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dpCREATOR R3 controller

dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
dpCREATOR R3 controller
  • Stock: Coming soon
  • Model: DPC-R3
349.99€

Description

Coming soon. The R3 board is in preparation and will be made in batches. Orders are not open yet. To hear when they open, subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of this page or contact us.

A 4-axis CNC controller built around FluidNC, with wired Ethernet, the dpCREATOR WebUI included and a dedicated pendant port. Shipped flashed with the latest firmware and tested.

Try it first: the live demo runs the SmartTabUI pendant screen and the dpCREATOR WebUI in your browser. Jog with the handwheel, run a job and test the E-stop.
dpCREATOR WebUI included: the WebUI (€39 on its own) comes with this controller, for up to 2 boards on your account. You install it from the Flash Firmware page.

For any step/dir machine: CNC routers and mills, lasers, plotters and drag knives, and plasma tables. It also retrofits machines that already have drivers taking 5 V step and direction signals. See Machine types and retrofits.

The board, terminal by terminal

Tap a terminal to see what it does, the ESP32-S3 pin behind it and how to wire it.

A-AXIS
Z-AXIS
Y-AXIS
X-AXIS
PROBE
0–10V
PWM
4 Axis CNC ControllerdpCREATOR R3 · V4.0.3 · ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8
3.3 V → 5 V logic shift · FluidNC
24V
RELAY
UART-0
RS485
E-STOP
PENDANT
MEM
LAN
COM
Tap a terminal

Every axis block takes an external stepper driver; the rows above and below hold the inputs, outputs, buses and power.

Drawing of the V4.0.3 board, not to scale. The same pins are in the config the Flash Firmware page makes for you.

Specifications

Processor and firmware
ModuleESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8: dual-core 240 MHz, 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM
FirmwaredpCREATOR FluidNC (FluidNC 4.1.1 with job recovery, live Z adjust, W5500 Ethernet). Updates in the browser, free
Step generationRMT, straight from the ESP32-S3 pins
Motion
Axes4 (X, Y, Z, A), each on a 6-way terminal block for an external driver
Driver signalsSTEP and DIR at 5 V (level-shifted from 3.3 V); drivers stay enabled
Hardware enableE-STOP input: STEP and DIR are cut while its loop is open
Inputs and outputs
Limit inputs4, isolated, with their own isolated ground (LIMIT COM). Switches and NPN sensors
ProbeSeparate PROBE input
Spindle and laserPWM (5 kHz) or 0–10 V on one signal · on-board relay (NO / COM / NC) · RS485 Modbus for VFDs
ExpansionModbus I/O modules on RS485 · UART-0 reserved for GPIO expansion
Connections
NetworkW5500 wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi
USBNative USB of the ESP32-S3: flashing and console
StoragemicroSD, shared on the network as a drive
PendantPENDANT connector: UART1 at 1 Mbaud + 5 V, for the SmartTabUI pendant
Power
Supply24 V DC on the 24V terminal, integrated 5 V power module

Wiring the three things every machine has

X-AXISSTEP 5VDIR 5VGNDDriverPUL+DIR+PUL−DIR−ENA: open
Stepper driverSTEP 5V to PUL+, DIR 5V to DIR+, both minus inputs to GND. ENA stays unconnected. DM542, TB6600 and closed-loop drivers all take this.
X-AXISLIMITLIMIT COMswitchNPN blackNPN blue
Limit switch or NPN sensorA switch between LIMIT and LIMIT COM, nothing else. An NPN sensor: black to LIMIT, blue and its supply's − to LIMIT COM. PNP needs a converter.
E-STOPE_STOP+3.3VNC, closed
E-STOP loopA normally closed button between E_STOP and +3.3V. Pressed, it opens the loop and no step pulses leave the board. It doesn't replace the machine's own emergency-stop circuit.

