Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

I took it upon myself to create a very basic video series on Acorn.
Hopefully it will help those new to the DIY CNC Hobby and Acorn and even those who have basic CNC control experience but might be getting started with Acorn. I rigged up a linear slide I had with a stepper motor with a 12 tooth timing pulley, a ballscrew with a 24 tooth timing pulley, and a home/limit switch. I will go over as much as I can from the very start to finish.

If there is something you would like to see or an explanation on, I will certainly try to add to the video series if I have the resources to do it.

I'm doing this to the best of my personal ability. Double check things, research, ask questions, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)
Your machine and your safety are up to you.

Marty

Centroid Acorn CNC Basics - Intro, Configuring WIndows 10 for CNC12 Software, Installing the Acorn CNC12 Software, wiring to the power supply, and power up.

https://youtu.be/6qvD5GuJUxI

2 Centroid Acorn CNC Basics - Win 10 PC Setup and benchtest
https://youtu.be/7ExYAjItzC0

3 Centroid Acorn Basics - N.O. vs. N.C. Switches & E-stop Contacts
https://youtu.be/j3VPnozuuug

This jumps ahead a bit but goes over adding an NPN 6 Channel 24VDC Relay output board to Acorn's 6 outputs without relays.
I also discuss using one of the relays on the board to control a MUCH larger relay, like a very large dust collector or vacuum table. Anything over the relay's 10Amp contact rating. Basically use the relay to control a large contactor coil.

Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/tc8MYGzEFAY

While I tested an inexpensve Chinese "OMRON" Encoder copy, this video does demonstrate setting up an encoder in the Wizard properly.
What to do if your spindle is turing one direction but your encoder says its going in reverse.
Note, its not a good idea to spin an encoder with a drill motor as I do, and this particular encoder needs to be attached to a jackshaft with a flexible coupler, supported on both ends with a bearing. The jackshaft can carry the timing pulley belted at 1:1.

On with the "Show"
https://youtu.be/S5kC3wLeNCs

Component Overview
https://youtu.be/IacD-2KTmBw

If you "Bricked" your Acorn, that is, the power led is steady (Left of the Ethernet port) but you have no 1 pulse per second heart beat LED (To the right of the Ethernet port) then this video is for you.


https://youtu.be/x7Wk6ocPfwY

Video 5 - Erase Board Exercise:
https://youtu.be/JjKDrwg3IF4

Video 6 - Wiring up a Single Axis to Acorn on the bench
https://youtu.be/pKLCe8DEhTo