Bondtech Firmware Updates For Creality 3D Printers

Firmware Updates For Creality

Creality3D is a chinese manufacturer that went above just low cost to reach high levels of print quality with most of their models. These barebones systems are well built and robust and can make amazingly detailed parts when properly tuned. Bondtech has available some upgrades based on our Bondtech Mini Geared (BMG) extruder, either with bowden or Direct Drive System (DDS), and we add value to many of the excellent Creality3D printers. Our hardware adds extra extrusion power and resolution to the Creality3D units, and because of that we need to spray a bit of firmware parfum on the Creality3Ds powered by Bondtech.

Updating a printer firmware may be challenging for some people, but with this article we want to make the process more accessible.

This list may be updated if there is a new firmware update from Bondtech. Older versions will stay on bottom, and the new on top.

Use only firmware that matches your hardware setup.

Instructions On How To Choose The Right Firmware:

Identify which Bondtech extruder you are using to upgrade your Creality;

You are either using BMG or DDS extruder kit to power your Creality.
Select above the according extruder kit tab.

Identify your Creality model;

To identify your Creality model check on the startup screen of the User Interface display. Identify the proper model to help you select the proper hardware setup;

Identify your hardware setup to select the right process to perform.

Firmware files and processes may be different to different Creality models. Using the wrong update process can cause severe hardware damages. Select the proper accordion tab inside each extruder tab.

Updating Creality models upgraded with BMG

The BMG uses a gear reduction to create high extrusion resolution and high torque. Because of this, the E-step value needs to be increased from 96 to 415. The E-step is the value that tells the printer how many steps to send to the motor for each mm of filament. Adding a BMG increases the extrusion resolution above 4 fold.

Your CR-10 or CR-10S model may be in one of the following states:

EPROM writing not enabled;

If you try to save settings, they get lost each time you power off the printer.

EPROM writing enabled;

If you can save settings that do not get lost each time you power off the printer.

EPROM flashed with bootloader;

The bootloader is software that enables to write firmware over USB.

Summary of Bondtech Specific Changes

E-step is now 415:

For Creality CR-10 or CR-10S EEPROM Not Writable

Updating Creality CR-10 model

Old model CR-10’s firmware cannot be flashed, so we are not supplying any firmware update for that specific model. In this case the required change of e-steps is made by gCode in the start script.

Because the change is implemented only in the start gCode the filament moves, loads and unloads done with the User Interface of the printer will require 3 times more repetitions.

In the printer profile of your slicer you will have to add the following line to the start script so it will set the new E-step value to 415:

M92 E415

This is the standard start G-code for Creality CR-10/CR-10S on your slicer:

G28 ; home all axes
G1 Z5 F3000 ; lift
G1 X5 Y10 F1500 ;move to prime
G1 Z0.2 F3000 ; get ready to prime
G92 E0 ; reset extrusion distance
G1 Y80 E10 F600 ; prime nozzle
G1 Y100 F5000 ; quick wipe

You should add the following line:

G28 ; home all axes
M92 E415; set new E-step value for Bondtech BMG Extruder

G1 Z5 F3000 ; lift
G1 X5 Y10 F1500 ;move to prime
G1 Z0.2 F3000 ; get ready to prime
G92 E0 ; reset extrusion distance
G1 Y80 E10 F600 ; prime nozzle
G1 Y100 F5000 ; quick wipe

For Creality CR-10 or CR-10S EEPROM Is Writable

Updating Creality CR-10 model

If you can write to the EEPROM of your Creality, and/or you do not wish to make any other changes, you can use a gCode file to set and store the new E-steps setting.

In a text editor write the following two gCode commands and save the file with .gcode extension :

M92 E415; set new E-step value for Bondtech BMG Extruder
M500; store setting

After finishing editing save the file to the SD card and use the printer interface to 3D print it.

For Creality CR-10 or CR-10S EEPROM With Bootloader

If you have installed a custom firmware in your printer you can change the e-step value directly in the firmware so there will be no need to put the command into the start script.

In the file configuration.h there is a section that contains the step values for the printer:

/**
* Default Axis Steps Per Unit (steps/mm)
* Override with M92
*X, Y, Z, E0 [, E1[, E2[, E3[, E4]]]] */#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT{ 80, 80, 4000, 96}

In order to set the new steps per unit from 96 to 415 make this change:

/**
* Default Axis Steps Per Unit (steps/mm)
* Override with M92
*X, Y, Z, E0 [, E1[, E2[, E3[, E4]]]] */#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT{ 80, 80, 4000, 415}

After customizing your firmware with the required change, you can just flash it into the printer.

For Creality3D CR-10S Pro

In order to properly setup the new extruder some small adjustments to the firmware are necessary. The extruder is using a 3:1 gearing ratio, therefore the E-step must be adjusted to properly extrude the right amount of filament. Z-Max is lowered to avoid the X-Axis crashing into the printer. The new total height of the print area is 385 mm.

The new firmware should be flashed using Creality Slicer.

The firmware is based on Crealitys stock firmware to CR10s – Pro, V1.60.3.

Below is a list of Bondtech specific changes.

DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT { 80.00, 80.00, 400.00, 415.00 }
Z_MAX_POS 385

Click the image here on the left to download our Bondtech version of the v1.60.3 firmware from Creality

Tor perform this upgrade we are recommending to use Creality Slicer 1.2.2, the version Creality is sending with the printer. Newer versions or other programs that handle hex files can be used in similar way. You can download the firmware by clicking the link above, but we suggest you follow the Guide we provide here below.

< click to visit our Creality CR-10S Pro Firmware setup guide
and check in the guide where to download the firmware from.

Updating Creality printers upgraded with DDS

To properly use the Bondtech Direct Drive on a Creality users need to update the firmware with our version. There are several reasons why we recommend our version, and the main one is the use of E3D’s V6 Hot-End. This Hot-End is using a different kind of thermistor from the original one and will not show the right temperature on your display otherwise.

Another reason why we highly recommend you to change to Marlin 1.1.9 is because it enables Thermal Runaway Protection.

Summary of Bondtech Specific Changes

E-Step value set to 415.
Acceleration set to 500.
Load/Unload Filament tweaks.
Printer name set to “Bondtech CR-10s”.

Updating Creality CR-10S / CR-10S4, and CR-10S5 models

Bondtech has revised versions of Marlin firmware to update the Creality 3D CR-10Sprinter models. This firmware collection includes variations for S4 and S5 models, and also variations to support machines with or without BLtouch. See links to guides below.

For Creality CR-10S

< click this image to download the firmware archive for Creality CR-10S
No BLtouch.