Hey Mike, just an FYI… These instructions WILL also work on the i-mate/S with [basically] the same procedure. The Wi-Fi board has to be removed to plug in the 3 TTL connectors, but the OctoPrint gives you wireless connectivity, so it’s no longer needed anyway. Thanks for this and all your great videos!
Hi Mike, Thanks for the instructions. I was able to connect my QIDI MAX 2 to my raspberry PI 3. I did contact QIDI and was sent instructions on how to connect the raspberry to my MAX 2. They did recommend a different USB to TTL device. I bought the one you recommended in your video. It works perfectly, nothing to download or install. Opened Octoprint and was able to monitor and change temperatures, sent everything to "HOME". Great INstructions, Thanks again
I’m glad our instructions were helpful for you. I made the mistake of buying a different “cheaper” USB to TTL adapter and it did not work so I am glad you didn’t have to make that mistake like we did.
Hi Mike, Thanks for the instructions. I did not understand one thing, on my USB cable the green color corresponds to TDX and the white to RDX. Should I insert my green TDX cable on the TDX pin of the printer and the white RDX cable on the RDX pin of the printer, or should I insert them reversed ? Thank you and sorry in my English Roberto from Italy
This definitely makes life a littles easier. That only downfall is the time it takes to cancel a print. Nothing crazy, but takes a few seconds longer than using the USB to print.
Great video! Would you mind sharing the Octoprint settings for the X-Max :) I just got the printer today and will be installing the pi and cam tomorrow.
Once you install it you’ll need to download the “CBD_fix” plugin from within OctoPi. Once it is installed you should be good. If you’ve got specific setting questions, message Eitri3D on Facebook and I’ll be able to assist further.
After I did the upgrade with the knobs and replaced springs with the items you suggested but without hardly cranking down on them, the z doesn’t go go enough to even come close to where it needs to be to align the bed
@@Eitri3D Did the fast level and raised the Z and that did it, thanks. love your videos, Love my Qidi, I did the one with the USB adapter plugged onto the mother board but cant seem to get it to connect to my pc.
It looks like the vendor placed a different product on the Amazon link for the cable. Please provide an updated link to purchase the cable and adapter. Qidi said a cable and a TTL adapter is needed to connect the x-max to a raspberry PI. Thank you!
Not by using this same connector. I’m sure if you ran TTL to TTL you maybe able to, but I haven’t tested this out so I would not know which connectors to use.
I wish i had this resource when i added octoprint, great vid very clear. You mentioned it blacks out your screen, I power up the pi then the xmax, that way it allows me to use the screen and send prints/commands. been doing that for for months, why would it be a problem?
So I have found that if I boot my Pi first, then my X-Max, the Pi has a problem with recognizing and connecting to my X-Max. There is a high probability that I may have something on the software side not programmed incorrectly and that is why. Now the blacking out the X-Max screen only happened when I used the generic USB adapter. Something inside the those adapters has a chip that does not communicate with either the Pi or the X-Max, from my personal experience. Maybe I misstated something in the video that mixed what I was saying with what I meant. Thank you for the comment. It’s great to know that these videos are on the right track for helping others.
@@Eitri3D I had a similar problem a few times after setting it up but only when i tried octopi.local in the browser, i then got the ip for the pi from my router and use that instead and it connects no problem now via all my devices.
I’m going to have to double back and check it a few times now that everything is finally setup in its final spot. I am also trying to remember how I connected to it the first couple of times. Thank you for explaining that because my experience might have been due to lack of experience.
OK, got it connected to my X-Plus. I was able to print some small stuff but kept getting gcode errors. I contacted them to get some updated firmware and now the print head just sits in the corner complaining. Did you install any Octoprint plugs to make it work? If so which one?
Do you know if you can just plug in the USB cable into the front of the printer and connect the gpio plugs to the pi instead? And also where did you place your pi, inside on the bottom or ran it outside of the printer?
Unfortunately it will not work using the USB on the front that way. I ran my Cable though a gap so my PI is outside the printer. This way if I needed to diagnose or fix anything, I did not have to take the printer apart.
So I set it all up and it's awesome. Thank you. But one more question, whenever it prints it no longer shows the status on the xmaxs screen itself, the screen still works just no info on the print, I have to either check on cura or the app itself. Is this right? Thanks again.
