POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

All things related to the Centroid Acorn CNC Controller

Moderator: cnckeith

Charlie.G
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:46 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 38D2693D0BD1-0105180478MPU12
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Charlie.G »

I have a few questions I know that some of this is simple for most of you but I have a hard time
with some of it. I have my acorn installed and configured, the spindle working, the xkeys jog pendant
working, I downloaded the z touch off plate configuration for the router that diy-scott posted.
but I don't know how to run it, this might be pure ignorance on my part but with mach3 I would select
my zero z jog over to the part put the touch off plate on the part and execute the macro.
if this is how it works with the acorn I don't know how to access the macro, but from watching the videos
it appears that this is part of the g-code so I don't know if I need a different post processor to call out the correct
codes for this or what.
I ran the post processor I was using for mach 3 and centroid ran it but I noticed some differences, with mach there was a pause to
let the spindle get up to speed before it would start the file etc.
so what I am asking is is there an optimal post processor, and cam software to use for this and some where I can find more info on how to
set it up correctly, I did this quite a few years ago with mach3 but I never had to deal with it again so I didn't have to think about it, it
just worked.
I am currently using artcam 2008 for my current post processor.
thank you,
Charlie
Gary Campbell
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:32 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn 238
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Marquette, MI
Contact:

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Gary Campbell »

Charlie...
First the touch off plate: The instruction for installing it is in the first post, with some follow-up info in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1493

There are 3 versions that use 3 methods to set the Z. Look them over and read the header of the macros to select the one that matches most closely what you wish to do. That file will be saved as mfunc6.mac. If you have been using tool numbers in your design, the macro will run and prompt you to install a tool and then it will be zeroed.

If you have been using a screen button to zero the bit prior to the file running, go here: http://www.centroidcnc.com/cnc_techbulletin.html
Download and save Tech Bulletin #300 it has detailed info on how to get the macro you will save as mfunc6.mac into the cnct folder and an Aux button assigned to it.

You should be using a post processor with "Centroid" in the name. These can be found from the drop list when you save your toolpaths as cut (txt, tap, cnc, nc, etc.) files

ArtCam is your CAD/CAM (design) software, the post processor is a set of instructions (within ArtCAM) to tell the CAM portion the proper output for Centroid machines.
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
Charlie.G
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:46 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 38D2693D0BD1-0105180478MPU12
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Charlie.G »

Gary,
thank you for the info.
the version of artcam I have does not output a file type with centroid in the file name.

If you have been using a screen button to zero the bit prior to the file running, go here: http://www.centroidcnc.com/cnc_techbulletin.html
Download and save Tech Bulletin #300 it has detailed info on how to get the macro you will save as mfunc6.mac into the cnct folder and an Aux button assigned to it.

I read this and set it up as mfunc76.mac to use aux button 9 I think it was and when I press the button I would get an error something to the effect it couldn't be found or executed.
I will go to the shop tomorrow and get the exact error, and a report and post that.
is there more info on the intercon cam software??
I seen it was like 99.00 if that is set up and ready to go might be the best way to run??
thank you ,
Charlie
Gary Campbell
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:32 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn 238
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Marquette, MI
Contact:

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Gary Campbell »

Charlie...
I will check tomorrow, or maybe one of the techs will verify, but the free version does not support tool change.

Did you set the aux button parm as per the TB300?

Check with your reseller for a Centroid post processor.
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
Charlie.G
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:46 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 38D2693D0BD1-0105180478MPU12
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Charlie.G »

Gary,
I am running the pro version.
so the tool change shouldn't be an issue.
I believe I did the button correctly I am going to the shop in a bit
and check out how I set it up and make sure.
as far as the artcam I don't know if I can update it
a friend gave me the program so I will need to check and see.

thank you,
Charlie
Gary Campbell
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:32 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn 238
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Marquette, MI
Contact:

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Gary Campbell »

Charlie...
Parms 188 thru 199 are assigned to aux keys 1 thru 12. For example if you want M76 (mfunc76.mac) on aux button 9 then parm 196 must be "7611"

TB 300 has a chart and instructions
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
Charlie.G
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:46 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 38D2693D0BD1-0105180478MPU12
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Charlie.G »

Gary,
when I push button 9
the message on the screen says : 913 could not open file mfunc76.mac
I used the file scott made called mfunc6.mac and renamed it mfunc76.mac
put the info for button 9 (parameter 196 ) to 7611
attached is the report file.

I went over what I did again today all seems to be correct as far as I can tell.

thank you,
Charlie
Attachments
report_38D2693D0BD1-0105180478_2018-02-22_12-13-29.zip
(166.44 KiB) Downloaded 114 times
diycncscott

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by diycncscott »

Your mfunc76.mac is actually named mfunc76.mac.mac For the life of me I'll never understand why Windows defaults to NOT show file extensions. Only BAD things can happen by hiding file extensions. Rename your file to mfunc76.mac

ex: mytextfile.txt could easily be mytextfile.txt.exe a user runs mytextfile.txt expecting it to open in notepad but instead it formats his C drive... wtf..

Open any folder, select Options->View->Uncheck "Hide extensions..."

Image
Attachments
FileOptions.png
Charlie.G
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:46 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 38D2693D0BD1-0105180478MPU12
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Charlie.G »

Scott,
thank you would have never known
I will take care of that tomorrow.
thank you,
Charlie
Charlie.G
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:46 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 38D2693D0BD1-0105180478MPU12
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: POST PROCESSOR QUESTIONS

Post by Charlie.G »

Scott,
I made the changes to the file extensions.
and wala they work.....
so I am back to the post processor question.
is there one cam program that works better than the others?
or is there no difference?

thank you for the help,
Charlie
Post Reply