New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

All things related to the Centroid Acorn CNC Controller

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406JLM
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New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by 406JLM »

Hello community.

My name is Jamie. I just got out of the military, am pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and I am in the process of trying to wrap my head around the final stages of the planning portion of my build. I would like to post my plans in the hopes that the community may illuminate any "unknown unknowns" so that I do not lock myself into a design that is inferior or is costly to "do the right way" later on. With that said, paralysis by analysis is also a concern so at some point I have to make the plunge.

The mill is located in my garage and will mostly be operated in temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees. 110 is currently available and I am running 220 over to the mill's location (after installing tandem breakers to free up some space in my load center) so that I may install a VFD and 3 phase spindle in the future.

I've bought a few things already, but nothing that has really locked me in terribly. (PM-30MV, inductive limit switches, BeeLink Mini-PC, touch screen monitor, ArizonaCNC Ballscrew kit)

I have watched both James's (Clough42) and Marty's (martyscncgarage) videos multiple times and they have been a huge help. (Thanks for the great videos if you read this guys!)

Below are my tentative plans for the build in a word document as well as my excel spreadsheet for the parts that I am considering purchasing.
PM-30 Converstion Master.docx
(22.29 KiB) Downloaded 26 times
PM-30 Build Cost.xlsx
(113.81 KiB) Downloaded 32 times
406JLM
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by 406JLM »

Here is the word document for anyone that has problems (or doesn't want to) download it.

PM-30 MV CNC Conversion

PHASE 1
(Allows me to get up and running to make parts needed)

Mill: PURCHASED
Precision Matthews PM-30MV
https://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-30mv/

Motors:
ClearPath Servos
https://teknic.com/model-info/CPM-SDSK-3421S-RLN/ (X and Y axes)
https://teknic.com/model-info/CPM-SDSK-3432S-RLN/ (Z axis)
https://teknic.com/products/spring-appl ... -34-brake/ (NEMA 34 Brake)

Motion Control:
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... oller.html (Centroid Acorn)
https://www.cnc4pc.com/c86accp-clearpat ... oller.html (ClearPath Connector board for Acorn Controller)
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/ether1616.html (My understanding is that I will need additional inputs so that I may utilize 6 limit switches (two at the end of travel of each axis), air pressure, tool carousel position, tool carousel in or out, flood coolant pump control, ATC air control, HomeAll, Door Safety Switch, tool release, E-stop

This is the C86ACCP board support I need to 3D print to mount on the acorn
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5212904

Do I need an assortment of wires for jumping? Gauge? (Found answer, machine wire, 20AWG 300V should be fine)

Electronics Enclosure:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164763405129?_ ... %3A2047675

Wireless MPG CNC Pendant:
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... ndant.html

Stand:
I am considering using 3” box tube steel welded for the stand. Springy, but I can fill the tubes with epoxy and an aggregate for vibration dampening. This; combined with either hockey pucks (rubber) or dedicated machine feet will provide stiffness, mass, and vibration attenuation.
Inspiration:
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads ... 388/page-2

Power:
https://teknic.com/products/servo-motor ... er-supply/ (IPC-5 75VDC Motor drive power supply) Figure out if you need one or, most likely, two. Also don’t forget shaft seals and dielectric packing for water intrusion due to flood coolant) EDIT: Answer from Teknic, one is needed.

The Centroid Acorn kit comes with a 24V power supply, but I am considering using a DIN rail mounted 24V power supply with terminal blocks to keep the logic on the drives while motor power is turned off.

Phase 1 will run all electronics off single phase power with two phase power only being supplied to the spindle motor. Phase 2 will incorporate the VFD in a separate electronics enclosure and interface with acorn to provide software motor control.

Ball Screws: PURCHASED
20mm double nut C7 Ball Screws with 14mm motor couplers for ClearPath NEMA 34
https://www.arizonacnckits.com/pm-30-cnc-kit.html

Limit Switches: PURCHASED
Roko SN04-N2 bk-npn.nc proximity induction switch
Need to wire 4 pin A-coded M12 connectors for proximity sensors? Unless there is a less labor intensive method that does not require me to design and have a PCB printed.





PHASE 2

Enclosure:
https://procutcnc.com/products/pm-30mv- ... with-doors (Expensive; but at least an option and good for inspiration if nothing else)
https://mdaprecision.com/products/optio ... enclosure/

Power Draw Bar:
(I’ve discovered ATC spindle motors which have tool changing capabilities built into them. This would be nice to have one less thing to worry about….if they have enough torque for work hardened materials…the PM30 rigidity limitations will likely mean I have to use smaller cutters in steel, so perhaps this will be fine.)
This will necessitate the use of some type of tapered tooling such as Tormach’s TTS system.
https://priesttools.com/product/power-d ... 30mv-mill/

Lights:
Relay controlled IPXX rated LED light strips here for inside the enclosure.






