Main Control Units¶

Overview¶

Main Control Units (MCUs) are the brains of 3D printers, responsible for processing commands, controlling motors, and managing various peripherals. This guide provides a quick comparison of different MCU options and links to detailed information pages.

Quick Comparison Table¶

MCU Series	Processor	Stepper Drivers	Connectivity	Price Range	Best For	Purchase
BTT SKR Series	STM32/RP2040	4-6	USB, UART	$	Entry to Mid-range	Biqu Offical Store
MKS Boards	LPC1768/1769	4-6	USB/Ethernet	$$	Mid-range	Amazon link
Octopus Series	STM32	8	Multiple	$$$	High-end	Biqu Offical link
Mellow Fly Boards	STM32F407	4-8	Multiple	$$-$$$$	Mid to High-end

Key Features Comparison¶

Processor Types¶

Type	Examples	Features	Best For
8-bit	ATmega2560	Basic features	Legacy systems
32-bit	STM32F4/H7	Advanced features	Modern printers
Multi-core	RP2040	Parallel processing	*depends on use case

Connectivity Options¶

Type	Speed	Use Cases	Compatibility
USB	High	Direct connection	Universal
CAN bus	Medium	Networked devices	Advanced setups
Ethernet	High	Network integration	Professional use

Selection Guide¶

Factors to Consider¶

Processor Requirements
Basic: 8-bit boards
Standard: 32-bit boards
Advanced: Multi-core boards
Stepper Driver Support
Number of drivers needed
Driver type (TMC, A4988)
UART/SPI support
Connectivity Needs
USB
CAN bus
WiFi/Bluetooth
Ethernet
heater ports
thermister pins
fan pins
endstops
Budget Considerations
Entry level: Basic boards
Mid-range: Standard boards
High-end: Advanced boards

Firmware Compatibility¶

Klipper¶

Configuration requirements
Feature support
Update procedures
Custom macros
requires SOC or aditional board to host

Marlin¶

Version compatibility
Feature support
Configuration
Updates

References¶

Voron Design Documentation
Community Modifications Database
User Experience Reports

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