Upgrading the firmware on your Two Trees Sapphire Pro is the most effective way to unlock better print quality, quieter operation, and essential safety features like thermal runaway protection. While the factory firmware is functional, most users transition to a custom Marlin build or Klipper to harness the full potential of the CoreXY motion system.
This guide covers everything you need to know to successfully update your Sapphire Pro firmware. Why Update Your Firmware?
Safety First: Ensure thermal runaway protection is active to prevent fire hazards.
Linear Advance: Achieve sharper corners by managing nozzle pressure.
Manual Mesh Bed Leveling: Compensate for warped beds without extra hardware.
Quiet Operation: Better utilization of the MKS Robin Nano’s TMC2208/2225 drivers.
UI Improvements: Access more intuitive menus and real-time tuning options. Preparation and Prerequisites
Before starting, identify your hardware version. Most Sapphire Pro units ship with the MKS Robin Nano motherboard, but versions (v1.1, v1.2, or v1.3) vary slightly in pin definitions.
A high-quality MicroSD card: Use a 16GB or smaller card formatted to FAT32 with a 4096-byte allocation unit size.
Firmware Files: You will need the compiled .bin file and the assets folder (for the touch screen UI).
USB Connection: Helpful for PID tuning after the update using tools like Pronterface. Step-by-Step Installation Guide 1. Choose Your Firmware Flavor
Marlin (Recommended): Great for general stability. Look for pre-compiled builds on GitHub (search for "Sapphire Pro Marlin") that match your specific stepper drivers.
Klipper: If you want high-speed printing and have a Raspberry Pi, Klipper is the superior choice for CoreXY machines. 2. Prepare the SD Card two trees sapphire pro firmware upd
Download your chosen firmware package. Your SD card root directory should look like this:
Robin_nano35.bin (The filename must be exactly what the board expects).
mks_config.txt (Configuration file for screen and motor settings). mks_pic (Folder containing UI icons). mks_font (Folder containing UI text fonts). 3. Flashing the Board Power off the printer.
Insert the MicroSD card into the slot on the front of the printer. Power the printer on.
You will see a progress bar on the screen. Do not turn off the power during this process.
Once finished, the printer will boot into the new interface. Post-Update Calibration
Updating the firmware resets your machine's logic. You must perform these three steps to avoid print failures:
PID Tuning: Calibrate your heater block and bed to ensure stable temperatures. Use the command M303 E0 S210 C8 in a terminal.
E-Step Calibration: Ensure your extruder is pushing the exact amount of filament requested.
Z-Offset/Leveling: Re-level your bed completely, as the new firmware may have different home positions. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Blank Screen After Flash: This usually means the firmware filename was incorrect or the assets folders were missing. Ensure the .bin file renamed itself to .cur on the SD card (this confirms a successful flash).
Motors Moving Wrong Way: If your X or Y axes are inverted, you can usually flip them in the mks_config.txt file without re-compiling the entire firmware. Upgrading the firmware on your Two Trees Sapphire
SD Card Not Read: The MKS Robin Nano is picky. Use a low-capacity card and ensure it is formatted correctly to FAT32. If you'd like to dive deeper into the setup:
Specific Marlin configuration settings (stepper currents, travel limits) Klipper installation via Raspberry Pi BlTouch integration wiring and firmware logic Which of these areas should we focus on next?
1. Safety Features (Critical) Many Sapphire Pro units shipped with Thermal Runaway Protection disabled in the firmware. This is a critical safety feature that shuts down the printer if the hotend or bed doesn't heat up as expected (preventing fire hazards). A firmware update enables this.
2. Silent Printing The Sapphire Pro uses TMC2208 or TMC2225 drivers. However, the stock firmware often runs them in "SpreadCycle" mode, which is noisy. A firmware update allows you to enable StealthChop2, making the printer nearly silent during movement.
