Duet 3 Mainboard 6HC is the flagship controller in the Duet3D range. It is a fully featured, high-power motion controller designed for aluminium extrusion systems and other advanced motion control applications. Capable of controlling multi-axis machines, CNC systems, and 3D printers, it offers both power and flexibility.
The board includes 6 high-current stepper motor drivers, 4 high-current outputs, multiple PWM outputs, and extensive I/O options. Expansion is built in through the CAN-FD bus, enabling connection of expansion boards that add extra functionality, including up to 24 additional stepper driver outputs and 15 axes, support for external drivers, closed-loop steppers, and further I/O.
The 6HC can operate as a standalone controller or connect via SPI to a single-board computer (such as a Raspberry Pi). In SBC mode, it provides flexibility in how the user interfaces with the system, opening up a wide range of software and integration possibilities.
Although originally developed with 3D printing in mind, the Duet 3 Mainboard 6HC is highly adaptable, making it suitable for any application requiring precise and reliable motion control.
Key Features
- Powerful Processing: ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller for fast, reliable performance.
- Flexible Connectivity: Dedicated SPI bus for SBC connection, plus Ethernet (WiFi via module).
- High-Current Drivers: 6x TMC2160/5160 stepper drivers with advanced motion control features.
- Expandable System: CAN-FD bus supports expansion boards with additional drivers and up to 15 axes in total.
- Comprehensive I/O: Multiple PWM outputs and configurable I/O pins for wide application use.
RepRapFirmware
RepRapFirmware is a powerful and flexible firmware designed to run on 32-bit ARM controllers. Configuration is handled entirely through human-readable G-code files stored on the SD card, no recompilation required. The firmware supports hundreds of G-code commands, detailed here: https://docs.duet3d.com/User_manual/Reference/Gcodes
Key capabilities include:
- An object model of machine configuration and state, enabling dynamic access to a wide variety of values.
- Conditional and looping G-code for advanced automation.
- Compatibility with all common kinematics, plus the ability to define custom kinematics.
RepRapFirmware is paired with Duet Web Control (DWC), a full-featured, browser-based interface for configuration and machine management. DWC adapts to your machine setup, providing intuitive access to controls, monitoring, and job management. Users can also extend functionality with custom third-party plugins, making it easy to tailor the interface to specific requirements.
stuart rafferty (verified owner) –
Amazing piece of kit. Now to increase my intelligence to be able to use it.
martin brown (verified owner) –
Uk made, expandability, and web interface, it has capacity.
Charles Fenton (verified owner) –
You get what you pay for. This board is good.
Jean-Christophe (verified owner) –
Great product