2 layers31.3 × 24.4 mm
PowerDelivery
Firestorm108/Helix
A coil winder for tesla coils, flyback transformers, electromagnets, and more! Aims to remove the large time barrier in winding your own coils.
5 parts1
4 layers75 × 75 mm
Helix
Firestorm108/Helix1A coil winder for tesla coils, flyback transformers, electromagnets, and more! Aims to remove the large time barrier in winding your own coils.
- Size
- 75 × 75 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 63
- Nets
- 66
- Pads
- 247
- Tracks, vias
- 856, 361
- Pours
- 2
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
- Created
- 11 Jan 2026
- Updated
- 18 Aug 2026
Overview
Helix is an open-source printed circuit board by Firestorm108, from the Firestorm108/Helix repository on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board of 75 × 75 mm with 63 parts on 66 nets, routed with 856 tracks and 361 vias.
It is built around the RP2040 and TMC2209. Its parts include 23 capacitors, 15 resistors, 6 connectors, 5 ICs and 1 diode. It belongs with the RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
2README
README.mdHelix
An automatic coil winding machine for high voltage transformers, electromagnetics, motors, etc. The combination of the leadscrew controlled spool holder and aligning/tensioning system with the precise TMC2209 controlled stepper spinner ensures even winding across every layer. The device aims to reduce long hours spent hand winding crappy transformers so that prototyping is quick and efficient. The all-in-one control board has integrated stepper drivers and hooks up to the LCD/rotary encoder based control panel. It is easily reprogrammable with USB-C. With a small <75mmx75mm footprint, it fits nicely into the enclosure.
Demo Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/A1r3ZOApkCI?si=vdlbSpJHiryxB_zt
Main Features
- Automatic alignment
- Software defined sensing
- High speeds and precision
- Easy reprogrammability + control panel
- Small, portable design
- Custom control board
- Anti-overlap protection
Pictures
Helix BOM
*You can find the spreadsheet version here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YcLF46WpMoUjMdwvhuiZ--BbrOf5m03kofhXg6CQ6rc/edit?usp=sharing
Electronics
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| JLCPCB + Assembly (2 PCBs) | $80 |
| Pin Headers | $3.00 |
| 2x1 Screw Terminals | $3 |
| DC Barrel Jack | $2 |
| White LCD w/ I2C | $4 |
| Rotary Encoder | $4 |
| 3× TMC2209 Drivers | $9 |
| 2× Stepper Motors | $12 |
| 24V 5A Power Supply | $13 |
| USB-C Power Transfer Board | $2 |
| LM7805 Voltage Regulator | $2 |
| Backup Devboard (in case of PCB failure) | $3 |
| Backup 5V Regulator (in case of PCB failure) | $3 |
| 330µF 35V Capacitor | $3 |
| Jumpers | $4 |
Hardware
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| M3 Standoffs (10 mm) | $2 |
| M2 Standoffs (6 mm) | $2 |
| 8 mm M3 Screws | $1 |
| 8 mm M2 Screws | $1 |
| TO-220 Heatsink | $2 |
| 300 mm 2020 Aluminum Extrusions | $14 |
| 150 mm 2020 Aluminum Extrusions | $19 |
| Corner Brackets | $20 |
| 5 mm → 8 mm Couplers (2×) | $5 |
| 250 mm 8 mm Rod | $5 |
| 608 Bearings | $7 |
| 250 mm T8 (2 mm Lead) Leadscrew w/ Nut | $9 |
| M5 20 mm Thumbscrew | $3 |
| 1 mm × 8 mm Spring | $4 |
Cost Summary
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electronics | $147 |
| Hardware | $94 |
| Total | $241 |
Parts
63| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 0.1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C11, C12, C17, C18, C20, C22, C23 |
| 7 | TestPoint | TestPoint:TestPoint_Plated_Hole_D2.0mm | A0, A1, A2, A3, GP23, GP24, GP25 |
| 6 | 10K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R15 |
| 4 | MountingHole | MountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3 | H1, H2, H3, H4 |
| 3 | 1K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R5, R6, R14 |
| 2 | 10uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C13, C14 |
| 2 | 1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C1, C10 |
| 2 | 27 | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R3, R4 |
| 2 | 330uF | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D10.0mm_P5.00mm | C19, C21 |
| 2 | 33pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C15, C16 |
| 2 | 4.7K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R12, R13 |
| 2 | 5.1K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R1, R2 |
| 2 | TMC2209 | TMC2209_SILENTSTEPSTICKFOOT:MODULE_TMC2209_SILENTSTEPSTICK | U4, U5 |
| 1 | 12MHz | Crystal:Crystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm | Y1 |
| 1 | LCD I2C | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J2 |
| 1 | LED | LED_SMD:LED_0402_1005Metric | D1 |
| 1 | NCP1117-1.5_SOT223 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-223-3_TabPin2 | U6 |
| 1 | POWER | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J4 |
| 1 | RP2040 | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-56-1EP_7x7mm_P0.4mm_EP3.2x3.2mm | U1 |
| 1 | Rotary Encoder | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x05_P2.54mm_Vertical | J7 |
| 1 | SW_Push | Button_Switch_SMD:SW_Push_SPST_NO_Alps_SKRK | SW1 |
| 1 | USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0_14P | Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_HRO_TYPE-C-31-M-12 | J1 |
| 1 | W25Q16JVZPIQ TR | Package_SON:Winbond_USON-8-1EP_3x2mm_P0.5mm_EP0.2x1.6mm | U2 |
| 1 | X_4_Headers | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | Z_4_Headers | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J5 |
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Questions
How big is the Helix PCB?
It measures 75 × 75 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Helix use?
63 parts, built around the RP2040 and TMC2209. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Helix KiCad files?
From the Firestorm108/Helix repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCBs/Helix.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCBs/Helix.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Helix design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask Firestorm108 before reusing the design.