Pin map and an example config

FunctionGPIONotes
X step / dir / limit4 / 5 / 47
Y step / dir / limit6 / 7 / 48
Z step / dir / limit15 / 16 / 45On the R2 the probe shares 45
A step / dir / limit17 / 18 / 38Rotary: steps per degree
Probe3
PWM / 0–10 V · relay21 · 39One signal for PWM and 0–10 V
RS485 TX / RX / DE42 / 41 / 40UART2, 9600 baud by default
Pendant TX / RX1 / 2UART1, 1,000,000 baud
SPI SCK / MOSI / MISO12 / 11 / 13SD card CS 10 · W5500 CS 14, INT 9
UART-0 TX / RX43 / 44Console, 115200 baud
Example config.yaml for a 3-axis router
# dpCREATOR R3 (V4.0.3): example config.yaml for a 3-axis router.
# Wiring: each axis terminal STEP 5V -> driver PUL+, DIR 5V -> DIR+, GND -> PUL- and DIR-, ENA unconnected.
# Limit switch between LIMIT and LIMIT COM. NC e-stop between E_STOP and +3.3V (no step pulses without it).
# Before homing, send ? and press each switch: Pn: shows X, Y or Z. If it shows without pressing, flip :low.
# Set steps_per_mm, speeds and travel for your machine. The Flash Firmware page builds this for you.
board: dpCREATOR R2/R3
name: dpcreator_r3_example
meta: ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8, FluidNC 4.1.1 + W5500

stepping:
  engine: RMT
  idle_ms: 250
  pulse_us: 3                  # DM542 needs >=2.5 us pulses
  dir_delay_us: 5              # DIR setup time
  disable_delay_us: 0

probe:
  pin: gpio.3:low
  check_mode_start: true

control:
  safety_door_pin: NO_PIN
  reset_pin: NO_PIN
  feed_hold_pin: NO_PIN
  cycle_start_pin: NO_PIN

axes:
  shared_stepper_disable_pin: gpio.8 # board enable line; the axis terminals have no ENA

  x:
    steps_per_mm: 80           # 20T pulley, 2 mm belt at 1/8 = 80
    soft_limits: true          # refuse moves outside the travel (needs homing)
    max_rate_mm_per_min: 3000
    acceleration_mm_per_sec2: 200
    max_travel_mm: 600
    homing:
      cycle: 2
      mpos_mm: 0               # switch position = machine 0, travel runs 0 to +600
      feed_mm_per_min: 200
      seek_mm_per_min: 2400
      settle_ms: 250
      positive_direction: false # switch at the left

    motor0:
      limit_all_pin: gpio.47:low
      hard_limits: true        # stop at once if a switch trips during motion
      pulloff_mm: 2
      standard_stepper:
        direction_pin: gpio.5
        step_pin: gpio.4

  y:
    steps_per_mm: 80           # 20T pulley, 2 mm belt at 1/8 = 80
    soft_limits: true          # refuse moves outside the travel (needs homing)
    max_rate_mm_per_min: 3000
    acceleration_mm_per_sec2: 200
    max_travel_mm: 400
    homing:
      cycle: 2
      mpos_mm: 0               # switch position = machine 0, travel runs 0 to +400
      feed_mm_per_min: 200
      seek_mm_per_min: 2400
      settle_ms: 250
      positive_direction: false # switch at the front

    motor0:
      limit_all_pin: gpio.48:low
      hard_limits: true        # stop at once if a switch trips during motion
      pulloff_mm: 2
      standard_stepper:
        direction_pin: gpio.7
        step_pin: gpio.6

  z:
    steps_per_mm: 400          # 2 mm lead at 1/4 = 400
    soft_limits: true          # refuse moves outside the travel (needs homing)
    max_rate_mm_per_min: 1000
    acceleration_mm_per_sec2: 100
    max_travel_mm: 100
    homing:
      cycle: 1
      mpos_mm: 0               # switch position = machine 0, travel runs 0 to -100
      feed_mm_per_min: 100
      seek_mm_per_min: 800
      settle_ms: 250
      positive_direction: true # switch at the top

