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FluidNC “TMC2209 Pen/Laser CNC Controller” is an ESP32-based 2-axis CNC controller that runs FluidNC open-source firmware and takes up to two TMC2209 stepper drivers to drive pen plotters and laser engravers
ESP32 wireless modules have been used in a range of 3D printer and CNC controllers for years with boards such as Grbl_ESP32 CNC breakout board, Phi MainBoard 5LC 3D printer controller, and the Makerbase MKS DLC32 board we found in TwoTrees TS2 laser engraver and TTC 450 CNC router running MKS-DLC32-FIRMWARE open-source firmware. The FluidNC TMC2209 Pen/Laser CNC Controller offers yet another option and a different open-source FluidNC firmware that is an evolution of the firmware for the aforementioned Grbl_ESP32 that also happens to work on the MKS DLC32 board…
FluidNC “TMC2209 Pen/Laser CNC Controller” specifications:
You’ll find further technical details, a YAML configuration file, and instructions to get started on the wiki. FluidNC source code can be found on GitHub, and a convenient web installer can be used in Chrome, Edge, or Opera (WebSerial is needed so Firefox won’t work) to install the firmware to compatible boards. The PCB is open-source hardware with all resources available on EasyEDA, meaning you can (relatively) easily build it yourself if you would rather do that than purchase it.
I first found the TMC2209 Pen/Laser CNC Controller board on Tindie sold for $45, but it can also be purchased on Elecrow for $40 or even lower if you buy it in bundles of 2 or 5. If you’re interested in FluiNC but a 2-axis CNC controller does not cut it for your application, you’ll find a long list of supported hardware on the project’s wiki.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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