So far that is correct. I have not looked for a plug-in for the screen to work in a while. I personally log into the PI on my phone and monitor it that way.
after connecting the raspberry pi to my xmax whenever i press the home button the print head goes all the way to the top right hand corner but doeasnt stop when it reaches the end, intead it does a scary sound like its hitting the side continuously really fast. is this what gets fixed by doing the cbd fix firmware? if so when i try to flash it from firmware updater and i enter the url I'm not sure what flash method am supposed to use?
So when you add this url github.com/OctoPrint/OctoPrint-FixCBDFirmware/archive/master.zip into your plugin manager url field and hit install a pop up box should appear and run through the installation. Is that not happening?
@@Eitri3D i saw online that i should do it with a plugin called firmware updater but i did also try to add it through the plugin manager. imgur.com/eY9E3ea imgur.com/9HFrBTk even after adding that plugin i still keep having the print head bump into the top right corner and it happens when i press home on both octoprint and through the XMAX touch display. i even tried making my build plate 250x250x300 and the problem still occurred.
Do me a favor and message Eitri3D on Facebook. Once I get back to my printer, I’ll be able to pull up my settings and we can walk through it together and we will get you printing again.
@@Eitri3D Thanks. One last question. I got received a firmware broken notice once I update the Pi. Apparently this is a known issue with QIDI tech. I found the zip file but how do I manually update (since I don't want GitHub)? Love your videos. Already waiting on supplies for the hotend upgrade.
Go to the plug-in manager inside of octoprint and search CBD Fix. Click on it and run it. It should run and fix the issue right there. It will pull it from GitHub, but that’s the repository. I’m glad our videos are helping and your enjoying them.
I am so sorry I have not released that video yet. I have finally found a mount that would work, but I had to end up modifying to fit the way I was wanting. I will have that video uploaded as soon as possible (hopefully within the next couple of days maybe sooner). Thank you for your comment by reminding me and keeping me honest. I’ll ensure to add the link to my remixed design also.
@@manisteve862 No problem, I’m glad we are able to provide others with some videos that help. As for the camera mount. I have the video ready to go, but I do not have access to my camera mount file, as I’m away for the holidays. As soon as I return, I promise to publish the video with links to the actual file. Sorry for the delay with this. Thank you for the comment, we love the feedback from our audience. It’s great to that we are helping and hopefully entertaining people. Cheers!
Not many at all and that is why I started doing this. Make sure you subscribe if you haven’t yet because the upgrade I’m working on now is probably the one that makes me the most excited. I hope our videos have been or will be useful to you. Have a great day, and again, thank you.
Is there a way to wire the power to the PI from the PSU? Seems to me, you could hide the PI right in there and have the PI boot when the printer boots. I am wondering if I just got a molex to female USB adapter on Amazon, cut off the molex end and wire the two wires right where the power is connecting the motherboard. This wouldn't work for PI4 since it is USBC, but should work for PI 3B
To be perfectly honest with you, I haven’t tried that and haven’t heard of anyone hard wiring it with these printers. I don’t know the exact watts or amperage on the board or Pi to even try it. I know people do hide it under the printer, but for me, I prefer it on the outside so I can troubleshoot it without having to take the bottom off the printer just to access the Pi. My Pi came with a power button so I can turn it off at will. If this is something you end up trying, I’d love to hear the outcome.
Honestly, it’s not for everyone. If you want to control your X-Max wirelessly and hook up a camera, then this is an option for you. I’m just showing how to do it, not trying to convince anyone to do it. Hope that makes sense.
I electronic control systems in Washington state and repairing someone else’s QiDi X-Max 3-D printer and noted there is a tiny Wi-Fi board plugged onto the main controller board. Doesn’t that Wi-Fi allow you to communicate with your desktop PC? Anyways, I enjoyed watching you and your daughter perform Maintenance.
I don’t have an I-mate. I cannot confidently say yes or no. I have not seen the motherboard, but if it is laid out like the X-Max, then I do not see why it wouldn’t work.
@@Eitri3D OK, thanks for the quick reply. I’ll investigate this and hopefully be up & running Octoprint soon. I really miss a USB (tethered) connection…
The other end of that cable is a USB so it plugs into the USB port on the Pi. Now I didn’t have success with it plugged into the USB3.0 port but that could have been an error or something else on my end. Once the USB is plugged in you can either connect via SSH or via the IP address.
