MKS TFT28 touch screen on the Ender 3

Previously I made a guide on fitting a MKS Gen L mainboard to the Ender 3. In this guide, we fit a MKS TFT28 colour touch screen. Assuming you have already fitted the MKS Gen L, this means:
- Plug and play, no wiring
- No external power supply needed
- Onboard SD card/USB flash drive printing
- Bolts straight up to Ender 3 / 5, CR-10, Tevo Tornado.
- No firmware changes!

After the easy text file configuration, I show you how to use a custom boot screen and set up custom buttons to run gcode of your choice.

The process of updating the TFT28 is always the same:
1. Create folder with four sets of files (five if you are using the wifi module).
2. Copy onto SD card and insert into TFT28.
3. Reboot TFT28.

The TFT32 should work the same except bigger. My testing unity still hasn’t arrived. Expect follow up videos on this, using the wifi module and other great features.

MKS TFT28 Shopping:

Purchase the Ender 3 from these links:

Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.

#3dprinting #ender3 #touchscreen

[Bernadactyl]

I watched this video when I first got an Ender 3 and was a little bit mystified by it because I didn't know anything yet. I knew I eventually wanted to replace the screen and make it wireless but wasn't sure what all I needed. Having watched videos and experimented for months on end now I pulled this video back up and everything that you're saying makes sense suddenly! Loving your videos, keep up the good work!

[JohnHiggins]

Finally got my TFT28 yesterday and the WiFi module. Not sure what to do with the wifi yet, but it was only $10, so I got it as well. My main problem with the reprap screen was viewing angles and the LCD is much easier to see. Thanks for all you do!

[cityhunterinak]

hello just a heads up to anybody thinking about touch screens the MKS TFT24 is a really good and cheap touch screen its only about 20 bucks on aliexpress and I really love that the sd card is 90 degrees to the screen and not under it the TFT24 has almost the same features as the TFT28 too the only thing it doesn't have is the 12v power input but if your using a gen L or any MKS board really it works just fine

[CYDeviant]

You are such a valuable resource for new people to the hobby. I really thank you for the time you take putting these videos together. You speak clearly, and generally show us everything perfectly.

[daghis]

Thanks to this video and the related one on the MKS Gen L upgrade for the Ender 3, I've completed these upgrades and gave them a spin last night. All in all, it works well, but I am going to be going back to the original screen with click-knob for two reasons:

1. In order to reflash the firmware on the MKS Gen L, it's necessary to disconnect the TFT28. If I leave it connected, it corrupts the firmware upload and renders the MKS Gen L inert. Fortunately, once the touchscreen is disconnected, reflashing works just fine and everything recovers nicely.
2. The touchscreen doesn't completely replace the functionality of the original display, or, more specifically, the click-knob. After completing a PID autotune, Marlin pauses saying "paused for user". At this time, it's expecting the user to click the knob to acknowledge the autotune completion.

For as little as I actually use the printer's console (versus Octoprint either via an attached Raspberry Pi touchscreen or remotely), I'm not going to be that upset at losing the otherwise cool touchscreen.

[RobKruss]

Thanks Michael! I've printed the Case out but was thinking of adding the display and TMC 2130s. Looking forward to more videos on unlocking the potential of the maker base board.

[ATS]

I get my Ender 3 pro in 3 weeks but because of you I ordered this LCD and MKS board.You do the most sophisticated Ptojrcts for 3D printers Thank you from Germany Frankfurt/Main Main that is a river what goes into the Rhein River. I knoe I'm nerdy but I like it this way.

[digitalfixuk]

Things I have learnt since doing this... The TFT screen shares the serial port with the USB port on the MKS GEN L. Originally, I thought this was creating the Checksum errors I was getting but narrowed it down to the fact I had the WiFi module installed. Removing the wifi module has cured these errors. You still need to disconnect the screen to do Marlin Firmware updates though

[JessicaRyanof]

Thank so much for doing this. You have just given me what I was looking for with these videos that you have done on this particular kind of touch screen and the mks board. Very much appreciated.

[dennislokken]

For anybody who can not get this to work (like me). Once you have modified the custom button Icons and the Config file. You must copy the mks_pic directory with your modified bmp-custom(1-7).bmp files in it out of the Images/Win8Style/English directory, directly onto the SD card. In my case all files were stored under Images and it could not find the Icon .bin file(s). So in your root directory there actually needs to be a directory on your SD card called mks_pic. After 4.5 hours, I finally figured it out by searching other tutorials and reading the manufacturers documentation. After all that, I am just not sure it was worth implementing the Custom buttons. Functionality, seems very limited (and there is no direct feedback as to if anything happens...that I can see; Other built-in button "presses" actually accomplish something visible). A lot of things get missed, when the "narrator" speaks at 300 words per minute (or speeds up the video so you have to watch it 6000 times to follow). And of course if the "narrator" slows it down, there will be 1 out of 1, 000, 000 people who will complain about that. :-)

[Obee]

Can’t wait for the TMC stepper driver video. Unfortunately there’s a lot of fragmented information out there regarding them and it appears that implementation of them varies by printer. I’ve been waiting for your video to hopefully perform my MKS board upgrade, EZABL and Pi all at once while I have everything torn apart.

[brknilluzion]

Awesome video, thank you for sharing.
Im jumping in this with your videos as a guide. :)
excited to see the 2130's as well. Awesome that you went with a touch screen too.

[spikekent]

Great instructions as always Michael. Always good to learn more stuff. Looking forward to your TMC 2130 video. it will help me decide which board to upgrade my CR-10s4 to. I am leaning towards the Duet Maestro, but I would like to have TMC 2130 drivers and get the sensorless homing, but it's not set in stone.
Looking forward to seeing your new studio.

[heeder]

Being a Patreon subscriber I want to thank you for this. I had made a 12v pigtail using a 24 to 12v stepdown to run the screen, thanks for the jumper config to allow it to run off the board. I read so much info and never found that. Like others I have a set of 2130’s I’ve been researching and look forward to adding these to fray. You rock Michael, thanks for all your videos

[Rsm]

Suggestion- plz consider making an updated ender 3 video to include references to all the different mods/changes. Some people have different problems and experiences and I believe that would be helpful. As in if you encounter this problem take a look at this video. Thanks for putting these videos together.

[ProcBite]

Can't wait until the TMC2130 video comes out. Keep on the good work!!

[johnnickerson]

I just finished the whole MKS gen l with tft32 and tmc2208 stepper divers, thank you for your videos, everything went great but my temp bounce even at idle, you had the same problem I thought I seen in one of you videos but I can seem to find it and thanks again

[HotBlood]

Once again, you teach me a lot and bring me to an upper level !

[floridasaltlife]

You got to have the best 3d printing channel on the tube, thanks fr what you do.

[spaniarddprints]

Nice condensed tutorial mate! Keep up the great work!!