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Economy controller vs High-Performance GRBL CNC controller
| Arduino + Gshield | Economy controller | High-Performance controller | Duet 2 wifi | |
| Not pictured | Left in picture | Right in picture | Not pictured | |
| Good choice for adding laser and SD card | Good aesthetics (premium black anodized aluminium housing) | For the software geek | ||
| Cost | € (not offered anymore) | € (€94,99 VAT included) Options: – LCD screen and SD reader: €50 – external emergency button: €5 | €€€ (€274,99 VAT included) | €€ (149,99 VAT included) |
| Voltage | 24V 220V->24V external power supply required | 24V 220V->24V external power supply provided | 24V 220V->24V internal power supply integrated | 24V 220V->24V external power supply provided |
| Amount of stepper motor drivers | 3 (Y1 and Y2 motors share one stepper motor driver) | 4 (Y1 and Y2 motors have their own stepper motor driver) | 4 (Y1 and Y2 motors have their own stepper motor driver) | 5 (Y1 and Y2 motors have their own stepper motor driver) |
| Stepper motor driver | Texas Instruments DRV8818 | Texas Instruments DRV8825 | Toshiba TB6600 | Super quiet TMC2660 |
| Current per stepper motor driver (NEMA 23 for CNC’s usually can take max 2.8A for max torque) | Max. 2.3A | Max 2.5A | Max 4A but electronically limited to 2.8A | Max 2.8A but software-wise set to 2.4A |
| Limit switches and Z probe | No pin for Z probe, but free pin on arduino. Pins for adding limit switches, but requires soldering | Connectors for Z probe and limit switches | Connectors for Z probe and limit switches | Connectors for Z probe and limit switches |
| Attaching motors | Tiny screw terminals – need extra wiring for Y axis as Y1 and Y2 motors wires share one terminal | Each motor has it’s own connector on the controller | Each motor has it’s own connector on the controller | Each motor has it’s own connector on the controller |
| Attaching laser | No pin for laser, but free pin on arduino. | Physical button to set to laser mode Connector for controlling laser | Connector for controlling spindle (requires relais) or laser | Yes, unused connectors are available, and can be configured in the software |
| GRBL | Yes 1.1 | Yes 1.1 | Yes 1.1 | |
| Compatible with UGS, Easel, etc | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cooling of the stepper drivers | You can add heatsinks | Heatsinks are recommended | Heatsink is optional as stepper drivers do not operate on full current (electronic reduction to 2.8A for motor protection) | You can add heatsinks |
| Cooling of the housing | You can add your own fan | 4cm 12V fan | 4cm 24V fan | Connector for connecting 24V fan |
| Housing | You can print a 3D housing | A 3D printed housing is provided | Premium black anodized aluminium housing | You can print a 3D housing |
| SD card? | Requires using pins on the arduino – no easy plug and play product available | Connector foreasy plug in of LCD display and SD card for offline control (a cost applies for the LCD display and integrated SD card reader option) | Pins on the controller’s PCB are available – requires soldering 4 contacts to add LCD display and SD card for offline control (a cost applies for the LCD display and integrated SD card reader option) | Yes, micro SD card reader |
| Wifi? | No | No | No | Yes |
| LCD display? | Requires using pins on the arduino – no easy plug and play product available | Connector for easy plug in of LCD display and SD card for offline control (a cost applies for the LCD display and integrated SD card reader option) | Pins on the controller’s PCB are available – requires soldering 4 contacts to add LCD display and SD card for offline control (a cost applies for the LCD display and integrated SD card reader option) | Optional |
