measured in %, it makes the footer display less clear. Might want to consider a way to clarify that?

I kept things pretty basic and replaced icons with labels, as I'm lacking space and creativity (for now at least).

The branch extui-dev of CR6Community/CR-6-touchscreen has the new design.

Raw preview:

image

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

Feel free to go on icon hunt @Thinkersbluff 😉

BubuMVX commented 3 years ago

Is the fan speed missing/required on this screen?

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

Fan speed is indeed missing

Met vriendelijke groet, Sebastiaan Dammann


Van: Romain notifications@github.com Verzonden: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 2:07:09 AM Aan: CR6Community/Marlin Marlin@noreply.github.com CC: Sebastiaan Dammann sebastiaandammann@outlook.com; Author author@noreply.github.com Onderwerp: Re: [CR6Community/Marlin] Provisional release notes for CR-6 community firmware release 5 beta (#84)

Is the fan speed missing/required on this screen?

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Thinkersbluff commented 3 years ago

Feel free to go on icon hunt @Thinkersbluff 😉

Inspired by Fig 3 in this article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40430-020-02610-0

LoadIcon

UNLoadIcon

If something like this is readable at the desired scale, it may also work for Flow Rate?

Sebazzz commented 3 years ago

Let's release this baby.