The GPIO module is an excellent tool for modders, hackers, and tinkerers who love adding new features to their 3D printers. It connects to the I2C port on the xBuddy board of your Original Prusa MK4/S, MK3.9/S, or MK3.5/S, enabling you to control and receive input from external devices. You can create a trigger for your camera to capture precise timelapse photos, control external LED lighting to alert you with different colors when the printer has finished printing or requires attention, adjust fan speed, control servos, activate enclosure functions, and much more—you name it! All you need is a connected GPIO module and a custom G-code command, which can be executed at a specific layer, at the start or end of a print, or during other events. You can set all commands directly in PrusaSlicer. You can also integrate a button or macro keyboard and assign each key to execute specific G-code scripts, stored in the printer’s USB drive, allowing you to control various printer functions, such as setting the printer to a ready state, managing the print, adjusting temperatures, or executing other actions. You can find detailed instructions on how to use it on the Prusa Research help page.