The microchip inside the actual USB. The generic cords I talked about in the video are running a Prolific TL2303 chip which I have not heard of anyone being able to successfully connect the Qidi to the Raspberry Pi. The Adafruit cable that is linked in the description is using a SiLabs CP2012 chipset. During my research, and trial and error, this has been the only successful USB to TTL cable mentioned, that I personally have come across. As for issues, you have to download a plugin which Octoprint recognized and recommend as soon as I powered everything on. “Fix CBD” is the name of the patch. Other than that don’t update or install anything on your Pi if it is connected to the XMax even if you are printing the factory way because it locks up the print 48 hours into a 60 hour print. Leaned that the hard way. Other than that, I have been super pleased with it so far.
@@Eitri3D I hooked everything up per your video and installed CBD Fix. I also installed a fresh IMG of Octoprint. It's not detecting my printer. Is there anything else I should try? What Baud Rate are you using?
@@Eitri3D this stuff is pretty cool, I have a 3D printed go-pro mount for my helmet and would like to be able to do it myself for a new helmet or whatever else i would need for my bike.
I have printed and designed about 5 different GoPro mounts. Was making a video on mounting my GoPro, but then I failed miserably by not accounting for my printers frame that was in the path of my camera. 4 of my 5 designs have failed. Trial and error. Let me know and I can custom design you a mount.
@@Eitri3D Badass! I have a mount now that i bought online but yeah it was 3D printed they only did it for 2 different helmets when i buy a new helmet i'll need a new mount.
Hey Mike, just an FYI… These instructions WILL also work on the i-mate/S with [basically] the same procedure. The Wi-Fi board has to be removed to plug in the 3 TTL connectors, but the OctoPrint gives you wireless connectivity, so it’s no longer needed anyway. Thanks for this and all your great videos!
No problem. Thank you for the updated information.
Hi Mike, Thanks for the instructions. I was able to connect my QIDI MAX 2 to my raspberry PI 3. I did contact QIDI and was sent instructions on how to connect the raspberry to my MAX 2. They did recommend a different USB to TTL device. I bought the one you recommended in your video. It works perfectly, nothing to download or install. Opened Octoprint and was able to monitor and change temperatures, sent everything to "HOME". Great INstructions, Thanks again
I’m glad our instructions were helpful for you. I made the mistake of buying a different “cheaper” USB to TTL adapter and it did not work so I am glad you didn’t have to make that mistake like we did.
Nice Video, Greatly appreciate your time and showing the process of installing this!
No problem, glad this could be of use to you and the 3D Printing community.
Hi Mike, Thanks for the instructions. I did not understand one thing, on my USB cable the green color corresponds to TDX and the white to RDX. Should I insert my green TDX cable on the TDX pin of the printer and the white RDX cable on the RDX pin of the printer, or should I insert them reversed ?
Thank you and sorry in my English
Roberto from Italy
Thanks, I'm going to be doing this for sure.
This definitely makes life a littles easier. That only downfall is the time it takes to cancel a print. Nothing crazy, but takes a few seconds longer than using the USB to print.
Great video! Would you mind sharing the Octoprint settings for the X-Max :) I just got the printer today and will be installing the pi and cam tomorrow.
Once you install it you’ll need to download the “CBD_fix” plugin from within OctoPi. Once it is installed you should be good. If you’ve got specific setting questions, message Eitri3D on Facebook and I’ll be able to assist further.
@@Eitri3D thanks much :D
No problem, let us know if you into any issues.
After I did the upgrade with the knobs and replaced springs with the items you suggested but without hardly cranking down on them, the z doesn’t go go enough to even come close to where it needs to be to align the bed
Two suggestions for you. Fast level and raise the z up until it gets close to the nozzle. If that doesn’t work, what is your z-offset set to?
@@Eitri3D Did the fast level and raised the Z and that did it, thanks. love your videos, Love my Qidi, I did the one with the USB adapter plugged onto the mother board but cant seem to get it to connect to my pc.
It looks like the vendor placed a different product on the Amazon link for the cable. Please provide an updated link to purchase the cable and adapter. Qidi said a cable and a TTL adapter is needed to connect the x-max to a raspberry PI. Thank you!
Updated! Thank you for the heads up with the link.
Question 2. Is possible get power for raspberry pi from printer psu?
Not by using this same connector. I’m sure if you ran TTL to TTL you maybe able to, but I haven’t tested this out so I would not know which connectors to use.
I wish i had this resource when i added octoprint, great vid very clear. You mentioned it blacks out your screen, I power up the pi then the xmax, that way it allows me to use the screen and send prints/commands. been doing that for for months, why would it be a problem?
