Can an ACORN be used as a retrofit to a PROLIGHT 1000?

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martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
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Re: Can an ACORN be used as a retrofit to a PROLIGHT 1000?

Post by martyscncgarage »

DICKEYBIRD wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:54 am
martyscncgarage wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:05 am Do you have someone that could help if needed?
He's got you & Gary...who else does he need? :lol:
You can run over and help him.... :D
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
JD2
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Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 1:58 pm
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Re: Can an ACORN be used as a retrofit to a PROLIGHT 1000?

Post by JD2 »

I took these pictures a bit ago but haven't had time to upload them. I'm comfortable with electronics (I have a multimeter and have built DIY loudspeakers and amplifiers). I haven't done any control systems like this but would try it after leaning on the forum a bunch.

The setup I would like to try this out on is up and running so I'm very hestiant to do any change but if i can spec out the necessary items it would help.

Schematic or block diagram: Are the major components of the CNC system as follows: PC-ACORN-cables to 3 motors for x,y, and z and spindle-physical mounting of x,y, and z and spindle



I'm not sure of the wires to the motor. There are 7 pins used in the 8 pin connector.
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martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:01 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: Yes
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: Yes
CPU10 or CPU7: Yes
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Can an ACORN be used as a retrofit to a PROLIGHT 1000?

Post by martyscncgarage »

You need:
Acorn
PC meeting the CNC 12 System requirements
Touchscreen monitor (highly desireable) Wide aspect ratio
You need to locate wiring connection for those stepper motors OR replace them with new ones.
3-4 Axis Stepper Driver (Geckodrive G540? Leadshine?)
Stepper Power Supply (48VDC?)
Spindle Drive compatible with your spindle motor

If it were me, I would probably go with closed loop steppers, which would include the stepper driver and motors with encoders.
Also being the hack that I am, I would try and ferret out the step and direction signal on the existing stepper drivers and wire Acorn to each one....then its simply a matter of installing Acorn and wiring its outputs to the existing stepper drivers...if that's possible. There all sorts of possibilities/combinations.

Marty
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
Grifftek
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Location: SoCal
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Re: Can an ACORN be used as a retrofit to a PROLIGHT 1000?

Post by Grifftek »

HI

I have retrofitted a TMC 1000 2 different times (same machine) and we have just ordered 5 acorns and Pro software and this machine will soon be getting its acorn!

I reused the original superior electric motors and they are great! Unless you want the advantages of a closed loop hybrid setup, those motors will work just fine assuming they are in good condition.

If it were me, I'd use either the G540 gecko drive or the Leadshine MX 4660, You will end up with a control that will be much nicer than the original and will surely outperform the original control!

You can see the first retrofit of the TMC1000 machine here:
http://www.grifftek.com/grifftek/Custom ... _Retrofit/

Have not taken any photos of the current setup (g540 and Mach3) as this retrofit was not performed by me.

Regards
Bill Griffin
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