# Sneak Peek at the X-Controller **URL:** \ **Category:** Products\ **Created:** [May 14, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172 "2015-05-14T19:36:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/1 "2015-05-14T19:36:41Z")
We have been hinting at a new controller based on the TB6600 stepper driver chips over the past few months. We now have a fully functional prototype. [Check out the blog post](http://blog.inventables.com/2015/05/a-sneak-peak-at-x-controller.html) that gives you a sneak peek at it. ![](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/3109d3f30bd66eefb6a2e4bfdc26f78fd45ef61325c8.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![EliasPolitis](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/eliaspolitis/32/67223_2.png) [@EliasPolitis](https://community.inventables.com/u/EliasPolitis)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/2 "2015-05-14T20:17:56Z")
At last! GRBL + 4 drivers + \>2.5Amps. Is this the first GRBL controller made with \>2.5A drivers or am I mistaken? Out of curiosity, is this an Arduino + shield combo or a single board that hosts both GRBL and drivers? Beer well deserved, Bart 😄 ---
**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/3 "2015-05-14T20:22:17Z")
The controller is designed into the main board. We don’t know of any “turn key” grbl solutions with this much power. ---
**Author:** ![TimothyHanson](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/timothyhanson/32/4904_2.png) [@TimothyHanson](https://community.inventables.com/u/TimothyHanson)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/4 "2015-05-14T21:17:36Z")
I approve of both the controller and the photographer’s choice of beer. If it’s not too pricy (errr…the controller, not the beer) then you can count me in as picking one up very soon after they go on sale. I have a set of 270 oz-in steppers from an incomplete DIY machine build that would go nicely with one of those and the X-Carve. ---
**Author:** ![TimKettering](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/timkettering/32/67488_2.png) [@TimKettering](https://community.inventables.com/u/TimKettering)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/5 "2015-05-14T21:19:45Z")
Maybe for the less in-the-know of us, could you indicate to us what this means in regard to the X-Carve? ---
**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/6 "2015-05-14T21:24:03Z")
@TimKettering This is designed for 3 axis machines like the X-Carve. Once we are ready to sell it, we will add an option for it in the X-Carve product configurator. It will also be available as a stand alone product. ---
**Author:** ![TonyNo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/tonyno/32/3291_2.png) [@TonyNo](https://community.inventables.com/u/TonyNo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/7 "2015-05-14T21:32:19Z")
Just higher current than what we have now? ---
**Author:** ![TimothyHanson](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/timothyhanson/32/4904_2.png) [@TimothyHanson](https://community.inventables.com/u/TimothyHanson)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/8 "2015-05-14T21:39:14Z")
Higher current capability for more powerful stepper motors, integrated emergency stop, easily accessible breakouts with nice connectors for motors and accessories…it’s a really nice all-in-one package that makes hooking things up and controlling them a breeze. It wouldn’t be a necessary purchase for someone with a functional machine, but for someone like me who already has some upgrades in mind like bigger motors, it’s a great package that solves a lot of fiddly connection problems. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JoeMeyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@JoeMeyer](https://community.inventables.com/u/JoeMeyer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/9 "2015-05-14T22:20:54Z")
There was a lot of geek-speek in that blog but I think I got a gist of what it will do. If it is indeed a plug-n-play setup with all the electronics/software except the motors - and in a nice neat enclosure to boot - I’d be interested. But not until I had an idea of what the cost would be. I know you can’t be specific now, but surely you can tell us if it will be closer to $1.50 or $1500. There was something in the blog about double-motors on one axis. That’s nice, but I’d like to see a package for a lathe, where that option wouldn’t be needed - just a Z, X, and tail-stock turret. I am surprised the X-Carve was able to handle those motors. I imagine one wrong move where you bury the bit into a piece of aluminum, it locks up, the motor doesn’t stall, and the entire X-Carve twists itself into a pretzel. (Actually I’d pay to see something like that. Rednecks watch NASCAR for the crashes, I watch youtube machinist videos for the crashes…) ---
**Author:** ![sketch42](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/sketch42/32/76722_2.png) [@sketch42](https://community.inventables.com/u/sketch42)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/10 "2015-05-14T22:29:52Z")
Looks great @BartDring! On the AC accessory, will there be a version for those of us in the 240vac world? ---
**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/11 "2015-05-14T22:44:27Z")
@sketch42 What is the standard outlet the 240VAC world would use? ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/rusty/32/72583_2.png) [@Rusty](https://community.inventables.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/12 "2015-05-14T22:46:20Z")
Looks pretty great, might be my first upgrade to my X-Carve after I hopefully re-coop some costs! Any plans for a z-touch probe terminal? ---
**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/13 "2015-05-14T22:55:18Z")
@Rusty There was an oops in my artwork for the rear panel and the word “Probe” got left off. It was supposed to be here. It is supported with its own terminals. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisWundram](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/chriswundram/32/67510_2.png) [@ChrisWundram](https://community.inventables.com/u/ChrisWundram)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/14 "2015-05-14T23:48:06Z")
This is really cool. How about something like XLR connectors for the steppers and limit switches instead of the green terminal blocks? I suppose I could create a cable with XLR on one end and that molex style connector on the other. Also it would be cool if you ran a DB25 connector to the back, so you had an option of using the USB/GRBL control, or disabling the GRBL part, and using Mach3/Parallel port control with the same controller. ---
**Author:** ![drphobus](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/drphobus/32/73499_2.png) [@drphobus](https://community.inventables.com/u/drphobus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 12:01am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/15 "2015-05-15T00:01:24Z")
Standard UK 3 pin plugs are 240 but work fine with 220 and 230 stuff helps the kettle boil faster for a cup of tea 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/rusty/32/72583_2.png) [@Rusty](https://community.inventables.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/16 "2015-05-15T05:03:56Z")
Oh awesome, thanks for clarifying! I see the enclosure has a mounting flange at the bottom for mounting, would it be possible to have a version that has mounting flange at the top? This would be so you could mount it under the top of you bench. ---
**Author:** ![sketch42](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/sketch42/32/76722_2.png) [@sketch42](https://community.inventables.com/u/sketch42)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/17 "2015-05-15T07:10:04Z")
@BartDring There are 3 main types that use or might use 240VAC: AUS/NZ, UK, and EU In NZ/AUS they use these: [AS/NZS 3112 - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AS_3112) ---
**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/18 "2015-05-15T12:12:20Z")
@Rusty You can always mount the controller upside down. International AC Voltages. To all interested, please reply with the connector type you require. If it turns out we only need a few types, we might consider them. [Here is a good reference for connectors.](http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/) ---
**Author:** ![EliasPolitis](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/eliaspolitis/32/67223_2.png) [@EliasPolitis](https://community.inventables.com/u/EliasPolitis)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/19 "2015-05-15T12:45:38Z")
1 vote for Type F (aka “Schuko” ) …used in Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uruguay. (source: Wikipedia) ---
**Author:** ![Rusty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/rusty/32/72583_2.png) [@Rusty](https://community.inventables.com/u/Rusty)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172/20 "2015-05-15T14:49:42Z")
This is true, but than all the nice screen printing will be upside down! [Next page](https://community.inventables.com/t/sneak-peek-at-the-x-controller/8172.md?page=2)