3. Improved Bed Leveling (UBL) The Sapphire Pro has a direct-drive extruder, making it great for bed leveling. Updated firmware enables Unified Bed Leveling (UBL) or improved Auto-Leveling algorithms, which compensate for the glass bed's slight imperfections much better than the stock "bilinear" leveling.
4. Thermal Settings Tuning The Sapphire Pro is a "speed" printer (CoreXY). The default PID values (how the printer maintains temperature) can be unstable at high speeds. Updated firmware allows for PID Autotune to be saved permanently, eliminating temperature fluctuations that cause print defects.
Published by: 3D Printing Tech Desk
Reading time: 8 minutes
If you own a Two Trees Sapphire Pro, you know it is a formidable CoreXY 3D printer capable of outstanding print quality. However, like all advanced 3D printers, its brain—the firmware—needs periodic maintenance. Whether you are chasing better thermal management, quieter stepper motors, or fixing a persistent bug, learning the correct Two Trees Sapphire Pro firmware upd process is essential.
This guide covers everything: from identifying your current board version to compiling Marlin 2.1.x, performing the flash, and common troubleshooting.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Solution | |---------|--------------|----------| | Screen stays blue >2 min | Wrong .bin name or wrong board target | Rename file correctly; recompile for your MCU | | Printer beeps repeatedly | SD card not FAT32 | Reformat, use 8GB card if possible | | Old version still shown | Bootloader skipped update | Clear SD card, keep only one .bin file, retry | | Touch screen icons missing | LCD firmware mismatch | Flash DWIN LCD firmware separately |
| Action | Key sequence / file |
|--------|----------------------|
| Enter DFU (rare) | Hold reset + boot0 on mainboard |
| LCD touch calibration | Create reset.txt on SD root |
| Factory reset | Send M502 then M500 via serial |
To update the firmware on your Two Trees Sapphire Pro (now often called the Why You Should Update (The Pros) 1
), follow the steps below. The printer typically uses the MKS Robin Nano motherboard. Quick Update Guide
Updating is generally a simple process of placing the correct files on an SD card and booting the machine.
Prepare SD Card: Use a FAT32-formatted TF/microSD card (ideally 16GB or smaller).
Download Files: Obtain the firmware files from an official or community source. You will typically need: Robin_nano35.bin (the main firmware binary). assets folder (contains UI icons and fonts for the screen).
Transfer: Copy these directly to the root directory of the SD card.
Install: Insert the card into the powered-off printer. Turn it on; the update should begin automatically.
Note: If it doesn't start, try renaming the file to Robin_nano.bin. Firmware Options Sapphire Pro Marlin 2.0.X
The Two Trees Sapphire Pro has shipped with at least three different control boards over its production life. Applying the wrong firmware will brick the machine. Before proceeding with any firmware upd, identify your board:
| Board Name | Chip | Typical Firmware | |------------|------|------------------| | Two Trees 32-bit board (TT V1.2) | STM32 | GRBL 1.1 or GRBLHAL | | MKS DLC32 | ESP32 | GRBL-ESP32 (FluidNC) | | Stock 8-bit board | ATmega328P | GRBL 0.9–1.1 |
How to Check: Remove the base plate or look through the vent slots. The board name is usually printed in white silk screen. Alternatively, connect via LightBurn and type $$ in the console. The response will show firmware version.
Pro Tip: If your board says "MKS DLC V2.0", you are using FluidNC – a completely different update process (web-based). This guide focuses on the more common STM32 and ATmega versions.
.bin file to the root of the SD card.Robin_nano_v3.bin (exact name required by bootloader).Before updating, you must identify which mainboard version your Sapphire Pro uses. Two Trees has shipped the Sapphire Pro with different boards over its production run.
Why does this matter? You cannot flash firmware meant for an SKR board onto a generic board, and vice versa. Opening your electronics box to visually inspect the board is the safest way to confirm this.
Only when you encounter a bug that a new version fixes, or when a feature (like rotary axis) requires it. Don’t update for the sake of updating.