Cheetah MX4 Mini: A Compact Powerhouse for 3D Printer Control

Daily Technology

29/12/2025

A new contender has entered the 3D printing scene with the unveiling of the Cheetah MX4 Mini, a compact controller designed to streamline 3D printer operations. This pint-sized board aims to offer robust control in a small form factor, potentially appealing to makers and hobbyists looking for efficient and space-saving solutions.

Key Takeaways

The Cheetah MX4 Mini utilizes a processor similar to the V2 Smoothieboard's STM32H745, suggesting potential compatibility with V2 Smoothieware with modifications.
Concerns exist regarding the use of stepsticks versus integrated stepper drivers, with the latter being favored for reliability.
Areas for improvement include input/output buffering for probe and endstop inputs.
The design prioritizes a smaller footprint, potentially achievable through smaller components and double-sided board manufacturing.
While a promising start, the board requires further development and debugging.

A Closer Look at the Cheetah MX4 Mini

The Cheetah MX4 Mini is built around a processor that shares similarities with the STM32H745 found in the V2 Smoothieboard. This architectural choice hints at the possibility of running V2 Smoothieware, though it may necessitate the addition of a flash memory module and potential pinout adjustments. The development team behind the Cheetah MX4 Mini has aimed for rapid implementation, though feedback suggests that significant debugging will likely be required to iron out initial kinks.

Design Choices and Potential Improvements

A point of discussion surrounding the Cheetah MX4 Mini is its use of stepsticks for stepper motor control. While popular, the opinion is that a well-designed onboard stepper driver offers superior reliability. The board's compact size is achieved through smaller components and a double-sided PCB design, though this can impact ease of manufacturing. The V2 Smoothieboard, for comparison, is only slightly larger at 110x110mm but offers more GPIO pins, albeit at the cost of manufacturing simplicity.

Further enhancements could be made in the area of input/output buffering, particularly for critical functions like probe inputs and endstop signals. The schematic's use of hierarchical pages is noted as a positive step for organization, especially in dense designs.

The Road Ahead

Overall, the Cheetah MX4 Mini is recognized as a commendable initial effort, reminiscent of earlier RepRap boards. It represents a solid foundation, but the developers are encouraged to continue refining the design. It is anticipated that the project will receive numerous suggestions from the community as it progresses. The board is seen as a good start, but it is acknowledged that substantial work remains to be done before it reaches its full potential.

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