First Project | proLIGHT | Acorn Conversion

[Gary Campbell]

From the Acorn Tech Tips section of the forum: viewtopic.php?f=63&t=1650

[citterly]

Update - 4th axis configuration complete

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muiu7zREcKM

[citterly]

Just sharing a lesson learned --> cooling in the control panel is important.

My G540 stepper drive was over heating and losing steps.
Initially, it was minor, small amounts that I was compensating for by sneaking up on final dimensions through adjusting cutter comp.
But I didn't really know what was going on ...

I've gotten to the point where I'm using the machine a lot more, running it at times for as much as 11 hours straight.
The issue became more pronounced in those conditions.

Added a $8 fan blowing on the G540 and things seem to be settled.

[martyscncgarage]

Did you add the current set resistors to the DB9 connectors for each stepper motor? That is important as it will throttle the current down when the motors are not running.

[citterly]

Did you add the current set resistors to the DB9 connectors for each stepper motor? That is important as it will throttle the current down when the motors are not running.

Great piece of info, thanks Marty.
The DB9 connectors do have the correct current set resistors on pins 1&5.

This article was eye opening for me.
Huge change with such a minor change...

https://www.geckodrive.com/support/step ... nking.html

[martyscncgarage]

Did you add the current set resistors to the DB9 connectors for each stepper motor? That is important as it will throttle the current down when the motors are not running.

Great piece of info, thanks Marty.
The DB9 connectors do have the correct current set resistors on pins 1&5.

This article was eye opening for me.
Huge change with such a minor change...

https://www.geckodrive.com/support/step ... nking.html

Yes, and Geckodrive is supposed to come out with a new replacement for that popular drive in the near future.
I've had good success with the G540 and if I am pushing it to full voltage and current, I did mount it to a large heatsink.

Marty

[FKreider]

I've gotten to the point where I'm using the machine a lot more, running it at times for as much as 11 hours straight.

As the owner of a prolight 2000 that is going to be retrofitted with centroid acorn, this is awesome to hear!

Any chance you can post some pictures of your parts and/or post a youtube video of some machining operations? I would love to see one of these machines really doing some work, most of the youtube videos out there are old and do not show off the capabilities of these little machines!

[martyscncgarage]

Chris, I reached out to you on your YouTube Channel.
I am about to do a control retrofit on a Pro Light for a client. Can you tell me what the torque rating was on the original axis motors? (Picture of the labels if possible) Were all three the same? (I see pictures in your thread of the stepper motor labels). Since Z has ball screws and linear rails, was it counter balanced OR does it need an axis motor with a brake?
What size motors did you use and did you find them adequate? I will be using Leadshine Closed Loop hybrid steppers.

Thanks in advance,
Marty

[roundel325]

I've done an Acorn retrofit on a PLM-2000 with DMM DYN2 and .4KW NEMA23 motors. Works great! I sold the original steppers but I have a copy of the original spec sheet which lists the axis motors as 50 oz-in (attached). They were all the same size on my machine. No z-axis brake or counterweight is used. I think the friction of the belt reduction, motor magnetism, and fairly high screw TPI keeps things from drooping. Best of luck and thanks for all your support!

[martyscncgarage]

I've done an Acorn retrofit on a PLM-2000 with DMM DYN2 and .4KW NEMA23 motors. Works great! I sold the original steppers but I have a copy of the original spec sheet which lists the axis motors as 50 oz-in (attached). They were all the same size on my machine. No z-axis brake or counterweight is used. I think the friction of the belt reduction, motor magnetism, and fairly high screw TPI keeps things from dropping. Best of luck and thanks for all your support!

Thanks, I believe the 1000 has round linear rails. They tell me the Z axis does not need a brake. There must be enough friction to keep it from dropping.

Marty