Spindle Motor/VFD Conversion:
(Clough42 video on this)
ATC FM30F 3 horsepower 4 pole 400hz spindle motor (vs 2 pole spindle motors, 12k RPM should be fine with more torque at lower speeds vs 24k rpm for a two phase) available from CNCDepot. Requires 2CFM air @90PSI for dry air purge with labyrinth seal. Need air filtration for oil and water.


(Air Filtration)

Hitachi WJ200 VFD is a possibility for the VFD.
Two 30-amp fuse blocks (main power) feeding a 30amp contactor to turn power on and off into a 30amp two stage RFI noise filter to prevent the inverter from getting into the power supply

24-volt power supply which will feed a cooling fan for the box as well as solenoid for the air for power draw bar on spindle and to activate the contactor to switch in 240V power.

a 2-amp fuse for 120 v power supply from the primary electronics enclosure. This will allow the main box to turn on power to the VFD via the contactor.


Tool Touch Off/Probing:
TBD regarding probing…possibly Centroid probe.
Need to investigate tool touch off, likely to go with a capacitive style like HAAS since I will be using conductive tools for the vast majority of my applications. I can manually set tool height for a diamond engraver or jewel probing, and they will live in dedicated tool holders so that isn’t an issue.
TT-1 Conductive Tool Measuring Sensor
KP-3 CNC Touch Probe kit

One Shot Oiler:
This will require channels milled into the dove tails as well as valving considerations for oil distribution. Need to learn more.


PHASE 3


Flood Coolant:
Have a lot to learn here. Submersible pump flow is critical for having enough pressure to blast chips out of pockets or slots.
https://www.cnccookbook.com/cnc-machine ... diy-guide/

Automatic Tool Changer:
https://tormach.com/atc-kit-pcnc-770-se ... 39008.html (Just linking this for reference, need a way to index to know for sure which tool I am selecting from the carousel as well as a linear actuator with built in limit switches to bring the ATC out as well as change tool….I’m ignorant here so perhaps pneumatic would be more appropriate, lots to learn)
Last edited by 406JLM on Mon May 23, 2022 11:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
406JLM
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by 406JLM »

My current priority is completing my electronics parts list prior to ordering everything. James's solution for limit switches and other associated connectors seems to be very elegant...but adding the design and outsourcing of a PCB to the list of things that I need to learn is a bit much I think? What is the consensus on the best way to wire up my various inputs to the electronics enclosure in lieu of the PCB? Or should I really just bite the bullet and design and outsource the production of this part?

I am also thinking of using the FM30F ATC spindle motor from CNCDepot with a WJ200 VFD in the future as the integrated tool change feature would be nice and my understanding is that it would eliminate the need for the power draw bar. My plan is to store the electronics for the spindle in a sperate electronics enclosure for noise isolation with 220 feeding that box and 110 feeding the rest of the electronics.

Thank you all in advance and please try to bear with me. I'm a dummy that's just looking for help and hoping that my struggles will help others in some small way. Once I get everything up and running in the future I'll make a long video for those who want to travel the same path.
carbuthn
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by carbuthn »

I couple of things to think about, I went with a PM25MV added a power drawbar and Tormach TTS holders. Now I am looking at a way to get higher spindle speeds. The FM30F would get me out of several problems (power drawbar, almost 10X the speed, speed control, encoder/encoder mounting and more torque).

Take a look at CNC4XR7 u-tube videos also for tool changer and enclosure ideas, also Clearpath servos. He also provides a lot of good information.

Make sure that you get the right servos with enough power for the PM30, I ended up buying additional/bigger servos for my X and Y axis.

I went with a single larger size enclosure mounted on the mill base below the table. If doing it again I would go with two smaller enclosures and separate the high voltage items (servo power, larger contactors and any 120 vac controls) from the low voltage controls (Acorn, 5 vdc and 24 vdc power supplies, relays and limit switches signals).

Also I would likely go with a PM727MV.

Another nice accessory is a Precision Matthews PM-30 Aluminum Fixture Tooling Plate with their modular vises. https://saundersmachineworks.com/collec ... n-Matthews
https://saundersmachineworks.com/collec ... dular-vise

In any case good luck with the build.
suntravel
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by suntravel »

If you by all this stuff new, you will end up paying more than to do a retrofit of a used Brother TC229 (or similar machine) with Centroid CNC....

