Klipper & BTT PITFT50 Mount for Qidi Flashforge and more

prusaprinters

A while back I converted my Qidi X-Pro over to a Lerdge K and it worked great for quite some time. It wasn't perfect but it was a nice configurable upgrade that made some really nice prints. Recently when making a klicky style probe for my Qidi I may or may not have sent the full 24V back down the sensor pin releasing the magic blue smoke. Much to the credit of Lerdge's tech support as they helped me diagnose TVS and capacitors responsible for said smoke. After replacing the chips the board would get super hot and using a thermal camera showed one of the traces jumped. So out it came and in went one of my extra raspberry pi's with a BTT SKR Pico board. I mean come on a $25 board, added to an existing pi and a dash of klipper and it was up and running again. I initially used a BigTreeTech TFT43 I had and it was a perfect fit for the stock display opening. I just needed some quick mounting tabs (which I'll include here in case someone wants to go that route) and the smallest BTT screen dropped right in. Then Amazon had some big sale a few days ago and the BTT TFT50 went on sales for a great price. So here we are. I always like the 5" screen using the PITFT50 45º frame mount on my Voron here: https://github.com/VoronDesign/VoronUsers/tree/master/printer_mods/CannedBass/PITFT50_45_degree_mount So much to my surprise he included the full Fusion 360 files making this so so much easier. So if you're ever reading this thank you thank you. That link also calls for using alanho's file to hold the TFT50, here is a direct link to his page as well: https://github.com/VoronDesign/VoronUsers/tree/master/printer_mods/alanho/BTT_PITFT50_v2_Mount I also made some simple changes such that it would work with my snap in adapter here: https://www.printables.com/model/194310-qidi-xpro-upgrade-to-lerdge-k The snap in adapter was also updated to screw to the back of the 45º frame mount so that all the parts needed could be printed with no supports. The snap plate connects to the mount via 4 countersunk M3x6mm. Now I want to make a clarification on countersunk screws maybe you knew this maybe not. A M3x6mm countersunk screw has an overall length of 6mm but the threads are only 4mm long. I group my screws by thread length and if your like me don't go grabbing from your 6mm bin. The 6mm threaded length countersunk will be to long and you might break something. This adapter was designed for my Qidi XPro opening but that opening size I feel is pretty standard. The opening measured 95.3mm x 54.98mm so if your (insert brand name here) printer has an opening like this and the panel thickness isn't ¼ plate steel there is a good chance this could work for your machine too. Since all these parts are separate you could print the snap plate in under and hour and see how it fits. Items needed:BTT PITFT50 like this: https://amzn.to/3MuUORLorBTTPITFT43 if you just want to utilize the existing opening like this: https://amzn.to/3yH5J4UM3 Threaded Inserts 8qty like these: https://amzn.to/3yCttavM3 Countersunk x 6mm 4qty and…M3 Socket/Cap Screws/Countersunk x 6-8mm 4qty both are in a cheap kit like this: https://amzn.to/3yGKvEv Optional BTT SKR Pico if your going klipper too: https://amzn.to/3S81NktOptional DSI cables I used since the one with the screen is VERY short: https://amzn.to/3yK0aD0 Install the threaded inserts in the mount and the 45º frame mount. You can use a proper adapter on a soldering iron or go the simple route like I've been doing for several years now. I thread an insert on the end of a long (re: 40-50mm) M3 bolt/screw. Then using a mini butane torch heat the insert up on all sides for only a couple seconds. Install into the hole keeping it straight and thread the screw out. I usually then flip the part over and lightly press down on a flat surface to make sure it flushes up well. If you don't have a mini torch a lighter should work fine too but would take a little longer.Mount the TFT50 to the mount with the included screws that came with the screen. Install the DSI ribbon cable making sure the blue stripe faces the screen. Attach the 45º frame mount to the screen frame with 6-8mm screws of your choice. The frame bracket can accommodate cap screws, socket head cap or even countersunk. Really just depends on what you have laying around or want to use. In my images I'm using 6mm (thread length) cap head screws. Using the countersunk screws attach the snap plate to the frame mount. These are the only one ‘s really important the right screw are used. That is because that side needs to be as flush as possible with the printer. If the screws sit proud some it could prevent the snaps from catching or if they do they could become so tight it’s nearly impossible to remove without breaking. Now you have a nice fancy screen on your printer, you can continue setting up or connecting to an existing install. I do want to make a note because someone is likely to ask, this mod does not work with the stock mainboard on a Qidi or otherwise printer. You'll need to replace the board with something like a BTT SKR Pico and go with klipper or Marlin. If you do want to go the RPi & BTT SKR Pico route I've included a board adapter here as well which mounts to the stock board location and accommodates the RPi and the BTT SKR Pico.