E1703C 5-Axis Modular CNC Controller

Beside different scanner controller cards BeamConstruct also supports CNC-style operations which do not make use of a galvanometer scanhead but of motion axes that typically move a laser head or a milling tool. Such motion axes can be controlled with the E1703C CNC controller card. It is a low-cost but high-performance CNC controller with one of the the smallest ground-sizes out there and it is the only one which can be extended by additional boards* providing different signals and outputs for specific laser types or other additional equipment. Using these optional boards it is not necessary to buy one fully featured card and to pay for functions that are not needed. So via its extension boards only these functions and I/Os can be added, that are really required.

These extension boards are plugged onto the baseboard. Several of them can be combined freely according to required functionality.

E1703C is a 5-Axis CNC controller card which can be extended by options described below and provides following features:

  • 2D and 3D CNC operations, up to 5 axes at maximum
  • Step- and direction outputs for usage with standard NEMA stepper motors and -drivers
  • Stepper-motors with integrated encoder and closed control loop can be used
  • Up to 350 kHz step frequency
  • Full control via USB-C or Ethernet connection
  • Galvanically insulated inputs for reference/home position switches
  • Can control nearly every laser type (this may require extension boards as described below)
  • Two laser CMOS level digital outputs for usage with YAG, CO2, IPG™ and compatible laser types (outputs can provide PWM frequency, Q-Switch, FPK-pulse, continuously running frequency, stand-by frequency), running with frequencies up to 20 MHz
  • Support for Micro-SD and Micro-SDHC cards
  • Can be (optionally) operated without SD-card by storing firmware and configuration on-board
  • Continuous list concept, no need to swap between lists
  • BeamConstruct PRO license included
  • Very small size of about 87 mm x 55 mm
  • Hardware/firmware is quality made in EU/Germany

LP8 Extension Board requires E1703C baseboard as described above and provides additional signals for controlling lasers and external
equipment. It offers following features and functions:

  • LP8 8 bit CMOS level parallel digital output e.g. for controlling laser power
  • LP8 latch CMOS level digital output for usage with IPG™, Raycus™ and compatible fiber laser types
  • Main Oscillator CMOS level digital output for usage with IPG™, Raycus™ and compatible laser types
  • 8 bit 0..5V analogue output e.g. for controlling laser power
  • Two laser CMOS level digital outputs for usage with YAG, CO2, IPG™ and compatible laser types (outputs can provide PWM frequency, Q-Switch, FPK-pulse, continuously running frequency, stand-by frequency), running with frequencies up to 20 MHz

Digi I/O Extension Board requires a baseboard as described above and provides additional I/Os for controlling external equipment. It offers following features and functions:

  • 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs can be switched to opto-insulated mode with
    external power supply of up to 24 V
  • 2 inputs can be used for 90 degree phase-shifted encoder signal

The optional E170Xbase Mounting Kit allows faster and easier mechanical installation of all types of E1703 controller boards:

  • Comes with DIN rail / C45 clamps which can be installed in 2 different positions combined with 2 different orientations resulting in 4 different mounting variants
  • E1703C can be mounted on top of E170Xbase with distance bolts or hex-stands using premanufactured mounting holes
  • Can be used also without DIN rail / C45 clamps for custom mounting in machines and as top-cover for E1703

Resources

E1703C English manual containing hardware description for base- and all available extensionboards as well as programming interface specification:
📑 PDF document
📄 Online manual


E1703C 3D CAD model in STP format:
🧊 e1703c.stp


Development files (Windows and Linux, no driver required for Linux):
⚙ GIT Repository

* As per 02/2026 we do not know of any other CNC controller card that is fully modular and comes with a smaller size for such a low price.

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E1703™ hardware and design is © by HALaser Systems GmbH