ShopBot refit done! < with Video! >

Post your completed retrofits for the world to see.

Moderator: cnckeith

Toaster
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ShopBot refit done! < with Video! >

Post by Toaster »

Hey everyone! Thought I'd share this:



Thanks to all of the help and support I got on, and off this forum I was able to successfully convert my ShopBot over to Centroid control. I did a fair amount of bench testing before I did the switch. My machine is used in light production so I didn't want to have it down for that long.

I solved one problem at a time. First I worked on getting some test drivers and motors to move. Then I started creating some of the scripts I needed to make my unique machine work. After that I figured out how to make the Acorn talk to my VFD for full spindle control.

I spent a bunch of hours doing that, but it was very much worth it. That actual switchover took only a few hours and I was running jobs the next day.

The performance is great with this upgrade. I'm already seeing much faster cut times, and the cut quality has gone up too.

I'm absolutely loving having WCS systems and that wireless pendant too.

If anyone's got any questions on my conversion please let me know.
Gary Campbell
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Re: ShopBot refit done!

Post by Gary Campbell »

Nice job, Eric :D
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
Toaster
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Re: ShopBot refit done!

Post by Toaster »

Couldn't have done it without your help sir.
cnckeith
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Re: ShopBot refit done!

Post by cnckeith »

Toaster,
thanks for posting the great video! I'm hoping other ShopBot users will benefit from your lead and gary's help.
-Keith
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
Toaster
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Re: ShopBot refit done!

Post by Toaster »

All the performance aside, just having machine coordinates is such a breath of fresh air.

I have my post processor setup so that when my machine rapids, it's got the Z carriage up as high as it possible can go. I can do this because my MACHINE Z0 is at the TOP of the Z travel. I call that by using a "G53 Z0"

When I zero my Z to my table or part I'm using the tool height offset that I measure with my touch plate. This results in me getting an exact reading on the DRO as to how high my bit is over the top of the table or part.

This is GREAT for making sure I'll clear any clamps. Most of my clamps are 3" tall, and when I see that I'm 4.5" above the part when the Z carriage is up top, I know I won't knock any of them over. I could do that on the old control, but it was a little harder to determine (and control) the exact rapid (jog) height.

In addition to that the pendant is just great to use. So responsive.
BDubs
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Re: ShopBot refit done!

Post by BDubs »

Awesome! The machine moves so quick & crisp - Lovin' the MPG & soft limit decel.

Thanks for posting the video. Good stuff!
Brady Watson | IBILD Solutions | Production Consultant | HiDef 3D Laser Scanning | Vectric Custom Video Training | IBILD.com
gerald martin
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Re: ShopBot refit done! < with Video! >

Post by gerald martin »

Great work Eric (and Gary)

You made that bot come alive. Congratulations!

Gerald
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Re: ShopBot refit done! < with Video! >

Post by Toaster »

Thanks Brady and Gerald! The soft limits working are really great. It still surprises me how fast you can jog it at towards the limits with reckless abandon! :)
gerald martin
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Re: ShopBot refit done! < with Video! >

Post by gerald martin »

Interesting Eric. That's the thing I keep loving about Gary's Centroid conversion to my ShopBot. It makes so much sense, doesn't it?
Toaster
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Re: ShopBot refit done! < with Video! >

Post by Toaster »

Having a real machine coordinate system is great too. It makes creating scripts for things like my fixed touch off plate super easy. G code makes a ton of sense.
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