Klipper — The Complete Guide: Open Firmware for Faster, Cleaner 3D Printing
Klipper is open-source firmware (GPL-3.0) for 3D printers that splits the work between a general-purpose computer — usually a Raspberry Pi — and the micro-controller on the printer board. The computer does the motion calculations, and the controller only drives the motors with precise timing.
Klipper
Klipper project
3D-printer firmware that moves the heavy computing to a small computer — input shaping and pressure advance for faster, cleaner prints.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Input shaping — resonance compensation that reduces ripples on the part surface at high speed.
- Pressure advance — better control of material flow during acceleration and in corners.
- Bed mesh levelling — compensation for an uneven print bed.
- Geometric calibration — delta calibration and skew correction.
- Browser control — through Mainsail, Fluidd or OctoPrint.
What to know
Installation requires basic Linux skills and editing a configuration file that describes the printer. In return, labs and workshops can get more out of existing printers — speed and quality — without replacing the printer.
Related tools
Printing starts in a slicer: PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer or UltiMaker Cura. For CNC machines there is a long-established counterpart — LinuxCNC.
PrusaSlicer
Prusa Research
Turns a 3D model into printable G-code, with full parameter control.
Get it from the vendorOrcaSlicer
OrcaSlicer Project
A slicer with built-in calibration tests — for precise printer tuning.
Get it from the vendorUltiMaker Cura
UltiMaker
The most widely used slicer — ready profiles for almost any printer.
Get it from the vendorLinuxCNC
LinuxCNC Project
An open-source CNC controller — runs a mill, lathe or plasma table from an ordinary PC.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
Klipper upgrades an existing printer with a small computer and a configuration file — free for any use, for anyone not put off by the command line.