Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Keith, Thanks for the encouragement, but a tool changer is over-kill for my little Taig; however, I would be happy to help anyone who has questions about the electrical. After a little thinking, I realized that the Acorn could control a multi-position tool changer using only two OUTPUTs and one INPU...

If you can live changing speed by manually changing belts and pulley positions, then you don't necessarily need a VFD; but, if you want to change speed via program control, a VFD will let you do that. AutomationDirect has a good selection of VFDs at affordable prices. They also sell affordable 3-pha...

Awhile ago there were some topics asking how to control a multi-position tool changer with the limited number of I/O connections on the Acorn. There is a way to control up to 16 positions by using a Teknic ClearPath MCPV servo motor and an Acorn by using a minimum of two Output signals and one Input...

I'm making the assumption that your dust collector has a self-latching contactor or relay that latches ON when the Start button is momentarily pressed and that momentarily pressing the OFF button interrupts the power going to the contactor/relay coil, which releases the latching current. Often the s...

When I think "PLC", I think of a general purpose programmable controller, like the controllers found controlling processes in industry. For instance, I sometimes serve as a consultant in the petroleum industry where a single industrial grade PLC controls a multi-million-dollar refinery. In...

I have a ClearCore module w/expansion module. I did not buy it to work directly with my Acorns. It can provide drive signals for Teknic servo motors or for stepper motors via stepper drivers. With a little ingenuity, you might find a way to use an Acorn and the ClearCore to control a tool changer. T...

Your drawing looks okay to me. The resistor pulls the step signal HIGH (24VDC) unless the Acorn is pulling the step signal LOW via the H2 connector. Use at least a 1 watt resistor. (24V / 1000 ohms = 240 mA and 240 mA X 24V = .57 Watt). I used 2K 2W resistors on my test bench with excellent results.

Random failures often mean electrical interference. Are you using the shunt resistors recommended by Teknic (ClearPath User Manual Rev. 2.27 Page 45)? Electrical interference can cause a flurry of quick pulses. The motor's internal driver would try to move the axis at a very high rate of speed, caus...

(Previous post edited) I should have read the Sherline data sheet before posting. It clearly states that the motors, as shipped, require a unipolar stepper drive; however, if the plug is cut off, the motors can be used with a bipolar drive, like the DM332. Refer to Figure 1 on the Sherline data shee...

In your photos, the DM860T has DIR+, DIR-, PUL+ and PUL-. Connect DIR+ and PUL+ to +5VDC on the Acorn's power supply. Connect DIR- to DB25 pin 3. Connect PUL- to DB25 pin2.