This kit will upgrade your WorkBee CNC Machine from the xPro controller to the latest and greatest Duet Controller. The CNC xPro is a good controller and has done us proud over the last 3 plus years, however we need a more powerful controller so we can really push the CNC Machining envelope. We feel the Duet is the answer to our calls.

Up until now the Duet has mostly been seen on 3D Printers, and in that community there is a gathering buzz around this controller. 3D Printing has advanced massively over the last few years, and switching to the Duet will allow us to bring these features over to the CNC arena.

See the below table for an outline of the differences between the xPro and Duet.

The Duet In More Detail

The Duet is a more powerful controller, with a 32bit processor it allows more headroom for advanced features down the line. Further to this, the Duet has TMC2660 drivers, these drivers are packed full with amazing features like Stall Guard, StealthChop & SpreadCycle. See the video below to get an idea of how smooth and quiet it makes the WorkBee.

The Duet also has wireless connectivity, this means you can control your WorkBee from a computer or laptop anywhere that is connected to the same Wifi. The control software just runs inside a normal browser so you also can use your smartphone to control the machine.

The Duet has all CNC Functionality built in, including machine/work positioning, offsets, and spindle/laser control.

As the Duet is a more powerful controller and has advanced 3D Printing features already built in, over time we are going to be bring out exciting new features for the WorkBee CNC Machine as free updates. Getting the WorkBee with the Duet now will future proof your machine for the foreseeable future.

WhAT IS IN THE KIT?

This kit includes all the parts you will need to change from the xPro controller to the Duet. As the Duet doesn’t use screw terminals for its motors and limit switches, this kit also comes with all new motor wires and limit switches cut to the correct length and pre-terminated with connectors.

To make sure you get the correct length wires, please select your WorkBee drive version and size from the drop down list.

The Duet is available in two versions Ethernet or Wifi. Please select the version most appropriate to you. Please note to change between the two versions will require a whole new board.