So I have found that if I boot my Pi first, then my X-Max, the Pi has a problem with recognizing and connecting to my X-Max. There is a high probability that I may have something on the software side not programmed incorrectly and that is why. Now the blacking out the X-Max screen only happened when I used the generic USB adapter. Something inside the those adapters has a chip that does not communicate with either the Pi or the X-Max, from my personal experience. Maybe I misstated something in the video that mixed what I was saying with what I meant. Thank you for the comment. It’s great to know that these videos are on the right track for helping others.
@@Eitri3D I had a similar problem a few times after setting it up but only when i tried octopi.local in the browser, i then got the ip for the pi from my router and use that instead and it connects no problem now via all my devices.
I’m going to have to double back and check it a few times now that everything is finally setup in its final spot. I am also trying to remember how I connected to it the first couple of times. Thank you for explaining that because my experience might have been due to lack of experience.
OK, got it connected to my X-Plus. I was able to print some small stuff but kept getting gcode errors. I contacted them to get some updated firmware and now the print head just sits in the corner complaining. Did you install any Octoprint plugs to make it work? If so which one?
CBD_fix is the main plugin that i installed.
Is there any reason you didn't simply use the built in UART on the Raspberry pi GPIO pins instead of buying a USB uart?
For ease of access. This way I can move, adjust, or disconnect using the USB. Just personal preference honestly.
so is this like a normal octoprint where you can control all the settings? or is this just for a camera?
This video is for hooking the Pi up to the Qidi and the other video is the camera.
Can is possible add auto bed levelling sensor?
The Qidi motherboard isn’t equipped for one. I’m sure with heavy modifications you could, but from factory it can not.
Do you know if you can just plug in the USB cable into the front of the printer and connect the gpio plugs to the pi instead? And also where did you place your pi, inside on the bottom or ran it outside of the printer?
Unfortunately it will not work using the USB on the front that way. I ran my Cable though a gap so my PI is outside the printer. This way if I needed to diagnose or fix anything, I did not have to take the printer apart.
So I set it all up and it's awesome. Thank you. But one more question, whenever it prints it no longer shows the status on the xmaxs screen itself, the screen still works just no info on the print, I have to either check on cura or the app itself. Is this right? Thanks again.
So far that is correct. I have not looked for a plug-in for the screen to work in a while. I personally log into the PI on my phone and monitor it that way.
after connecting the raspberry pi to my xmax whenever i press the home button the print head goes all the way to the top right hand corner but doeasnt stop when it reaches the end, intead it does a scary sound like its hitting the side continuously really fast. is this what gets fixed by doing the cbd fix firmware? if so when i try to flash it from firmware updater and i enter the url I'm not sure what flash method am supposed to use?
So when you add this url github.com/OctoPrint/OctoPrint-FixCBDFirmware/archive/master.zip into your plugin manager url field and hit install a pop up box should appear and run through the installation. Is that not happening?
@@Eitri3D i saw online that i should do it with a plugin called firmware updater but i did also try to add it through the plugin manager.
imgur.com/eY9E3ea
imgur.com/9HFrBTk
even after adding that plugin i still keep having the print head bump into the top right corner and it happens when i press home on both octoprint and through the XMAX touch display. i even tried making my build plate 250x250x300 and the problem still occurred.
Do me a favor and message Eitri3D on Facebook. Once I get back to my printer, I’ll be able to pull up my settings and we can walk through it together and we will get you printing again.
Great video. How did you route the USB cable out from the bottom of the xmax?
I ran it between the bottom plate and the edge of the machine. There is a gap around it big enough to allow it to fit.
@@Eitri3D Thanks. One last question. I got received a firmware broken notice once I update the Pi. Apparently this is a known issue with QIDI tech. I found the zip file but how do I manually update (since I don't want GitHub)? Love your videos. Already waiting on supplies for the hotend upgrade.
Are you talking about updating the CBD file in the Octoprint?
Yes, that’s correct. The CBD issue
Go to the plug-in manager inside of octoprint and search CBD Fix. Click on it and run it. It should run and fix the issue right there. It will pull it from GitHub, but that’s the repository. I’m glad our videos are helping and your enjoying them.
How’s the webcam going?
I am so sorry I have not released that video yet. I have finally found a mount that would work, but I had to end up modifying to fit the way I was wanting. I will have that video uploaded as soon as possible (hopefully within the next couple of days maybe sooner). Thank you for your comment by reminding me and keeping me honest. I’ll ensure to add the link to my remixed design also.
