Adding BLTouch to Anycubic I3 Mega for ABL Tutorial

thingiverse

BLTouch on Anycubic I3 Mega (Version 2 with ultrabase) - Requires 8-bit version This firmware is designed to work with minimal modification from stock for BLTouch integration into the Anycubic I3 Mega. If you haven't already, I highly suggest upgrading to TMC2208 drivers. They are much quieter, and can be purchased in a pack of five at an affordable price. You only need X and Y axis drivers, but getting five is not a bad idea due to their low cost. A BLTouch probe is required - the cheapest price available, and used for firmware coding. Make this mount using ABS/High heat tolerant filament, and install it as far away from the hotend as possible using M3 screws and nuts. Download the PDF for clear instructions on how to install the BLTouch to the Anycubic I3 Mega. Link to firmware using Marlin 1.1.8 with ABL enabled. Firmware also uses Z-endstop for G28 command to level bed, and G29 uses BLTouch to measure bed surface. Flash this firmware: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/igl7ny8afryajq1/AADOUzbKtO8QfU5q04TysJdna?dl=0 It will use BLTouch 5 x 5 point grid. The original firmware is based off derhopp and beaving - uses the latest marlin build. Usual disclaimer: do this at your own risk, but it works well for me. PDF of instructions attached to this group. Link to Facebook discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122568018406103/permalink/164536894209215/ For those who want to play with the firmware, the uncompiled version is here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/stfyx6pmew2cwir/AABJQFy3XqVwAQRFrmpxkupia?dl=0 Note: If after creating this and using the G29 command, you find the right side thickness of extrusion is much less than left side i.e. right side 1st layer is very thin, while left side 1st layer is much thicker, then you have a problem with the X carriage as I found out. Print the following Bowden X carriage mount and Carriage converter which is designed to fit the Anycubic I3 Mega. It is an excellent design, fits perfectly, but you will need to buy a new 6mm timing belt, as the one with the stock anycubic I3 mega is too short to reach for the new x carriage. The firmware is slightly different due to different probe height and x/y axis position relative to the extruder. Download from my files section in the link above (Dropbox) the Bowden X-Carriage version of the file. X carriage - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2023947 - Print the one with the BLTouch and Fan (40mm) - works great. X carriage converter - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2838383 I found that using 2 bearings for the upper and lower poles of the converter to help with stability, so you need minimum 4 in total like below: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/EIMrNz7 You can also print out linear bearings if you wish, but I find these are pretty good. And you'll need 6mm timing belt like below: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/znIU7Aa No more issues with inconsistent bed levelling with the BLTouch. So likely it was the stock carriage and poor x axis alignment with it from design caused the carriage to change its angle as it moved along the x axis, throwing off the calibration values and hence the right side of the print on first layer was much closer than the left, something a few people have noted across a few different printers. I'll be updating this with more mods I've performed on my printer, and what I've found has worked, and what hasn't.