Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options

engikeneer

There is the 3 2-driver expansion board for the Mini that should be out soon, but I'm wondering if there are any plans for any additional CAN expansion boards (e.g. a 3LC using TMC2209s or something closer to the Minis drivers?)

Equally is there a limit on how many expansion boards the Mini can take? I'm guessing its not quite as high as the 6HC but higher than one or two?

My dilemma is more on how/what I plan for developing my main core xy printer. It has a Chimera and triple z so needs 7 drivers (mini + expansion looking good ). Currntly it has Duet Wifi with 3 external stepstick drivers for the Z, but I'd like to put that in another printer. Further down the line, I'm hoping to develop the core xy into a tool changer so will want a few more drivers. Maybe just a set of toolboards, but might keep some bowden so lose some of the advantages. I'm undecided so can't really be very clear in what I might want...

Edit: 2-driver mini expansion board, not 3!

T3P3Tony

Hi Tom, its a two driver expansion now as we changed from 3 to two external drivers in order to support CAN.

There are no current plans for a CAN connected 3LC type board but we would consider it if there was enough demand. I think that in many cases the 7 2209s on a mini 5+ and mini 2+, with added tool boards for extruders covers a lot of medium stepper motor current use cases.

If tool boards don't suit then another option is to use the 3HC and use the higher current drivers for X and Y (then you can use bigger motors :D)

dc42

We anticipate that for users of the Mini 5+, the most common route for expansion beyond the 2-driver expansion board will be to connect tool boards. However, in the medium term we hope to provide the option of using a second Mini 5+ as an expansion board.

engikeneer

@dc42 @T3P3Tony Thanks both for the quick answers.

Any updates on when the Mini 2+ boards might be released? I've seen the prototype boards on the announcement thread so guessing they can't be far off?

Very exciting idea of connecting 2 main boards together in the future. That opens up another avenue of possibilities!

Mosher

@T3P3Tony @dc42 is there a time horizont when mini 2+ will be available? i can't find any information about it. I would like to purchase mini 5+ bu t without mini 2+ it makes no sense for me.
Thanks

jay_s_uk

@Mosher I believe its January when the full production run of the mini5+ is undertaken

arielja

@dc42 I like this idea!

Currently working on an idex core-xy which would have 10 steppers, 4 for x,y, 2 extruders, 2 z-axis, and 2 additional for auto bed leveling (in a non-idex configuration this would be just one more motor than a railcore). Also I like the possibility of adding tool changing or multi-material in the future. For now I can just make it work with 2 3HC expansions. Still like this possibility.

dc42

The Mini2+ expansion board is now available from some of our resellers.

Connecting two Mini5+ boards together is implemented to some extent in firmware 3.3beta. Only some functions are implemented: remote drivers (but not some of the driver configuration commands), GpIn pins, GpOut pins, and some types of temperature sensor (thermistors, PT100, and probably thermocouples). Heaters, fans and filament monitors are not yet supported.

Niko.Hogh

why does the Mini 5 + use micro USB and not USB type C? Micro USB is quite an old connector, so I don't really understand?

dc42

The Mini 5+ is price-sensitive, and last time we looked, USB C connectors and cables were still expensive compared to Micro USB B. We have it on our list to review when the prices fall sufficiently.

zapta

I started recently using these $4 ARM F4 modules which come with a USB C connector and it's definitely an improvement.

https://github.com/WeActTC/MiniSTM32F4x1

Niko.Hogh

does the Laser Filament Monitor V2.0 and the Rotating Magnet Filament Monitor work with the Mini 5+? and which one is best?

Phaedrux

@Niko-Hogh Yes they both work. They each have pros and cons. Would need to do some research and see which may work best for you. The laser sensor can be sensitive to filament type, but there are mod options that use a rotating bearing as the sensed surface rather than the filament directly.

razrudy

Anyone know where we can get the expansion board in Uk please? None of the big reseller have this on stock , not even listed.

Phaedrux

@razrudy From what I understand there is more stock on the way

tenaja

@zapta said in Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options:

I started recently using these $4 ARM F4 modules which come with a USB C connector and it's definitely an improvement.

https://github.com/WeActTC/MiniSTM32F4x1

$4 is very expensive compared to a micro-USB socket... the prices of those are measured in nickels.

DIY-O-Sphere

@dc42 said in Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options:

we hope to provide the option of using a second Mini 5+ as an expansion board

Could it also be an option to use the Mini as an extension for a 6HC?
The reason I ask is that I assumed that pairing 2 minis would be the perfect solution for my new printer.
But currently I have the impression that the trent is going to larger motors for X and Y axis with a tool changer.
If I understand correctly, there will be no reasonable option for connecting external drivers on the Mini.

Phaedrux

@DIY-O-Sphere said in Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options:

Could it also be an option to use the Mini as an extension for a 6HC?

I think that's been hinted at but I don't think anything has been tested for certain yet.

dc42

@DIY-O-Sphere said in Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options:

Could it also be an option to use the Mini as an extension for a 6HC?

Yes there could be. It should work partially already in the latest source code, however we don't expect to make it fully working until release 3.4 at the earliest.

@DIY-O-Sphere said in Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options:

If I understand correctly, there will be no reasonable option for connecting external drivers on the Mini.

It would be possible to make a daughter board to connect two external drivers instead of the Mini2+ board, step and direction only (no enable signal).

DIY-O-Sphere

@dc42 said in Duet 3 Mini 5+ Future Expansion Options:

step and direction only

Thank you for the quick reply. I would prefer a spi solution....
I will start with 2 minis first. Until I have the machine mechanically ready there will be a solution with the 6HC. And I'll probably only need the large drivers if I want to print extremely fast. That is beyond my competence so far....