Hi guys, I’m interested as well about the camera mount. Thanks for doing these vids
@@manisteve862 No problem, I’m glad we are able to provide others with some videos that help. As for the camera mount. I have the video ready to go, but I do not have access to my camera mount file, as I’m away for the holidays. As soon as I return, I promise to publish the video with links to the actual file. Sorry for the delay with this. Thank you for the comment, we love the feedback from our audience. It’s great to that we are helping and hopefully entertaining people. Cheers!
Webcam video got published today, sorry it took so long. Cheers!
@@Eitri3D we are waiting 😍
Thanks not a lot of Xmax vids on hear
Not many at all and that is why I started doing this. Make sure you subscribe if you haven’t yet because the upgrade I’m working on now is probably the one that makes me the most excited. I hope our videos have been or will be useful to you. Have a great day, and again, thank you.
Is there a way to wire the power to the PI from the PSU? Seems to me, you could hide the PI right in there and have the PI boot when the printer boots. I am wondering if I just got a molex to female USB adapter on Amazon, cut off the molex end and wire the two wires right where the power is connecting the motherboard. This wouldn't work for PI4 since it is USBC, but should work for PI 3B
Also, I have the X-Plus, I assume the process is roughly the same?
To be perfectly honest with you, I haven’t tried that and haven’t heard of anyone hard wiring it with these printers. I don’t know the exact watts or amperage on the board or Pi to even try it. I know people do hide it under the printer, but for me, I prefer it on the outside so I can troubleshoot it without having to take the bottom off the printer just to access the Pi. My Pi came with a power button so I can turn it off at will. If this is something you end up trying, I’d love to hear the outcome.
WHY? As a first time viewer, I have no reason to do this unless you provied a reason or link to the benifits of addining a RasberryPi.
Honestly, it’s not for everyone. If you want to control your X-Max wirelessly and hook up a camera, then this is an option for you. I’m just showing how to do it, not trying to convince anyone to do it. Hope that makes sense.
I electronic control systems in Washington state and repairing someone else’s QiDi X-Max 3-D printer and noted there is a tiny Wi-Fi board plugged onto the main controller board. Doesn’t that Wi-Fi allow you to communicate with your desktop PC?
Anyways, I enjoyed watching you and your daughter perform Maintenance.
It does but I had a lot of issues at first with it and I wanted to control a camera to that is why. Thank you for your comments.
Will these instructions also apply to the i-mate S?
I don’t have an I-mate. I cannot confidently say yes or no. I have not seen the motherboard, but if it is laid out like the X-Max, then I do not see why it wouldn’t work.
@@Eitri3D OK, thanks for the quick reply. I’ll investigate this and hopefully be up & running Octoprint soon. I really miss a USB (tethered) connection…
It would make everyone’s life a lot easier to have that USB option.
How did you connect to the pi?
The other end of that cable is a USB so it plugs into the USB port on the Pi. Now I didn’t have success with it plugged into the USB3.0 port but that could have been an error or something else on my end. Once the USB is plugged in you can either connect via SSH or via the IP address.
The microchip inside the actual USB. The generic cords I talked about in the video are running a Prolific TL2303 chip which I have not heard of anyone being able to successfully connect the Qidi to the Raspberry Pi. The Adafruit cable that is linked in the description is using a SiLabs CP2012 chipset. During my research, and trial and error, this has been the only successful USB to TTL cable mentioned, that I personally have come across. As for issues, you have to download a plugin which Octoprint recognized and recommend as soon as I powered everything on. “Fix CBD” is the name of the patch. Other than that don’t update or install anything on your Pi if it is connected to the XMax even if you are printing the factory way because it locks up the print 48 hours into a 60 hour print. Leaned that the hard way. Other than that, I have been super pleased with it so far.
@@Eitri3D I hooked everything up per your video and installed CBD Fix. I also installed a fresh IMG of Octoprint. It's not detecting my printer. Is there anything else I should try? What Baud Rate are you using?
Had the RX and TX switched. It's working now. :)
Awesome, glad you were able to get it up and running. I hope the video was of some use and assisted.
35T! lol
I mean kind of, but probably better. LOL
@@Eitri3D this stuff is pretty cool, I have a 3D printed go-pro mount for my helmet and would like to be able to do it myself for a new helmet or whatever else i would need for my bike.
I have printed and designed about 5 different GoPro mounts. Was making a video on mounting my GoPro, but then I failed miserably by not accounting for my printers frame that was in the path of my camera. 4 of my 5 designs have failed. Trial and error. Let me know and I can custom design you a mount.
@@Eitri3D Badass! I have a mount now that i bought online but yeah it was 3D printed they only did it for 2 different helmets when i buy a new helmet i'll need a new mount.