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New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations. Updated 5-10-23

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:43 pm
by cnckeith
New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations. Updated 5-10-23

Two connections choices.

1.) Direct Wire to Acorn screw terminals. For those that don't mind cutting cable ends and wiring up relays for the Clearpath drive fault signal. Change here from previous is to use 5 VDC supply voltage to the open collector screw terminals on the Acorn and therefore a resistor value change. Our testing shows 5 VDC works best with the Clearpath drive. Note the addition of a 100 OHM, 1/2 watt resistor. This resistor is recommended in all applications. Use 1/2 watt or Larger. (a higher wattage resistor runs cooler)

https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 972.r6.pdf

relay board used to combine the clearpath drive fault signals for use with acorn.
https://amzn.to/3FRhAhL


Wizard Step frequency = 200,000.

Note on Step frequency: Testing reveals good results up to around 300,000 steps per second. 200,000 step per second is more than good for most applications (mills, lathes, most routers) on routers when very high rapid rates are required the step rate can be increased using the CNC12 parameter #968

Steps per rev:

Clearpath SDSK currently are available in two flavors a 800 step per rev unit (RLN) and a 6400 step per rev unit (ELN). We recommend purchasing the 6400 step per rev unit. While it might seem common sense to set the step per rev in the Wizard to 800 when using the 800 step per rev Clearpath motor we do not recommend this. Centroid software was never designed to run a a step rate lower than 1600. So when using the 800 RLN unit use 1600 steps per rev in the Wizard. (you can use a higher number the only effect is the top speed will be reduced the higher the step per rev is used) and set the Clearpath Software so it knows that 1600 = 1 turn of the motor.

Steps per rev for the 6400 step per rev unit (ELN) for Milling machines and Lathes and some Routers 6400 steps per rev
6400.PNG
For Routers that need more rapid rate speed use 1600 to 3200 (use 1600 if you want speed, use 3200 if you want good 3D performance)
If you need more top speed (Max rate = Rapid rates= G0 moves) than 1600 step per rev yields then adjust the step frequency manually to 300,000 with parameter 968.
Otherwise use the highest step per rev that will achieve the Max rate that you want so you have good resolution along with really good max rates.
See this post for more Router Gearing advice. https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=8649



2.) Plug and Play C86ACCP board from cnc4pc.com
https://www.cnc4pc.com/c86accp-clearpat ... oller.html
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 072.r4.pdf


Notes on C86 board. Unit works well. Simplifies the CNC control build to a plug and play kit.
1.) Both the Motor cables and the C86 board itself should be strain relieved properly during installation.
2.) Make sure Acorn screw terminals are very tight.


highly recommended support brackets.
https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic. ... 338#p59338


Detailed user install info from Gary Campbell on C86 install.
Gary's Edit of the CNC4PC manual. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... ttings.pdf

https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic. ... 629#p67629

He says,
OK...Here is the scoop:
1 Ignore the schematics DO NOT SET ANY INPUT TO DriveOk at this time DO THIS LAST!!!
2 Put a wire jumper across the 2 terminals next to the power input terminals (new ones come this way)
3 Power the 86accp from the Acorn4 +24VDC& COM terminals, so it is on when the acorn is on
4 Set the Acorn Enable Jumper (next to the red power LED) to OFF
5 Make sure the Hard/Soft jumpers are all set to HARD
6 Set the ACTIVE AXIS jumpers for the X, Y and Z to ON (terms 2 & 3)

Are you using Independent auto square? Are you sure that you need it? If so GOTO #8

7 If you are pairing an axis (no autoquare) set all 4 of the SLAVE jumpers to 1-2 for X and 2-3 for Y. ALL 4!!!
If not using autosquare, install the C86 board into the terminals making sure that you are in all 16 terminals securely
GOTO #10

8 Set the ACTIVE AXIS (4th) mislabeled as "A" to on
9 Remove the 4 slave jumpers and set aside
Install the C86 board into the terminals making sure that you are in all 16 terminals securely
10 Place short wire jumpers connecting the 2 position terminals marked ALAR & GND together for each axis you will be connecting to
11 Connect 24vCOM to relay terminal V IN and Connect a wire from the NC terminal to the input you will use for DriveOk NC

Connect any ONE axis you wish to test or tune to its terminals or plug. If using terminals, Ignore the RED/GRN HLFB wires for now.
move and autotune that axis. Repeat, one at a time for the rest of the motors.

All done? All axes moving? Remove the short jumpers, install the red/grn wires and set the input connected to in step #11 to Drive OK



Related reading. Centroid Clearpath Hard Stop Homing How to doc.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... ds/319.pdf

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:47 pm
by teknic_servo
Hi Keith,
This looks great, thank you. The C86ACCP board addresses the plug and play functionality of the ClearPath Molex connectors, the appropriate resisitor values, and managing the HLFB output signal.

I should mention that for cost sensitive applications or where higher resolution is not needed, the ClearPath -RLN motors work really well with the ACORN CNC control board. Just don't set the step input resolution in Teknic's MSP (Motor Setup Program) to be any lower than 1600 steps per rev. For high resolution applications, use the ClearPath -ELN motors set to 6400 steps per rev.

Teknic is also discussing providing cable lengths other than 10ft and 55ft, which are the lengths currently being offered. The general consensus seems to indicate that 20ft would meet the needs of most DIY mills and tabletop CNC machines.

Stay tuned to MartysCNCGarage on YouTube for videos that show more information regarding the integration of the ACORN CNC control with the ClearPath SD series of closed loop servo motors on his SYIL X4 mill. Marty takes you from start to finish with the integration and provides many tips and tricks.
Tom T.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:43 pm
by Dave_C
Note the addition of a 100 OHM, 1/2 watt resistor. This resistor is recommended in all applications. Use 1/2 watt or Larger. (a higher wattage resistor runs cooler)
First we had 2K ohm resistors, then 10K ohm resistors and now we are saying 100 ohm?

Is that a typo?

Dave C.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:46 pm
by eng199
It is 100 ohm pull up to 5V. Both the recommended configurations are 5V pull up.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:16 pm
by RogDC
Just for clarification, are the step and direction inputs on H2 & H3 5V or 24V?

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:17 pm
by Dave_C
eng199 wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:46 pm It is 100 ohm pull up to 5V. Both the recommended configurations are 5V pull up.
Neither of the drawings above are for 5 VDC because they connect to the screw terminals and not the DB25

Dave C.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 7:18 pm
by Centroid_Tech2
I think there is some confusion about how the open collector screw terminal outputs on H2 and H3 work.
They don't supply any voltage. They pull down to COM/GND to turn on.
Therefore they are whatever signal voltage you supply as a pullup voltage(5,12,24).
Both schematics above show a 5VDC pullup voltage.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:18 pm
by RogDC
I overlooked that the enable voltage on this latest revision changed to 5VDC, IIRC the previous version was 24VDC.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:40 pm
by cnckeith
Dave_C wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:17 pm


Neither of the drawings above are for 5 VDC because they connect to the screw terminals and not the DB25

Dave C.
Dave, hello. this statement is not true. :D the drawings above are using 5 VDC.

after a lot of detailed testing it has been determined that 5 VDC is best for use with the Clearpath so change from previous recommendations is using 5 VDC instead of 24 VDC hence the resistor value change.

Re: New Centroid Teknic Clearpath officially supported configurations

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:20 pm
by Dave_C
Yup, clear as mud!

Keith removed the "False" word in his post and addressed it properly so I'm cleaning up mine as well.
Edited 03/06/21 16:20

Dave C.