Anet A8 Upgrading with MKS TinyBee and Marlin Firmware

Upgrading your Anet A8 3D printer with an MKS TinyBee board and Marlin firmware is a powerful upgrade, especially if you're moving to 32-bit and wireless (ESP32-based) capabilities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:

🛠️ What You'll Need

• MKS TinyBee board (ESP32-based 3D printer controller)
• Marlin firmware (2.1.x or newer, with ESP32 support)
• A PC with VSCode and PlatformIO installed
• Wiring diagram for your 3D printer's components (endstops, stepper motors, hotend, etc.)

✅ Step 1: Set Up Development Environment

1. Install VSCode
   • Download VSCode
2. Install PlatformIO extension in VSCode:
   • Open Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X), search for PlatformIO IDE, and install it.
3. Clone Marlin Firmware with ESP32 Support
   • The official Marlin repo doesn’t support ESP32 natively. Use the ESP32-enabled fork:

git clone https://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-TinyBee-Marlin.git

🔧 Step 2: Configure Marlin for TinyBee

1. 1. Open the cloned folder in VSCode.
   2. Navigate to:
      • Marlin/Configuration.h
      • Marlin/Configuration_adv.h
   3. Edit Configuration.h
      • Set your printer's mechanics, bed size, and thermistors.
      • Example for an Ender 3-style printer:
        • #define MOTHERBOARD BOARD_MKS_TINYBEE
#define X_BED_SIZE 220
#define Y_BED_SIZE 220
#define Z_MAX_POS 250
#define TEMP_SENSOR_0 1 // Depends on your hotend
   4. Enable Wi-Fi and Serial Debug (optional) in Configuration_adv.h
      • • #define SERIAL_PORT -1
#define SERIAL_PORT_2 1
#define BAUDRATE 115200
#define WIFI_SSID "YourSSID"
#define WIFI_PWD "YourPassword"
   5. Set PlatformIO environment in platformio.ini
      • • [env:mks_tinybee]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32dev
framework = arduino
monitor_speed = 115200
build_flags = -D MKS_TINYBEE
src_filter = +<src/> +<Marlin/>

📦 Step 3: Compile and Upload Firmware

1. In VSCode, click the PlatformIO icon on the sidebar.
2. Under PROJECT TASKS > env:mks_tinybee, click Build.
3. After a successful build, connect TinyBee via USB.
4. Click Upload to flash the firmware.

🧪 Step 4: Test and Calibrate

1. Connect via USB or Wi-Fi (e.g., using OctoPrint or Pronterface).
2. Test:
   • Axis movement
   • Endstop triggers
   • Temperature readings
   • Homing and leveling
3. Tweak steps/mm and PID settings as needed.

🔌 Notes

• The MKS TinyBee board comes with TMC2209 stepper drivers pre-configured, and UART is enabled by default.
• Wi-Fi WebUI is supported with ESP3D (optional but useful for wireless printing/control).
• Be careful with voltage levels and fan power wiring; verify fan outputs are 24V/12V depending on your setup.