Phi Mainboard 5LC Is an Open Source 3D Printer Controller with Built-In Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Based on an ESP32 and SAM E51, the Phi provides a web interface to configure and control 3D printers, upload G-code and monitor prints.
Likha Labs has released its Phi Mainboard 5LC 3D printer controller that doesn’t require a separate board for processing functions. The Phi is geared for network connectivity and provides a web interface to configure and control 3D printers, upload G-code and monitor prints in real-time. What’s more, it can go beyond controlling 3D printers and act as a control unit for other devices, including CNC machines.
The Phi is outfitted with an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 module, which handles networking and interfaces, and a Microchip SAM E51 microcontroller tasked with kinematics, stepping, digital and analog I/O, and other real-time control of the machine.
The board can support a wired or wireless connection and connects to either within seconds. It also uses RepRapFirmWare, making it compatible with most 3D printers and CNC machines. The board is packed with features and comes equipped with a 10/100 Ethernet port, micro USB port, micro SD slot, indicator LEDs and a reset button. Beyond that, the Phi has five built-in TMC2209 stepper drivers, a dual-port TMC2209 stepper driver, a pair of extruder heater ports, three high current MOSFETs, two fan ports with tach inputs and a couple fan ports without tach inputs.
Additional features include a servo/VFD port, always-on output port, heated bed output, 12V/5V power options, bed heater fuse, and five onboard voltage regulators (5V, 3A for internal use (5V_CORE), 3.3V, 1A for internal use (3.3V_CORE), 5 V, 3A for external use, 3.3 V, 1A for external use, 12 V, 3 A for external use). It also packs a CAN-FD port, NeoPixel port, seven GPIO, three thermistor inputs, a temperature sensor, power indicator LEDs and more.
The Phi Mainboard 5LC is currently funding on Crowd Supply, priced at $149. Delivery is slated for July 2022.