Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

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martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:01 pm
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Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by martyscncgarage »

Very cool! When milling aluminum, try an uncoated 2-3 flute carbide end mill designed specially for aluminum. I buy mine from this small family run shop:
https://www.carbidetoolsource.com/alumi ... g-endmills
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
cncsnw
Posts: 3763
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Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by cncsnw »

Very nice.

Do try to keep the chips out of your keyboard, though. ;)
jpmsteadi
Posts: 62
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Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by jpmsteadi »

carboncymbal wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:02 am
jpmsteadi wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 6:02 pm Just to chime in here with a success story: I did an install of clearpath SHDK NEMA34 servos on my PM-728VT conversion and it went smooth as silk. The motors are for sure overpowered in this setup, but its nice to know there won't be any issues with them. Getting 3000 mm/min rapids on all axis and I am sure I could push it higher, but don't really want to on ways. Have yet to loose a step anywhere. If anyone has any questions on how stuff was wired or whatnot please don't hesitate to reach out!
Would you mind sharing a photo of your panel? Also, are you using the resistors? Have you taken steps to mitigate EMI/RF interference? Where is your VFD located relative to Acorn?

I’m just curious about how your machine is configured. I’m starting to develop an opinion that the interference issues may actually be due to EMI interference harming the quality of the acorn output sign, and simply that the clearpath is one of the few systems out there that detects such issues and alerts the user by faulting.
My machine is equipped with a BLDC motor for the spindle motor (which is unfortunate, but the way it is at the moment) so no VFD.

I am not using resistors, but have a very short run to the motors. I have had no problems whatsoeveer. I will post a picture of the board. Ain't pretty as its my first time, but its working right now!
Dave_C
Posts: 669
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Location: Springfield, MO. USA
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Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by Dave_C »

I ran this 3D part this morning with clear path servos, 24 volt setup with 10k resistors. 10,000 lines of code and no lost steps.
Attachments
356A10AE-DF17-475C-BB59-5D869D5EF52C.jpeg
Grizzly G0678 Mill ,CNC conversion with Acorn. G4004G Lathe, Mach 3 conversion to Acorn.
jpmsteadi
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2021 5:51 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: E415F6F1121A-1204204111
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by jpmsteadi »

Here is the shot of the cabinet. I have been dialing in the machine since the conversion in January, but haven't fought with any lost steps thankfully. Once I did the ballscrew turns calculations and the ballscrew comp I am getting really nice parts:
Attachments
IMG_20210120_195445_01.jpg
IMG_20210306_165448_01.jpg
IMG_20210306_165448_02.jpg
martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:01 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: Yes
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CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: Yes
CPU10 or CPU7: Yes
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by martyscncgarage »

Very nice!
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
Centurion
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 3:17 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
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CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn Mill (11) System ID 3403DE6EA8A6-0717192289
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
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CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by Centurion »

Returning from doing some homework.
Sorry for the pregnant pause since February 25,2021 but Life gets in the Way.
I was finally able to ?reliably and repeatedly? Fault the Z axis drive .
I discovered that if I repeatedly and rapidly just ran the Z axis up and down with the MPG that I could recreate the sudden plunging down of the Z axis.
Previously this would occur unexpectedly leaving me without a clue as to what was causing what I had described as erratic behavior as this could occur with mild adjustment of the Z axis or during the middle of a program or for a Tool Check.
It has been doing this since installation over a year and a half ago.
It left no trace like a ninja attack.
Being able to reproduce the problem was a breakthrough .
The identity of the culprit was done using the Clearpath built in Oscilliscope application.
I connected the Clearpath USB cable to the Z axis motor while running the CNC12 as you can run both the MSP 2.0 Clearpath software while running the Mill at the same Time!!!!!

Then I forced the Z drive to Fault by running the head up and down rapidly (150 ipm) and it faulted the drives allowing the weight of the head to drift down.
Resetting the machine now showed the new machine home for the Z axis to be at the height the Zaxis faulted.
This would only allow the Z head to rise to this new "home position " when for instance Tool Check was pressed.
I could not defeat this limit.
I would get a message that travel limit was exceeded.

The Drive Fault message was that the Bus Voltage had been exceeded.
Pressing the more information icon yielded an explanation and remedy (remedies) in another window which I will attempt to attach.
There is a software selection I invoked in this window called VRS or vector regenerative shunting.
After selecting this option I am no longer able to create the Drive Fault.
Down side of this selection is that the excess back EMF being created makes more heat along with higher RMS Torque level
(whatever that means 🤔)
I bought a 60 mm fan and mounted it to the cooling fins of the motor with 6/32 screws although the motor never did feel warm even after I invoked VRS.
I BELIEVE THIS WAS MY POLTERGEIST !

On another note I then wired the 100 ohm resistors to 5 volts according to the latest schematic, as I planned to exchange my current 10 foot cables to 20 foot lengths , and have to say that did not go well.
The Acorn started up but even though the Clearpath motors had normal green flashing lights the machine would not move on home command or through the MPG or VCP.
I tried all kinds of permutations removing some connections but it remained dead in the water until I returned it to its original state.
I am grateful that the attempt did not appear to do any damage.
It was odd that the Drive OK LED on the Acorn started up green before the home command or movement by MPG was undertaken.
Without the resistors connected when the Acorn starts up the Drive OK light has always remained red until commanded to home or movement by the MPG or VCP after which Drive OK LED WOULD TURN GREEN.
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IMG_1145.JPG
martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:01 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: Yes
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CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: Yes
CPU10 or CPU7: Yes
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by martyscncgarage »

Picture of your control cabinet. What power supply are you using to drive your Clearpath motors?
DID you run the AUTOTUNE on the drives (Found in the MSP software)

While you might remember your setup....we don't. ;)
Please post a fresh report.
Please pan out and let us see your control cabinet wiring....
Marty
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
Centurion
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 3:17 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn Mill (11) System ID 3403DE6EA8A6-0717192289
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by Centurion »

Forgot one more photo showing Teknic suggested remedy for turning on VRS
Attachments
IMG_1162.JPG
Dave_C
Posts: 669
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:25 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
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DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Springfield, MO. USA
Contact:

Re: Acorn + Clearpath success stories?

Post by Dave_C »

I count 11 resistors in the pictures!

Should be 2 on X, 2 on Y and 2 on Z. Step and direction only!

Dave C.
Grizzly G0678 Mill ,CNC conversion with Acorn. G4004G Lathe, Mach 3 conversion to Acorn.
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