    motor0:
      limit_all_pin: gpio.45:low
      hard_limits: true        # stop at once if a switch trips during motion
      pulloff_mm: 2
      standard_stepper:
        direction_pin: gpio.16
        step_pin: gpio.15

uart1:
  txd_pin: gpio.1
  rxd_pin: gpio.2
  rts_pin: NO_PIN
  cts_pin: NO_PIN
  baud: 1000000                # SmartTabUI pendant firmware runs at 1000000
  mode: 8N1

uart_channel1:
  uart_num: 1
  report_interval_ms: 75
  message_level: Info

spi:
  miso_pin: gpio.13
  mosi_pin: gpio.11
  sck_pin: gpio.12

sdcard:
  cs_pin: gpio.10
  card_detect_pin: NO_PIN
  frequency_hz: 4000000

ethernet:
  cs_pin: gpio.14
  int_pin: gpio.9
  rst_pin: NO_PIN
  phy_type: w5500
  phy_addr: 1
  frequency_hz: 8000000        # shared bus with the SD card

macros:
  startup_line0:
  startup_line1:
  macro0:
  macro1:
  macro2:
  macro3:

start:
  must_home: true

coolant:
  mist_pin: NO_PIN
  flood_pin: NO_PIN

PWM:
  pwm_hz: 5000
  output_pin: gpio.21
  enable_pin: NO_PIN
  direction_pin: NO_PIN
  disable_with_s0: false
  s0_with_disable: true
  spinup_ms: 3000
  spindown_ms: 3000
  tool_num: 0
  speed_map: 0=0.000% 24000=100.000%

The example passes the firmware's own settings check. Set steps/mm, speeds and travel for your machine before the first move.

How it compares

Three FluidNC boards a maker is likely to look at. The dpCREATOR firmware runs on all three.

dpCREATOR R3MKS DLC32 V2.16 Pack External
ChipESP32-S3, 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAMESP32 (WROOM-32)ESP32 on a plug-in DevKitC module
Axes436
Motor driversExternal, 5 V STEP / DIR on terminalsPlug-in driver modules on the boardExternal, 5 V signals
Step outputsStraight from the chip (RMT)Through an I2S shift registerThrough an I2S shift register
Limit inputs4, isolated36, opto-isolated
Wired EthernetYes, W5500No, Wi-FiNo, Wi-Fi
Spindle and VFDPWM, 0–10 V, relay and RS485 on the boardPWM, made for lasersPlug-in modules: 0–10 V, RS485, relay
Supply24 V12–24 V9–24 V
Pendant connector and E-STOP enableYesNoNo

Other boards: from their makers' pages and the FluidNC community config files, October 2026. Check the makers' pages for current details.

Documentation and files

Photos show the R2 controller. The R3 has the same layout and connectors.

Connections and wiring

dpCREATOR R2/R3 controller with every connector named: four axes with limits, probe, 0-10 V, PWM, 24 V, relay, UART-0, RS485, E-stop, pendant, microSD, LAN and USB

Wiring overview: motors and drivers, limit switches, probe, VFD over RS485 or 0-10 V, relay, E-stop, SmartTabUI pendant, 24 V supply, Ethernet and USB

Want the pendant too? The R3 + SmartTabUI combo saves €40.98.

Safety. Control electronics for installation in a machine by a competent machine builder. The pendant E-stop is not a safety-rated emergency stop: every machine needs its own emergency stop circuit that cuts power to the drives and the spindle, laser or torch. Supply the board only from a CE-marked DC power supply, as described in the manual; never connect it to mains voltage. Use it on your local network only. Not a toy; for adults. Do not dispose of with household waste: take it to an electronics collection point.
Security updates until at least 31 December 2031. No default passwords: you set your own at first use. Report a security problem to security@dpcreator.eu; see Security.

© 2026 DPCREATOR LIMITED · Registered in England and Wales, company number 17549892 · Registered office: Unit 12 Quayside, Littlehampton BN17 5SF, England