2 layers100 × 99.8 mm
4 layers108.4 × 94 mm
Compact stepper controller
eli3162/diw_printer3Direct ink Writing(DIW) is a technology that enables 3d printers to print many gels, solvents, and other liquids instead of normal plastic filaments. Many printers that have this function can cost from $2,000 up to $20,000, so the goal of this project is to make a low-cost, DIY DIW printer.
- Size
- 108.4 × 94 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 44
- Nets
- 80
- Pads
- 274
- Tracks, vias
- 634, 3
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 30 Jul 2026
- Updated
- 7 Nov 2026
Overview
Compact stepper controller is an open-source printed circuit board by eli3162, from the eli3162/diw_printer repository on GitHub, published under the GPL-3.0 licence. It is a 4-layer board of 108.4 × 94 mm with 44 parts on 80 nets, routed with 634 tracks and 3 vias.
It is built around the DRV8825PWP. Its parts include 17 connectors, 8 capacitors and 8 switches. It belongs with the robots and motor control boards and the RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
1README
README.mdCustom DIW Printer
Direct ink Writing(DIW) is a technology that enables 3d printers to print many gels, solvents, and other liquids instead of normal plastic filaments. Many printers that have this function can cost from $2,000 up to $20,000, so the goal of this project is to make a low-cost, DIY DIW printer.
For more information about the software, go here
For more information about the circuit board, go here
For a digital view of the circuit board, go here
Parts
44| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 100µf | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D6.3mm_P2.50mm | C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 |
| 6 | 1x4 Pin | Connector_JST:JST_EH_B4B-EH-A_1x04_P2.50mm_Vertical | J2, J3, J4, J5, J9, J11 |
| 6 | DRV8825 | Module:Pololu_Breakout-16_15.2x20.3mm | A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 |
| 6 | Screw Terminal | TerminalBlock_MetzConnect:TerminalBlock_MetzConnect_Type101_RT01602HBWC_1x02_P5.08mm_Horizontal | J1, J12, J13, J14, J16, J17 |
| 4 | 1x2 Pin | Connector_JST:JST_EH_B2B-EH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_Vertical | J6, J7, J8, J10 |
| 4 | Switch | TerminalBlock_MetzConnect:TerminalBlock_MetzConnect_Type073_RT02603HBLU_1x03_P5.08mm_Horizontal | SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 |
| 4 | Switch | Button_Switch_THT:SW_CK_JS202011AQN_DPDT_Angled | SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8 |
| 1 | Conn_01x06_Pin | Connector_Molex:Molex_KK-254_AE-6410-06A_1x06_P2.54mm_Vertical | J15 |
| 1 | Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W | Module:RaspberryPi_Pico_Common_THT | Raspberry Pi Pico |
The 40 most common of 44 parts.
Questions
How big is the Compact stepper controller PCB?
It measures 108.4 × 94 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Compact stepper controller use?
44 parts, built around the DRV8825PWP. 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 Compact stepper controller KiCad files?
From the eli3162/diw_printer repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/compact_stepper_controller/compact_stepper_controller.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/compact_stepper_controller/compact_stepper_controller.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Compact stepper controller design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the GPL-3.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).
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