Controller-only (not motors/drivers) upgrade for PRS Alpha

[ReactiveLight]

I have a ShopBot PRS Alpha (purchased new in June 2020), and I would like to replace the controller because the factory one has so many irritating quirks and I also don't like the proprietary system—I would like to be able to run the machine directly from my own software without going through the ShopBot control software. However, I really don't want to go to the expense & trouble of replacing the motors and drivers, especially since my machine has dual Z axes and a rotary—that would be a LOT of stuff to replace! I understand about the performance enhancements of going with a complete Centroid package, but that really isn't necessary for my purposes. So, can you guys recommend a compatible setup using one of your controllers? Thanks!

BTW, what I would most like to do is simply unplug the ShopBot controller card in the controller cabinet and plug in the new Centroid controller there, keeping all of the existing wiring in that cabinet since removing it and wiring the new controller into my motor drivers, powers supplies, limit switches, etc., etc. would be a bear of a job. It seems to me that there would be a substantial market for that sort of upgrade, and I, at least, would be willing to pay quite a bit for it.

[suntravel]

Do you have manuals of the drivers?

If they are controlled with Step/DIR should be no problem to connect to Acorn or Acorn6

Since Acorn is 4 axis, you have to use hardware pairing with a 4th rotary axis, with Acorn6 software pairing is an option.

Uwe

[ReactiveLight]

Yes, I have the manuals. I would prefer to buy a controller with sufficient hardware channels for my purpose, and the cost is not really important.

[ShawnM]

Yes, I have the manuals. I would prefer to buy a controller with sufficient hardware channels for my purpose, and the cost is not really important.

Well then, I have the perfect controller for you and it costs $1,000,000. How many do you want?

[ReactiveLight]

If that's installed, then it might be a good deal! LOL

If I buy two, how about 10% off the second?

[Gary Campbell]

All has been answered here by me, with one small caveat: the 2020 version of drivers (AR versions) will be slightly more difficult to implement as they have even more obscure logic in their programming

https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10052

[suntravel]

Complete Kit from Gary:

https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=2480

Uwe

[ReactiveLight]

Thanks, Gary. I just read that post, and I see your point. However, it seems to me that overall it should be more practical with the 2020 hardware since the motor/driver issues you mentioned have presumably been addressed. But, if this is not a configuration that you wish to support then I'll give up on the idea, since I don't want to spend a huge amount of time working out all of the details on my own. Cheers!

(However, I may still look into creating a swappable replacement for the ShopBot controller board that supports the very specialized functions I want to experiment with and doesn't need all of the optimized motion paths, etc.)

[ReactiveLight]

Complete Kit from Gary:

https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=2480

Uwe

Not applicable to my goals or my much more loaded ShopBot, but thanks.

[suntravel]

Gary also builds to order and he has lots of experience with shopbot.

For a perfect running system with minimum downtime maybe the best choice.

Uwe