Main Control Units | Voron3D Wiki

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 (affiliate link — we may earn a commission)
MKS Boards	LPC1768/1769	4-6	USB/Ethernet	$$	Mid-range	Amazon link (affiliate link — we may earn a commission)
Octopus Series	STM32	8	Multiple	$$$	High-end	Biqu Offical link (affiliate link — we may earn a commission)
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