Uwe
406JLM
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by 406JLM »

carbuthn wrote: Tue May 24, 2022 12:12 am I couple of things to think about, I went with a PM25MV added a power drawbar and Tormach TTS holders. Now I am looking at a way to get higher spindle speeds. The FM30F would get me out of several problems (power drawbar, almost 10X the speed, speed control, encoder/encoder mounting and more torque).

Take a look at CNC4XR7 u-tube videos also for tool changer and enclosure ideas, also Clearpath servos. He also provides a lot of good information.

Make sure that you get the right servos with enough power for the PM30, I ended up buying additional/bigger servos for my X and Y axis.

I went with a single larger size enclosure mounted on the mill base below the table. If doing it again I would go with two smaller enclosures and separate the high voltage items (servo power, larger contactors and any 120 vac controls) from the low voltage controls (Acorn, 5 vdc and 24 vdc power supplies, relays and limit switches signals).

Also I would likely go with a PM727MV.

Another nice accessory is a Precision Matthews PM-30 Aluminum Fixture Tooling Plate with their modular vises. https://saundersmachineworks.com/collec ... n-Matthews
https://saundersmachineworks.com/collec ... dular-vise

In any case good luck with the build.
It's nice to know that the FM30F is considered by others as well.

I beleive that the X and Y motor size (SDSK-3421S-RLN) are sized right for this application considering the rigidity limitations of the PM-30MV. I considered going with the smaller motors due to form factor but Tom over at Teknic made a good point regarding cost benefit and I decided to take his recommendation and go with the larger but more capable motors.

Awesome link on the SMW PM-30 fixture plate. I've followed NYC CNC for years but haven't looked at his site as I wasn't that close before. It's great to know that there is already a fixture plate solution for my specific machine.

Thank you for your feedback!
406JLM
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by 406JLM »

suntravel wrote: Tue May 24, 2022 12:36 am If you by all this stuff new, you will end up paying more than to do a retrofit of a used Brother TC229 (or similar machine) with Centroid CNC....

Uwe
Uwe,

Thank you for your comment. My parts list already has the PM-30V listed as purchased so I will be going that direction. I considered going with a larger/stiffer mill, but the PM-30 seemed to be the best compromise for my situation. The current build sheet is looking at approximately $10,000. I estimate I'll be somewhere around the $15-18k mark with enclosure, flood coolant and a spindle upgrade with VFD.

I could have bought a Tormach 1100 with servos or a Haas Super Minimill 2 for quite a bit more money as a plug and play option, but part of this experience is the learning process which I will most certainly use in future applications.

If you have any recommendations concerning my questions posed or other unknown unknowns, I'd love to hear them!
406JLM
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by 406JLM »

Okay, so I'm slightly less dumb after spending a few more hours looking over documentation and planning.

Resistive capacitive snubbers vs. freewheeling diodes were a bit confusing. For anyone who is in my boat and looking for the answer....a RC snubber is used to dissipate inductive kickback from an AC motor (three phase motors directly controlled from the relay need to have three snubbers wired to dissipate the kickback on each phase...but I don't fully understand it as my understanding is that I do not need that knowledge for my application, you can purchase a three phase snubber directly from centroid for plug and play).

I beleive my application (where I plan to use a Hitachi WJ200 VFD and CNCDepot FM30F unless directed to a better/cheaper source) will not need a three phase snubber. Since the solenoid valves to control dry purge air for the spindle as well as the tool release will be a 24VDC circuit, a freewheeling diode will short the coil after power is removed to dissipate the negative voltage spike. Is there a reason I should use a $12 Quencharc snubber when a $.23 silicon 1N4004 diode that Teknic recommends for 24VDC servo brake applications will do the same job? (It's not about the money; it's about understanding the build and selecting the right tool for the job)

Also, my understanding is that the acorn board will supply 24VDC to my NC e-stop button with a very small amount of current. There doesn't seem to be the need for a snubber or diode in this application as it is just a switch. If I were going to use an e-stop contactor then that would require protection.

EDIT: For clarification; I'm planning on ordering from automation direct the CWB25-11-30D15 120V 25A contactor with a VRB-E34 varistor for power coming into the electronics box before distribution to meanwell power supplies and terminal blocks.


Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by Gary Campbell »

I use solenoids with LEDs, which should accomplish the goal. If not then I go to a 1N404/5 diode
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
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suntravel
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Re: New Build: PM-30MV ClearPath Acorn

Post by suntravel »

If you want to get most performance from the PM 30 ( I have a similar one ) consider to learn scraping to make it a bit more rigid running.



Uwe
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