Motion controllers
Every system the engine quotes ships with a controller sized to it: the BLC series (2, 4, and 6 axes, stepper or servo) for integrated builds, or the DTC-1000 desktop controller when you want a boxed unit with its own supply. The engine picks the controller from the axis count and motor type, and the motion program you build in the sequence editor runs on it unchanged.
The BLC-T models (BLC-2T $795, BLC-4T $1,295, BLC-6T $1,595) drive stepper motors at 24 V; the BLC-TC models (BLC-2TC $695, BLC-4TC $1,195) drive servo motors at 48 V. All use pulse/direction output, program through the Snap2Motion software, and daisy-chain over RS-232 so a 6-axis cell can be split across units. The four- and six-axis models support paired axes — two motors driven in lockstep from one command — which is what makes a dual-drive XX'Y gantry run as a single axis.
Which controller the engine selects
| System | Stepper | Servo |
|---|---|---|
| Single axis or XY | BLC-2T | BLC-2TC |
| XYZ, XX'Y gantry, XY + LRA | BLC-4T | BLC-4TC |
| XX'YZ, XX'YZZ, XYZ + rotary + tool | BLC-6T, or two daisy-chained BLC-4T | Two BLC-4TC daisy-chained |
| Bench or lab desktop | DTC-1000 (2 or 4 axes, integrated enclosure and supply) | |
From the sequence editor to the controller
The engine's sequence editor builds a motion program as timed blocks — moves, dwells, I/O, pipetting steps from the Assay Designer — and simulates it against the 3D assembly so the cycle time on screen matches the controller clock. The same program exports as Python, G-code, or C++ for integration, and the Snap2Motion project file loads directly on the BLC. Wiring ($550 per axis) and first-hour-free software support are quoted alongside.
All 7 motion controllers
| Controller | Axes | Motor type | Paired axes | List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLC-2TC 2-Axis Servo Motion Controller | 2 | servo | — | $695 |
| BLC-2T 2-Axis Stepper Motion Controller | 2 | stepper | — | $795 |
| DTC-1000 2-Axis Desktop Motion Controller | 2 | stepper/servo | — | $1,895 |
| BLC-4TC 4-Axis Servo Motion Controller | 4 | servo | Yes | $1,195 |
| BLC-4T 4-Axis Stepper Motion Controller | 4 | stepper | Yes | $1,295 |
| DTC-1000 4-Axis Desktop Motion Controller | 4 | stepper/servo | — | $2,395 |
| BLC-6T 6-Axis Stepper Motion Controller | 6 | stepper | Yes | $1,595 |
Not sure which one?
Describe the task — payload, travel, speed, orientation. The engine picks the family and the variant, shows the torque and inertia math, and prices the whole system.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between BLC-4T and BLC-4TC?
The BLC-4T drives four stepper axes (24 V, pulse/dir); the BLC-4TC drives four servo axes (48 V). Both support paired-axis synchronization for gantries and program through Snap2Motion.
Can I synchronize two motors on one axis?
Yes — the 4- and 6-axis BLC models support paired axes, so a dual-drive X or Y runs as one logical axis with both motors in lockstep. The engine selects this automatically for XX'Y gantries.
Does the controller run the program from the engine's sequence editor?
Yes. The sequence you build and simulate in the engine is the program that runs on the controller; it also exports to Python, G-code, and C++.
What is the MMC controller?
MMC is the earlier ModuSystems controller generation; the BLC series replaces it with the same pulse/direction architecture, Snap2Motion software, and higher axis counts. Existing MMC programs migrate with support.