TF Node Controller
A Joule-heating smart controller for Nitinol, ThermoFlex™, and other artificial muscles—built for high-current actuation, real-time sensing, and expandable control.
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A Joule-heating smart controller for Nitinol, ThermoFlex™, and other artificial muscles—built for high-current actuation, real-time sensing, and expandable control.
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Pronunciation: THER-moh-fleks nohd kun-TROH-lur
Also visit our to see what's possible with the ThermoFlex™ kit and accompanying .
The ThermoFlex™ Node is your desktop control lab for smart materials. Originally built for shape memory alloys like Nitinol, it also supports experimental actuators like twisted polymer (TCP) muscles and other Joule-heated materials (experimental, reach out for more information).
From muscle contraction to shape-setting, this board gives you tight control over current, temperature, and timing—all from a USB-C cable or CAN network. Use it to experiment, automate, prototype, or break stuff (in a controlled, data-driven way).
Input Voltage
0 V
40 V
Input Current
TBD
65 A continuous
Output Current (Shared across M1 + M2)
0 A
60 A continuous
Output Current (Instantaneous Total)
0 A
110 A
PWM Frequency
—
100 Hz
Resistance Measurement
100 mΩ
5.00 Ω
The controller measures current, voltage, and resistance, allowing it to estimate wire temperature and (experimentally) detect SMA phase changes.
Everything you need for smart material actuation in one dense, overengineered package:
Arduino R4 Minima (included) – custom firmware, programable if needed
XT60 Male Input – for clean, high-current power
2× XT60 Female Outputs – labeled M1, M2 (shared 60 A total)
2× JST Sensor Ports – connect thermistors, strain gauges, etc.
USB-C – serial + power + firmware flashing
CAN Bus (JST) – control up to 127 devices from a single USB
Integrated cooling fan – powered from XT60 IN
Passthrough Arduino headers – analog + digital IO, accessible for debugging/expansion
RGB LED – used for device status signals
AUX Button – reprogrammable for reset, trigger, or anything else
DC jack (Arduino) – optional secondary power for Arduino MCU only
Sick AF 3D-Printed Enclosure – with frosted acrylic top, compliant buttons, visible status and power terminals (and yes, that's the official name)
Power the board via XT60 IN (12–24 V recommended)
Connect actuators to XT60 OUT ports (M1, M2)
Plug in USB-C for serial control or firmware flashing
Add sensors via JST ports if you want extra data
Use CAN JST ports to daisy-chain multiple controllers (if needed)
This isn’t just a current dumper—it’s a feedback-rich control system.
Resistance Sensing → Detects SMA activation, cool-down, or failure
Current + Voltage Monitoring → For safety and thermal estimation
PWM Output → Adjustable control over heating curve
CAN + Serial Communication → Control locally or over networks
Programmable LED + Button → Customize interface or system states
Experimental Features → Phase-state detection, live temperature inference, auto-profiling (in dev)
If you're using this for non-SMA materials (like TCP), shoot us a message. We'll help you tune it.
This board has an integrated fan, but the thermal load depends heavily on your use case:
<20 A, short duty cycles (normal operation)
Passive airflow sufficient
20–40 A continuous
Internal fan helps, monitor temps
40–60 A or shape-setting
Caution: airflow may not be enough—use external fan, monitor MOSFET temps closely
Shape-setting heats things up fast. We’re still testing long-session limits—if you're running extended training cycles, keep an eye on the heat and let things cool between rounds.
If you are only using the controller to power ThermoFlex muscles normally with the Python API, do not worry about this section.
Use XT60s or heavy-gauge wires (AWG 12 recommended)
Solder wires to high-current pads
Keep power and actuator wiring short + clean
Use jumper wires for >5 A loads
Monitor resistance + current in software
Assume constant load behavior
Actively cool during shape-setting
Expect the fan alone to handle extreme temps
Under the hood: it's a powerful Arduino shield—with extra brains.
USB-C Python Serial/CAN API (command/control/monitor)
CAN Bus for scalable setups
All Arduino pins are accessible for all your hacking needs
Future Features (in dev):
Live plotting via Delta Client
Auto actuator type detection
Thermal feedback loops
Want to contribute or experiment? We’d love to see what you build with it.
Need deeper specs or edge-case testing? , our ThermoFlex Node Controller mastermind. (Warning, bright lights WILL scare him)
Also see the for more information on setup.
