1. Product Overview
The BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board is a high-performance 32-bit motherboard designed for 3D printers, offering extensive features and strong DIY support. It is compatible with TFT series screens and supports popular firmware like Klipper and Marlin, enabling Raspberry-Pi online printing.
Key features include:
- Main Control Chip: Utilizes a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 series STM32F446ZET6 main control chip with a core frequency of 180MHz.
- Strong DIY Support: Supports up to 8 stepper drivers with 9 stepper driver outputs in total.
- Flexible Fan Control: Up to 6 PWM fans and 2 always-on fans with individual voltage rail selection (Vin, 12V, or 5V).
- Motherboard Expansion: Supports BLTouch, locked-rotor detection, shutdown after printing, resume printing after power failure, CAN bus, U disk function, IIC expansion. Reserved WIFI interface, PT100 thermistor interface (optional), and dual Z-axis printer support.
- TMC2209 Driver Features: Ultra-quiet operation, large heat dissipation pad, and support for STEP/DIR and UART modes.
Figure 1.1: BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board with included TMC2209 drivers and connection cables.
Figure 1.2: Overview of the BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board highlighting its key features like 32-bit main control, 180MHz frequency, Klipper/Marlin support, 6 CNC fans, 8 stepper motor interfaces, Type-C interface for online printing, and CAN Bus support.
2. Setup & Installation
2.1 Main Control Chip
The Octopus V1.1 board is powered by a high-performance 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 series STM32F446ZET6 main control chip, operating at 180MHz. This powerful chip ensures stable and efficient operation for your 3D printer.
Figure 2.1: Close-up view of the STM32F446ZET6 main control chip on the Octopus V1.1 board.
2.2 Stepper Driver Installation and Configuration
The motherboard supports up to 8 stepper drivers with 9 total outputs. Ensure proper installation and configuration of your stepper drivers.
Figure 2.2: Illustration of the 8 stepper driver slots and jumper configurations for Normal STEP/DIR, UART, and SPI modes. Note that for A4988 or DRV8825 drivers in Normal STEP/DIR mode, RST and SLP pins must be connected with a jumper.
Important Note for TMC2209 Drivers: TMC Motor drivers can be used in SPI or UART mode by simply adjusting the onboard jumpers beneath each motor driver. Additionally, you can connect or disconnect the TMC DIAG pin using an onboard jumper, allowing you to use hard endstops or sensorless homing without cutting any pins.
2.3 Fan Voltage Selection
The Octopus V1.1 board allows individual selection of the voltage rail for each of its 6 PWM fans and 2 always-on fans. You can choose between Vin, 12V, or 5V to power your fans.
Figure 2.3: Jumper settings for selecting fan voltage (5V, 12V, Vin). Ensure correct jumper placement to avoid damage.
Caution: If you short the jumpers in any way other than the shown connections, you will likely cause damage to the motherboard.
2.4 Expansion Interfaces
The board provides extensive interfaces for DIY projects and advanced functionalities:
- USB-C interface for online printing.
- CAN Bus support for future expansion.
- Thermistor input protection.
- 4 Hotend heaters.
- 6 Endstop switches.
- 2 Fil-DET (filament detection) interfaces.
- Reserved WIFI interface and PT100 thermistor interface (optional).
Figure 2.4: Various expansion interfaces on the Octopus V1.1 board, including USB-C, CAN Bus, thermistor inputs, hotend heater connections, endstop switches, and filament detection ports.
3. Operation
3.1 Stepper Driver Working Modes (TMC2209)
The TMC2209 stepper drivers support two primary working modes: STEP/DIR and UART.
3.1.1 STEP/DIR Mode
In STEP/DIR mode, the microstep resolution is configured via MS1 and MS2 pins. Refer to the table below for microstep settings.
Figure 3.1: Pinout diagram for TMC2209 V1.3 in STEP/DIR mode and a table detailing microstep resolution based on MS1/MS2 configuration.
3.1.2 UART Mode
For UART mode, the 5th pin of the TMC2209 driver is used as the UART pin. If the driver is factory default, the resistance needs to be removed and welded to the specified pads to enable UART communication.
Figure 3.2: Diagrams illustrating factory default and UART mode configurations for the TMC2209 driver, showing the required modification for UART functionality.
3.2 Firmware Compatibility
The BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board supports running both Klipper and Marlin firmware, providing flexibility for various 3D printing setups and preferences.
Figure 3.3: Visual representation of the Octopus V1.1 board's compatibility with Klipper and Marlin firmware, as well as Raspberry Pi and Octoprint for online printing.
4. Maintenance
4.1 Stepper Driver Handling
Figure 4.1: TMC2209 V1.3 driver modules. Important notes regarding installation and heat dissipation are provided below.
- Driver Insertion: When inserting the driver into the motherboard, always pay attention to the direction of the drive. It cannot be inserted in reverse, as this will burn the driver.
- Heat Dissipation: Ensure good heat dissipation (using a heat sink and fan) before operating the driver. This prevents the driver from malfunctioning due to overheating. The TMC2209 module has a large area heat dissipation pad to help reduce temperature during operation.
Figure 4.2: Illustration of a stepper driver with a heat sink, demonstrating the importance of proper heat dissipation for optimal performance and longevity.
5. Troubleshooting
5.1 Preventing Lost Steps and Jittering
The TMC2209 drivers utilize SpreadCycle technology, which ensures smoother motor control and effectively avoids issues such as running deviation, losing steps, and faults caused by chip overload.
Figure 5.1: Visual comparison of 3D printed objects, demonstrating the difference between prints with and without jittering, highlighting the smooth output achieved with SpreadCycle technology.
5.2 General Precautions
- Always ensure correct polarity and connection of all components before powering on the board.
- Avoid shorting any pins or jumpers incorrectly, as this can lead to permanent damage to the motherboard.
- If experiencing unexpected behavior, first check all wiring and jumper settings against the manual's diagrams.
- Ensure your firmware is correctly configured for the Octopus V1.1 board and your specific setup.
6. Technical Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main Control Chip | STM32F446ZET6 (ARM Cortex-M4 series, 32-bit) |
| Core Frequency | 180MHz |
| Stepper Driver Support | Up to 8 drivers, 9 outputs total |
| Fan Outputs | 6 PWM fans, 2 always-on fans (selectable Vin, 12V, 5V) |
| Expansion Ports | BLTouch, locked-rotor detection, power failure resume, CAN bus, U disk, IIC, WIFI (reserved), PT100 (optional), dual Z-axis |
| Online Printing | USB-C interface, Raspberry-Pi compatible |
| Operating Temperature | 60 Degrees Celsius |
| Voltage | 24 Volts (DC) |
| Material | PCB |
| Item Weight | 12.6 ounces |
| Package Dimensions | 8.19 x 4.61 x 3.03 inches |
| Model Number | KINGPRINTER-UUU001949 |
| Included Components | BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 + 8PCS TMC2209 V1.3 Control Board Kit |
Figure 6.1: Detailed comparison of the Octopus (BQ) board's features against other common motherboards, highlighting its superior capabilities.
7. Support & Warranty
For technical support, firmware updates, or further inquiries regarding your BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1 Control Board, please visit the official BIGTREETECH website or contact their customer service.
While specific warranty details are not provided in this manual, BIGTREETECH typically offers support for their products. Please refer to the product packaging or the official BIGTREETECH website for the most up-to-date warranty information.
You can find more information and resources at the BIGTREETECH Store on Amazon.
