# CNC Control Board

A picture of the top of the board in its case

# Description

I designed and built a CNC control board that can be used for a variety of projects. It can be used to control a robotic arm, CNC router, plotter, or even for DotBot (opens new window), my POE project. It has the ability to connect to a computer or access files from a microSD card in order to receive instructions. My plan is to implement this into a future project!

# Demo

A GIF of the menu system

A demonstration of the menu system. Check out the full video here (opens new window).

A GIF demonstrating some of the features

A demonstration of basic board abilities. Check out the full video here (opens new window).

# Specs

The board is controlled by a Teensy 3.6 microcontroller to provide the many ports needed, fast processing, and even an microSD slot to import data, like Gcode. and has the following components:

# Actuators

Three Steppers
A Servo
A 12V device (Solenoid, DC Motor, Extruder Hotend)

# User Interface

64x128 OLED Display
Rotary Encoder with switch
Green and Red LEDs

# Control

Three connectors for limit switches
Six Analog/Digital pins
Six Digital pins
I2c Connection
Jumpers to control micro stepping

# Power

Hardwired toggle switch to disconnect all power
Barrel Jack for 12V 5A source

# Micro Stepping

M0	M1	M2	Microstep Resolution
Low	Low	Low	Full step
High	Low	Low	1/2 step
Low	High	Low	1/4 step
High	High	Low	1/8 step
Low	Low	High	1/16 step
High	Low	High	1/32 step
Low	High	High	1/32 step
High	High	High	1/32 step

# The Board

Check out the schematic for version 2.0!

A gif showing the PCB layers

Layers of the PCB

# Reflection

I really enjoyed working on this project and learned a lot! I had never designed a PCB before and leaning the basics PCB design in by making something I can use for tons of other projects is really exciting!

# Future Steps

If I were to make another iteration I would switch to using surface mount components to save space and cost. I would also add another stepper to make it easier to hook up the board to a 3d printer. I would also rewire to allow other stepper drivers like the TMC2209 to be swapped in.

Since this Board contains everything to run the DotBot (opens new window), one of my next steps is to attach the gantry I designed.

# Want to use this board?

All of the materials are available on Github (opens new window)

Gerbers for ordering the PCB
Basic Arduino code to show off the boards features
STL for 3d printing Case
Check out the Bill of materials