Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

All things related to the Centroid Acorn CNC Controller

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markcadcam
Posts: 49
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Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by markcadcam »

I would need the Acorn controller to send out serial data with a qualifier character along with the tool number to change to. My turret controller would take over from there.
cnckeith
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Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by cnckeith »

ok great.
how many i/o does the turret require?
can you describe it?
can you post a photo of it?
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
markcadcam
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:15 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
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Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Xenia Ohio

Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by markcadcam »

I would only need one pin that can output serial data from the Acorn, and another pin on the Acorn controller that can Pause the motion to make sure there is no movement during a tool change. Making this pin either High or Low. I will post some code of what my present controller is sending to the turret controller when I get home this evening. I'm not sure what you want photo's of?
cnckeith
Posts: 7166
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:23 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
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DC3IOB: Yes
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Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by cnckeith »

photos of the turret please.
photos of machine as well. photos are worth a thousand words!

how many inputs and outputs does the TURRET need to operate?

fyi..there are beta testers running basic lathe auto turrets with Acorn as is.

and it would be helpful if i knew the type of turret (electric reversing motor i presume?, please advice) and how many input and outputs it requires to operate.
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
markcadcam
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:15 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Xenia Ohio

Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by markcadcam »

So you want to know how many I/O pins it would take if I wasn't using my turret controller board? My turret controller board outputs the Step and Direction signals to the servo drive that rotates the turret. The turret moves only one direction. My board also turns the air on to lift the turret, checks the limit switch to make sure it is all the way up before rotating, moves the correct amount of steps to the next tool, engages another air cylinder lock the turret in the correct location, lowers the turret and checks the limit switch to make sure it's down and then sends a signal to the motion controller that motion can continue. So at least 4 more I/O's. Hopefully this makes sense.

I will send pictures later.
markcadcam
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:15 pm
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Location: Xenia Ohio

Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by markcadcam »

Attached are pictures of my HNC lathe. Not sure if they'll help.

Below is an example of the serial data I need to send to my controller. The (A1) tells my turret controller to go to Tool 1.


[TOOL1]
(A1)
Attachments
MVC-005X.JPG
MVC-003X.JPG
MVC-002X.JPG
MVC-001X.JPG
Reedfirst
Posts: 168
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Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by Reedfirst »

I'm not a centroid official. I'm just a guy that enjoys learning about cnc machine control and having fun installing my acorn... ;)

What type of serial data does your controller on your machine use? UART, rs232, ttl, rs485, I squared C, etc... Serial communication can mean a number of different protocols. Is there in industry standard for cnc machine controls that I am unaware of?
markcadcam
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:15 pm
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Location: Xenia Ohio

Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by markcadcam »

RS-232
markcadcam
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:15 pm
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Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by markcadcam »

I'm not sure about any industry standard. I use RS -232.
Reedfirst
Posts: 168
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2017 1:02 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
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DC3IOB: No
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CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Boynton Beach, Florida

Re: Acorn serial or Modbus via host PC USB port

Post by Reedfirst »

When i was checking out the acorns hardware. (pretty impressive for such a small package) I read that there is on-board UART and I squared c built onto the board. You could possibly Use the UART port but I would imagine you'd need some sort of line driver to covert to rs-232 voltages down to logic level (probably via a max232 ic). Just thinking out loud.....

Then somehow to send the data to it. I suppose that is something only centroid could anwser.

I'm curious what those extra ports could be used for. Or if they could even be used.
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