This project is launching very soon on crowdsupply.com

Introduction

JuicyBoard is the base of a modular platform that makes it easy to build a custom 3D printer, CNC, router or any other application that is driven by stepper motors. The idea is simple, unlike most of control boards we’ve seen JuicyBoard is not pre-populated with any drivers, switches or other functional features, instead it only includes the components for common core functions (i.e. Microcontroller, USB port, SD card … etc) while you can populate necessary feature modules for your application. The modularity of the platform gives quite some advantages over static board designs.

JuicyBoard Features

There are 2 models of JuicyBoard R1000A and R1000AX

1. [R1000AX Only] Triple Channel precision power monitors: measure voltage/current of all power domains
2. ATX compatible input power connector (9V ~ 24V / 27A)
3. USB Type-B data port: main port of communication
4. USB Type-A connector for 5V output: power an external system like a Raspberry Pi
5. 5V Switching Regulator (3A output): powers 5V logic and external system
6. 3.3V Switching Regulator (1.5A output): powers 3.3V logic
7. [R1000AX Only] LM5060 Hot Swap Controller: protects system from overshoots, undershoots and overloading
8. LPC1769 ARM Cortex M3 MCU @ 120MHz
9. [R1000AX Only] 100A PSMN1R2-30YLC,115 NFET Switch: used for shuting down the system in case of faults and emergencies
10. Feature Slots: 15 for R1000AX and 10 for R1000A
11. [R1000A Only] Micro SD Card Socket
12. [R1000AX Only] Full Size SD Card Socket

Available Modules

This is a NEMA stepper motor driver based on TI’s DRV8825 chip, It’s a high-performance stepper driver capable of micro-stepping at 1/32 resolution. Current can be digitally set for every driver in 10mA increments. R1001 includes a temperature/voltage/current monitors for realtime performance measurement and detecting problems. This driver includes its own embedded microcontoller that performs extended functions that can't be handled by the host.

This module can control 4 small functions (i.e fans, LED’s) that consume less than 1A and runs at the high input voltage.

This module can drive 4 heaters with strong 100A PSMN1R2-30YLC,115 NFETs from NXP, allowing steady and cool driving of 300+ Watts head beds. R1007 must be powered through its own auxiliary supply input and it is optically isolated from JuicyBoard (meaning, it can have its own separate power and ground, can be powered by up to 24V).

R1008: Dual Channel Platinum RTD PT100 Temperature Sensors

This module interfaces for two PT100 platinum resistor temperature detectors (RTDs) for precision temperature sensing (can have less than 0.2C error). It can work in 2-write, 3-wire or 4-wire configurations.

Other Modules In the Pipe

I'm very open to designing new modules with new functions, here are my thoughts at the moment

• Optically isolated Quad Channel AC PWM power control with zero-crossing capability, can be used to control AC heat elements, which is much more efficient for large and strong heaters
• Optically isolated AC spindle control
• Particle.io Photon/P1 housing module, allows attaching Juicyboard wirelessly to the internet

if you want something else please give me a buzz

Use Cases

I've used JuicyBoard to build a couple of 3D printers and a CNC machine. Here’s a case where the system was used to control a triple extruder, triple head 3D printer (uses polystroooder) that can print 3 different materials. Here is how we configured a 10-slot prototype JuicyBoard to drive the printer:

1. R1003: Wired as Analog inputs to read the temperature through thermistors, 3 hotends and one heated bed
2. R1001: 6x stepper motor drivers, 3 are actuating the motions axes and the other 3 are actuating the extruders
3. R1005: this connects to an R1007 module that is independently powered to switch the hotend and hotbed heaters.
4. R1002: we used one channel to switch the layer fan
5. R1003: Wired as digital...