Anycubic Mega S Octodash Screen Replacement

The Story:

I did “Brain Surgery” on my Anycubic i3 Mega-S a while ago, replacing a fried motherboard with an SKR3. I wanted to do my own Marlin build, but in the end I couldn't get the stock TFT to work. So I removed it and just ran everything through a browser with OctoPrint for a while.

But that hole in the front of the 3D printer's frame was like a hole through my heart, and I knew I could get a touchscreen to work with Octoprint somehow, right?

Enter a 3.5" TFT from Amazon and Octodash!

So I designed a custom case for the new face!

Not only does it hold all the parts together, the screen case is sized to press-fit together and press-fit into the opening on the Anycubic Mega S.

And really, the screws to secure the Raspberry are optional if you have a good fit between the Pi and the TFT.

Parts List as Shown:

Further instructions and links to Amazon parts will come soon.

Happy New Year!

***Edit 01/02/23***

Software Instructions:

1. Get your configuration of Octoprint running and install OctoDash per the Github instructions.
2. Verify that your TFT connects properly to your Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and that the software and touchscreen work before proceeding.

Printing Instructions:

I used PETG, 0.45mm lines and 0.2mm layers, but it should print well with other materials, let me know if you try something different!

Assembly Instructions:

1. Clean up your printed parts as necessary to remove printing artifacts, stringing, elephant's foot, etc.
2. Check that your TFT screen fits in both parts. It should fit very snugly in the frame, and with some clearance around the outline in the base.
3. Measure your Anycubic Mega-S touchscreen opening and measure the back of the TFTBase. It should be almost the same size, allowing you to press it in with a little force and not wiggle after insertion. Sand or needle-file your printed part if necessary to make it fit. I wouldn't try it too many times to avoid wearing the edges down and creating too much clearance.
4. (optional) Heat and insert the 4x threaded inserts in the TFTBase as shown. Clean up the hole if necessary and make sure your screws can thread all the way through.
5. Place the TFT screen in the TFTFrame, face down. Check the orientation, which is offset to place the actual touchscreen area in the center of the frame. Make sure the screen is fully inserted and that the front is flush with the inside of the frame.
6. With the screen and frame placed face down on a table, align and insert the TFTBase. Use even pressure and press each corner of the base down until all the edges of the base and frame meet. The GPIO plug on the TFT sticks out, but nothing else should.
7. Align your Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and insert it on the TFT using the GPIO pins.
8. (optional) If you added the threaded inserts in step 3, insert the 4x M2.5 standoffs between the Raspberry Pi and the TFTBase. Then insert the M2.5x16mm screws through the Raspberry Pi and standoffs holes and screw them into the threaded inserts. Don't overtighten them as you can easily damage your Raspberry Pi with too much clamping force.
9. Plug in your Raspberry Pi and test your touchscreen and USB connections to the 3D printer and any other devices.
10. Carefully insert the wiring and the Raspberry Pi through the Anycubic Mega-S screen opening. Then slide it around until you find where the TFTBase aligns with the metal opening.
11. ***NOTE*** DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO THE TOUCHSCREEN IN THIS STEP. Using a moderate amount of force and even pressure on all corners of the TFTFrame, press the TFTBase into the Anycubic Mega-S screen opening. It should press all the way in to be flush between the edge of the TFTBase and the metal frame.
12. (recommended) Take a picture and upload a make!

****edit****

Shopping References:

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (Pishop.us)

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Adapter Kit for GPIO Pins + USB (Pishop.us)

Hosyond 3.5 Inch 480x320 TFT Touchscreen for Raspberry Pi (Amazon)

M2.5 360 Piece Socket Head Cap Screws Set (Amazon)

M2-M2.5-M3 170 Piece Heat Set Threaded Inserts Set (Amazon)

I only include these as examples, you can probably save money and find cheaper options for the Hardware. They are not affiliate links, I do not get any money from you using these links.