What is it?

This is a breakout board that along with a Raspberry Pi Pico becomes a CNC motion controller for devices like routers, mills, lasers and lathes. Using grblHAL, it forms the basis of a motion control system with advanced features that you would have to pay multi-hundreds of dollars to get with other products. With a $4 USD Pico Microcontroller, this is a very cost effective CNC controller. Soldering required.

Features

• Compatible with Raspberry PI Pico and Pico W.
• USB interface (via Pico or Pico W).
• WiFi interface (via Pico W).
• 4 Axis control outputs – 5V compatible.
• Independent enables for each axis.
• 9 Opto-isolated inputs including standard Grbl controls and limits switches for all axes.
• Isolated 12V limit switch input on all 4 axes.
• 7 Relay Outputs – Spindle, Mist Coolant, Flood Coolant, Dust Extraction and 3 auxiliary relays. Each output can directly control a relay coil or 5V TTL (SSR compatible) devices.
• 5 additional 5V TTL/SSR outputs.
• Dust Extraction relay support. Activated by spindle enable.
• Separate control of Dust Extraction relay via pin header.
• Relay coil voltage switchable between 5V and 12V.
• Standard Grbl spindle control outputs – 5V compatible.
• 0-10V spindle control output.
• Screw Terminals for reliable connections available for most I/O.
• microSD Card socket
• Requires 12V supply.
• On-board 5V regulator.
• Flexible 12V power for isolated inputs. May be powered separately for isolation or off main board 12V.
• LED indicators for 12V input.
• EEPROM footprint. Supports EEPROM or FRAM.
• I2C header with daughter card mounting holes.
• SPI header with daughter card mounting holes.
• UART header with daughter card mounting holes. Supports 5V or 3.3V.

Further Information

What do you get?

You will get a PCB populated with all the surface mount parts. If you purchase the optional assembly kit, you will get all the connectors plus a trimmer resistor needed to make the PicoCNC ready to be installed in your CNC machine. Adding a Pico or Pico W completes the package. Soldering required to complete assembly.

Assembly Kit.

We are offer an optional assembly kit. It contains all the connectors needed to make your PicoCNC ready to install in your CNC machine. You will need to solder these in place.

What makes it special?

PicoCNC can control most common CNC machines that hobbyists build or own. It provides a cost effective and significant improvement over the typical Arduino based controllers in that it has much higher step rate and is designed to handle electromagnetic interference. In addition, it has features you will find on professional CNC controllers like spindle control.