docs: Updates to Installation.md document

Recommend users obtain an example config file prior to starting the
installation.

Signed-off-by: Kevin O'Connor <kevin@koconnor.net>
This commit is contained in:
Kevin O'Connor 2022-05-10 09:36:03 -04:00
parent defce11235
commit 95676343db
1 changed files with 79 additions and 44 deletions

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@ -6,10 +6,34 @@ Raspberry Pi 2, 3, or 4 computer be used as the host machine (see the
[FAQ](FAQ.md#can-i-run-klipper-on-something-other-than-a-raspberry-pi-3)
for other machines).
Klipper currently supports a number of Atmel ATmega based
micro-controllers,
[ARM based micro-controllers](Features.md#step-benchmarks), and
[Beaglebone PRU](Beaglebone.md) based printers.
## Obtain a Klipper Configuration File
Most Klipper settings are determined by a "printer configuration file"
that will be stored on the Raspberry Pi. An appropriate configuration
file can often be found by looking in the Klipper
[config directory](../config/) for a file starting with a "printer-"
prefix that corresponds to the target printer. The Klipper
configuration file contains technical information about the printer
that will be needed during the installation.
If there isn't an appropriate printer configuration file in the
Klipper config directory then try searching the printer manufacturer's
website to see if they have an appropriate Klipper configuration file.
If no configuration file for the printer can be found, but the type of
printer control board is known, then look for an appropriate
[config file](../config/) starting with a "generic-" prefix. These
example printer board files should allow one to successfully complete
the initial installation, but will require some customization to
obtain full printer functionality.
It is also possible to define a new printer configuration from
scratch. However, this requires significant technical knowledge about
the printer and its electronics. It is recommended that most users
start with an appropriate configuration file. If creating a new custom
printer configuration file, then start with the closest example
[config file](../config/) and use the Klipper
[config reference](Config_Reference.md) for further information.
## Prepping an OS image
@ -49,16 +73,27 @@ cd ~/klipper/
make menuconfig
```
Select the appropriate micro-controller and review any other options
provided. Once configured, run:
The comments at the top of the
[printer configuration file](#obtain-a-klipper-configuration-file)
should describe the settings that need to be set during "make
menuconfig". Open the file in a web browser or text editor and look
for these instructions near the top of the file. Once the appropriate
"menuconfig" settings have been configured, press "Q" to exit, and
then "Y" to save. Then run:
```
make
```
It is necessary to determine the serial port connected to the
micro-controller. For micro-controllers that connect via USB, run the
following:
If the comments at the top of the
[printer configuration file](#obtain-a-klipper-configuration-file)
describe custom steps for "flashing" the final image to the printer
control board then follow those steps and then proceed to
[configuring OctoPrint](#configuring-octoprint-to-use-klipper).
Otherwise, the following steps are often used to "flash" the printer
control board. First, it is necessary to determine the serial port
connected to the micro-controller. Run the following:
```
ls /dev/serial/by-id/*
@ -122,36 +157,43 @@ Klipper. Proceed to the next section.
## Configuring Klipper
The Klipper configuration is stored in a text file on the Raspberry
Pi. Take a look at the example config files in the
[config directory](../config/). The
[Config Reference](Config_Reference.md) contains documentation on
config parameters.
The next step is to copy the
[printer configuration file](#obtain-a-klipper-configuration-file) to
the Raspberry Pi.
Arguably the easiest way to update the Klipper configuration file is
to use a desktop editor that supports editing files over the "scp"
and/or "sftp" protocols. There are freely available tools that support
this (eg, Notepad++, WinSCP, and Cyberduck). Use one of the example
config files as a starting point and save it as a file named
"printer.cfg" in the home directory of the pi user (ie,
/home/pi/printer.cfg).
Arguably the easiest way to set the Klipper configuration file is to
use a desktop editor that supports editing files over the "scp" and/or
"sftp" protocols. There are freely available tools that support this
(eg, Notepad++, WinSCP, and Cyberduck). Load the printer config file
in the editor and then save it as a file named "printer.cfg" in the
home directory of the pi user (ie, /home/pi/printer.cfg).
Alternatively, one can also copy and edit the file directly on the
Raspberry Pi via ssh - for example:
Raspberry Pi via ssh. That may look something like the following (be
sure to update the command to use the appropriate printer config
filename):
```
cp ~/klipper/config/example-cartesian.cfg ~/printer.cfg
nano ~/printer.cfg
```
Make sure to review and update each setting that is appropriate for
the hardware.
It's common for each printer to have its own unique name for the
micro-controller. The name may change after flashing Klipper, so rerun
the `ls /dev/serial/by-id/*` command and then update the config file
with the unique name. For example, update the `[mcu]` section to look
something similar to:
these steps again even if they were already done when flashing. Run:
```
ls /dev/serial/by-id/*
```
It should report something similar to the following:
```
/dev/serial/by-id/usb-1a86_USB2.0-Serial-if00-port0
```
Then update the config file with the unique name. For example, update
the `[mcu]` section to look something similar to:
```
[mcu]
@ -162,26 +204,19 @@ After creating and editing the file it will be necessary to issue a
"restart" command in the OctoPrint web terminal to load the config. A
"status" command will report the printer is ready if the Klipper
config file is successfully read and the micro-controller is
successfully found and configured. It is not unusual to have
configuration errors during the initial setup - update the printer
config file and issue "restart" until "status" reports the printer is
ready.
successfully found and configured.
When customizing the printer config file, it is not uncommon for
Klipper to report a configuration error. If an error occurs, make any
necessary corrections to the printer config file and issue "restart"
until "status" reports the printer is ready.
Klipper reports error messages via the OctoPrint terminal tab. The
"status" command can be used to re-report error messages. The default
Klipper startup script also places a log in **/tmp/klippy.log** which
provides more detailed information.
In addition to common g-code commands, Klipper supports a few extended
commands - "status" and "restart" are examples of these commands. Use
the "help" command to get a list of other extended commands.
After Klipper reports that the printer is ready go on to the
After Klipper reports that the printer is ready, proceed to the
[config check document](Config_checks.md) to perform some basic checks
on the pin definitions in the config file.
## Contacting the developers
Be sure to see the [FAQ](FAQ.md) for answers to some common questions.
See the [contact page](Contact.md) to report a bug or to contact the
developers.
on the definitions in the config file. See the main
[documentation reference](Overview.md) for other information.