Three big reasons for a foam cutter: axis count, connectivity, and configuration. A 4-axis cutter needs four independent motors (X, Y, U, V); classic 8-bit GRBL is built around 3 axes and gets awkward past that, while FluidNC handles many axes natively. FluidNC also gives you Wi-Fi and a web UI plus USB, so https://cncfoam.com can stream over either, with no extra hardware.
Best of all, FluidNC is configured by editing a YAML file on the device — pins, steps/mm, currents, homing, TMC settings — with no toolchain or reflashing for each change. The ESP32 is faster and cheaper than an Uno too. For anything beyond a basic 2-axis bow, FluidNC is the easier, more capable choice.
Best of all, FluidNC is configured by editing a YAML file on the device — pins, steps/mm, currents, homing, TMC settings — with no toolchain or reflashing for each change. The ESP32 is faster and cheaper than an Uno too. For anything beyond a basic 2-axis bow, FluidNC is the easier, more capable choice.