Ultralight N17 R1.2 (Prototype) x Millennium Machines

· Ben

Board Snapshot

Introduction

The Ultralight N17 (UL.N17) is the first RepRapFirmware and Klipper (TBC) compatible expansion board from Mettle & Byte (MnB), a one-man operation developing software, hardware and firmware for the open source / hobby CNC space.

Developed in collaboration with Millennium Machines, the Ultralight N17 is a CAN / CAN-FD connected motor driver designed to fit onto the back of any NEMA17 size motor.

Initially intended for use on the Millennium Machines rotary toolchanger, the UL.N17 aims to be a highly versatile expansion option, bypassing mainboard driver limitations, and allowing control of remote motors over significant distances.

The UL.N17 takes inspiration from many open-source hardware projects, and as such, the schematic will be available as well.

Features

  • RP2040 Microcontroller
  • 1 x TMC2240 Smart Motor Driver
    • 24v Recommended input voltage (36v absolute maximum)
    • 1A Maximum motor current
    • Overvoltage protection set at 38v, switched by AONR62818 (80v G/S)
    • UART or SPI configuration
    • JST-XH (2.5mm) 4 pin connector
    • DIAG pin connected to RP2040
  • General Purpose IO
    • Voltage selectable VIO applies to both Endstop input and Auxiliary output
      • 5v, 12v or VIN
    • All GPIO Optically isolated using EL357N
    • 1 x Endstop input
      • JST-PH (2mm) 3 pin connector
      • NPN / PNP jumper
    • 1 x Auxiliary (PWM) output
      • JST-PH (2mm) 2 pin connector
      • Max 1.5A @ 5v 12v or VIN, ground switched
      • Switched by AONR62818 (80v G/S)
    • LED status indicators (STOP and AUX)
  • Texas Instruments based, high efficiency 12v, 5v and 3.3v rails for smooth, reliable power delivery.
  • CAN-FD / CANBus connectivity
    • Based on Microchip MCP2518 (Controller) and MCP2542 (Transceiver)
    • Switchable CAN source to Transceiver
      • Either using the MCP2518 controlled over SPI (RRF)
      • or implemented in firmware and RP2040 MCU (Klipper / others)
    • Split bus termination and ESD protected to ±15kV air and ±8kV contact discharges
  • User-accessible USB Boot / Reset buttons
  • VIN and MCU LED status indicators
  • Exposed RP2040 SWCLK and SWD pins

Configuration

USB

USB Jumper

Issues

Motivations

Thanks