skr

SKR is an acronym with multiple meanings, but in contemporary maker and 3D printing communities it most often refers to a line of controller boards produced by BigTreeTech. These boards are designed to replace older 8-bit controllers and provide more processing power, memory, and connectivity for hobbyist printers. The SKR family is valued for its versatility, open-source hardware, and broad firmware support.

A typical SKR board centers on a 32-bit microcontroller and offers multiple stepper-driver sockets, usually compatible with popular A3967/Trinamic drivers such as the TMC2208 or TMC2209. They provide several heater channels, multiple thermistor inputs, endstop inputs, E-stop options, and fan outputs. Connectivity often includes USB and a microSD/SD card interface, along with headers for standard LCD controllers and other expansion modules. The boards are designed to work with common 3D printer firmware, including Marlin, Klipper, and RepRapFirmware, enabling flexible configuration and advanced features.

Notable models in the SKR line include SKR 1.3, SKR 1.4, and the compact SKR Mini E3. SKR 1.x boards are widely used in a range of printer builds, offering compatibility with typical RAMPS-era layouts while leveraging a 32-bit architecture. The SKR Mini E3 is focused on smaller printers and compact form factors. The SKR boards have strong community support, extensive documentation, and are commonly chosen for upgrades and custom builds.

Outside of 3D printing, SKR can denote other terms or organizations, but this article concentrates on the SKR controller boards and their role in modern DIY printers.