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Introducing the E5X MCS T4.1 

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The E5X MCS T4.1 is Maker Store’s most recommended CNC Controller for all CNC enthusiasts. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, E5X MCS is the right choice for your application.

The E5X MCS T4.1 is an Ethernet-controlled 5-axis Motion Control System based on Teensy 4.1 that has been designed in Australia.

It is an easy-to-use and powerful CNC motion control system capable of controlling 5-axis CNC machines. As CNC machines evolve, there is a great demand for high-performance CNC controllers such as the E5X MCS.

The E5X is a powerful 32-bit CNC controller, running on grblHAL firmware which is fast becoming the firmware of choice for CNC control due to increased functionality and added features, far superseding the current 8-bit CNC controllers running on the standard grbl or grbl esp32. Depending on the user’s requirements, E5X MCS can be connected via a USB or ethernet interface.

The layout of E5X MCS has been designed for ease of use and practicality in mind with inputs and outputs easily accessible via secure and pluggable connectors. The E5X MCS is pre-configured and is ready to use right out of the box.

The E5X MCS T4.1 provides a full 5-axis, plus an independent clone axis control!

It can be used for any of the following:

• CNC Machines
• Laser Cutters/Engravers
• Laser Etching
• Robotics
• Actuators
• Pick and Place Machines and much more​

High-performance 32-bit controller powered by ARM Cortex-M7 processor @ 600 MHz.
	Closed Loop Stepper Motor/Servo Alarm Inputs.
Ethernet or USB connectivity.
	5V PWM Laser compatible.
0-10V or 4-20mA Spindle Speed Control.

Product Specifications

The E5X MCS T4.1 is the leading edge of the grblHAL controllers featuring a High-Performance 32-bit controller powered by ARM Cortex-M7 processor @ 600 MHz

Microcontroller:

• High-Performance 32-bit controller powered by ARM Cortex-M7 processor @ 600 MHz
• Multiple interfaces for plug-and-play capability
• Ethernet support
• SD Card support

Outputs:

• Full 5 Axis control outputs plus an independent slave axis port
• 24V Outputs – Spindle, Mist Coolant, Flood Coolant, Dust Extraction
• 3 x 24V Auxiliary outputs controlled by additional M-codes
• External stepper motor driver support for Open loop/Closed Loop Stepper motor
• External motor driver support for Servo motors
• 0-10V or 4-20mA Spindle Control outputs
• 5V PWM  output
• Independent stepper motor/servo enable signal for each axis
• Rotary Axis output

Inputs:

• Closed Loop Stepper Motor/Servo Alarm Inputs
• Opto-isolated inputs for DOOR/PROBE/HOLD/START/E-STOP input signals
• Opto-isolated inputs for all limit switch input signals (Mechanical and Inductive limit switch compatible)
• 4x Auxiliary Digital inputs with Schmitt trigger buffer

Protections:

• Reverse polarity protection
• Short circuit protection

Connectivity:

• SD Card
• Ethernet
• USB

Firmware/Software Compatibility:

• Supports grblHAL firmware
• Supports ioSender software

Mechanical:

• All round pluggable screw terminal connectors for I/O
• Dimensions (229x 132 x 32mm)
• Easy mounting to extrusion

grblHAL, The future of grbl!

The E5X MCS T4.1 uses the advanced grblHAL firmware because of the several benefits it offers.

grblHAL is an advanced open-source firmware used for CNC control and is an upgraded version of grbl that is designed for the more powerful 32-bit processors. The architecture of grblHAL consists of a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) that completely separates the core grbl code from the processor/hardware-specific code (driver code), enabling users to write additional drivers relatively easily. Moreover, the HAL offers optional function pointer entries (hooks) that enable the driver to modify settings, add M-codes specific to the driver, expand the real-time report, add real-time processing, etc. Once more, this does not require any changes to the core. As a result of these benefits, grblHAL outclasses conventional grbl firmware.

Teensy 4.1 Microcontroller

The E5X MCS T4.1 is based on the Teensy 4.1 microcontroller which is currently the most powerful microcontroller in its class.

The Teensy 4.1 is the most recent version of the wildly successful Teensy® development platform that features an ARM Cortex-M7 processor running at 600MHz, an NXP iMXRT1062 chip, four times more flash memory than the 4.0, and two locations where memory can be expanded depending on project requirements. Similar in size and form to the Teensy 3.6 (2.4 x 0.7 inches), the Teensy 4.1 offers more I/O options, such as an Ethernet PHY, SD card socket, and USB host port. The ARM Cortex-M7 brings many powerful CPU features to a true real-time microcontroller platform. CPU performance is many times faster than typical 32-bit microcontrollers typically used with grbl firmware.

As can be seen in the image below, the CoreMark (CPU Performance Benchmark) of Teensy 4.1 is significantly higher than other microcontrollers. This benchmark measures the number for times per second a processor can perform a variety of common tasks such as: linked list management, matrix multiply, and executing state machines.

Cortex-M7 is a dual-issue superscalar processor, it can run two instructions at a speed of 600 MHz each clock cycle. When running at 600 MHz, Teensy 4.1 consumes approximately 100 mA current. Reducing CPU speed to 528 MHz or lower reduces power consumption.

Software

ioSender is a powerful gcode sender developed for grblHAL and used for CNC control. Its feature-rich and easy-to-use interface makes it an ideal CNC gcode sender. This software is recommended for use with E5X MCS to get the full functionality of the controller.

Features include but are not limited to:

• Auto-levelling
• Multiple probing techniques (edge finding, semi-automatic tool changes, circular probing)
• Job framing
• Ethernet Connectivity (supported controllers only)
• Camera interface
• Input diagnostics (limit switches, input control signals)
• Machine and spindle speed override

Compatible Operating System

Windows 10/11 computers are recommended for the E5X MCS T4.1 controller with the recommended ioSender software.

Support for MAC/Linux is not yet available for ioSender.

What’s included

• • Fully assembled E5X MCS T4.1 Controller
  • Pluggable connectors

Datasheet

Credits:

• PJRC(Teensy) – https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/
• grblHAL Core- https://github.com/grblHAL/core/graphs/contributors
• grblHAL iMXRT1062 Fork – https://github.com/grblHAL/iMXRT1062/graphs/contributors
• ioSender – https://github.com/terjeio
• Maker Store Community for the constant feedback and suggestions, which helps us improve our products and innovate new solutions.