¶ Overview
This is a CNC controller targeting machines that use stepper motors on 2 axes. These include pen drawing machines, laser cutter/engravers, sand plotter, etc.
¶ Where to Buy
- Tindie (coming soon)
- Elecrow
¶ Features
- Built in ESP32 Module (4 Meg, PCB Antenna)
- USB-C Connector
- (2) TMC2209 stepper drivers.
- Optional stallguard for sensorless end stops
- (6) inputs (limit and control switches)
- (3) 5V outputs to control lasers, and accessories.
- (1) RC servo connection
- I/O Expansion port for displays and pendants.
- SD Card socket.
¶ Asking For Help
Before asking for help, please search all areas of this wiki. Your questions have probably been asked before and long detailed answers with photos, drawings and schematics are on this wiki.
See this help page if you still have problems.
Please ask all other questions via our discord server.
¶ Built in ESP32
This uses a USB-C connector. The main power must be supplied via the terminal block to power the USB chip. You will not get a USB connection to your computer if the main power is not on.
¶ Power Supply
The controller must be powered via a 12-30VDC power supply. It should be able to supply a minimum of 3A. If you are attaching external devices to any of the VMot connections, you should add those currents.
Be very careful getting the voltage polarity correct. There is no reverse polariy protection, so you will destroy the controller and probably some connected items.
¶ Programming
The controller is programmed with the current FluidNC revision at the time it was produced. It also has a very basic config file that is used for testing. There is a testing gcode file that blinks the LEDs and moves the motors. You should check for updates before using the controller. The version is shown in the startup messages. Send $ss to see them after again startup. The current FluidNC release is always listed here.
Apply power to the controller via the power terminal block. Check that the 3.3v LED at the upper left of the PCB is lit. Connect a high quality USB C cable to the controller. Connect the other end to a PC (Windows, Mac or Linux).
Use the Chrome browser to connect to the FluidNC Web Installer page. Click the connect button. Select the COM port associated with controller. The USB device is a Silicon Labs CP2102. If you see several COM ports available, look for one with a description similar to that. Select it, so the web page connects to it.
Install the version with the highest number. Do not use any test releases unless instructed to do so to help with a support issue.
See the general installation page for more information and alternative methods.
¶ Motors
The motor drivers are TMC2209. They are configured through the config file. The maximum current setting is about 2.0Amps. If the drivers get hot you must add a heatsink. If they get too hot they will shutdown.
¶ RC Servo
There is a standard RC servo connector that can be used for pen lift mechanism or other uses. See the example config below and the wiki.
If you don't use an RC Servo, you can use the signal pin as a 5V output signal.
¶ Inputs
The inputs work by completing a circuit to ground. You can use electronic types if they close to ground (NPN)
¶ Using StallGuard as an endstop
You must close the solder jumpers shown on the pinout diagram below. You must not connect anything to the terminal blocks for the X and Y inputs. Configure and tune the settings per this wiki page.
¶ Outputs
The outputs are all 5V. You can use them for digital (on/off) functions as well as PWM.
¶ Expansion Port Connector
This is typically used to connect a display or pendant via a UART connection.
It uses the standard pinout for CNC I/O module, but there are only 2 I/O pins instead on the normal 4. Many modules will work fine though, like the relay, display isolator or isolated RS485. Other multiple channel module like the MOSFET, 5V output or input modules will work on the first 2 channels. You may need to clip some unused pins to avoid touching components on the controller. Use a 11mm M3 spacer to secure it to the controller.
The 2 I/O pins are directly connected to the ESP32, so they can be used for just about any I/O function.
Example installed module
¶ Default Config File
name: "TMC2209 XY Servo Laser"
board: "FluidNC Pen/Laser 2209 V2"
stepping:
engine: RMT
idle_ms: 255
dir_delay_us: 1
pulse_us: 2
disable_delay_us: 0
start:
must_home: true
deactivate_parking: false
check_limits: true
#Stepper Driver UART
uart1:
txd_pin: gpio.17
rxd_pin: gpio.16
rts_pin: NO_PIN
cts_pin: NO_PIN
baud: 115200
mode: 8N1
# Pendant UART
uart2:
txd_pin: gpio.4
rxd_pin: gpio.15
rts_pin: NO_PIN
cts_pin: NO_PIN
baud: 5000000
mode: 8N1
# Pendant
uart_channel2:
uart_num: 2
report_interval_ms: 75
axes:
shared_stepper_disable_pin: gpio.13:high
x:
steps_per_mm: 100
max_rate_mm_per_min: 2000
acceleration_mm_per_sec2: 25
max_travel_mm: 1000
soft_limits: false
homing:
cycle: 2
positive_direction: false
mpos_mm: 0
feed_mm_per_min: 100.000
seek_mm_per_min: 200.000
settle_ms: 500
seek_scaler: 1.100
feed_scaler: 1.100
motor0:
limit_neg_pin: gpio.36:low
tmc_2209:
uart_num: 1
addr: 0
r_sense_ohms: 0.110
run_amps: 1.000
hold_amps: 0.500
microsteps: 16
stallguard: 0
stallguard_debug: false
toff_disable: 0
toff_stealthchop: 5
toff_coolstep: 3
run_mode: StealthChop
homing_mode: StealthChop
use_enable: false
direction_pin: gpio.12
step_pin: gpio.14
motor1:
null_motor:
y:
steps_per_mm: 100
max_rate_mm_per_min: 2000
acceleration_mm_per_sec2: 25
max_travel_mm: 1000
soft_limits: false
homing:
cycle: 2
positive_direction: false
mpos_mm: 0.000
feed_mm_per_min: 100.000
seek_mm_per_min: 200.000
settle_ms: 500
seek_scaler: 1.100
feed_scaler: 1.100
motor0:
limit_neg_pin: gpio.39:low
tmc_2209:
uart_num: 1
addr: 1
r_sense_ohms: 0.110
run_amps: 0.800
hold_amps: 0.500
microsteps: 16
stallguard: 0
stallguard_debug: false
toff_disable: 0
toff_stealthchop: 5
toff_coolstep: 3
run_mode: StealthChop
homing_mode: StealthChop
use_enable: false
direction_pin: gpio.26
step_pin: gpio.25
motor1:
null_motor:
z:
steps_per_mm: 100
max_rate_mm_per_min: 1000
acceleration_mm_per_sec2: 50
max_travel_mm: 5.00
soft_limits: false
homing:
cycle: 1
positive_direction: true
mpos_mm: 5
feed_mm_per_min: 100.000
seek_mm_per_min: 200.000
settle_ms: 500
seek_scaler: 1.100
feed_scaler: 1.100
motor0:
rc_servo:
pwm_hz: 50
output_pin: gpio.21
min_pulse_us: 1000
max_pulse_us: 2100
spi:
miso_pin: gpio.19
mosi_pin: gpio.23
sck_pin: gpio.18
sdcard:
cs_pin: gpio.5
card_detect_pin: NO_PIN
coolant:
flood_pin: NO_PIN
mist_pin: gpio.22
probe:
pin: gpio.32:low
control:
feed_hold_pin: gpio.35:low
cycle_start_pin: gpio.34:low
safety_door_pin: gpio.33:low
Laser:
pwm_hz: 5000
output_pin: gpio.27
enable_pin: gpio.2
disable_with_s0: false
s0_with_disable: true
tool_num: 0
speed_map: 0=0.000% 255=100.000%
¶ Pinout
¶ Source Files
- via EasyEDA Please consider donating to the FluidNC if you clone the project or build your own from the source files.
- 3D File (via Fusion 360)