Acorn SIX Build
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2022 11:24 am
Well kids...I've bit my tongue long enough. Acorn SIX is here! https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... oller.html
This past year I have been testing the Acorn SIX on my imported 4x8 CNC router. Just like any other hack in the proverbial gifted class, I've removed everything from the machine with a wire on it and pitched it in the trash. I guess some are happy with running the original electronics and Mach3 - but who in their right mind would install 20 year old software on a new machine?!
Acorn 4 is a great system and I could have used it on this machine, but Acorn SIX brings a number of additional features to the table that I wanted to take advantage of. First, it can control up to 6 axes independently vs four on the standard Acorn. This gives me the ability to setup independent X motors for gantry squaring, plus a rotary axis, plus a 2nd spindle should I want to add another one - without giving up anything. With Acorn 4, you have to decide whether you want independent axis squaring OR a rotary...you don't get both. In addition to this, SIX has 3 encoder inputs, more I/O than standard Acorn, two PWM outputs for lasers etc. PLUS a LOT more. Acorn SIX is a totally different board than Acorn 4. It is essentially a hybrid of Centroid's industrial line of controllers, with the simplicity of the Acorn 4 when it comes to setup etc. Same familiar Wizard setup routine, but with more options like stuff for ATC etc.
A tip of the hat to Gary Campbell of GCNC for doing an excellent job building my control panels. I gave him the sizes, specs and it was literally a drop-in deal. I've built plenty of controllers in the past, but Gary does such a nice job at a fair price that it would have been dumb to do it myself - unless of course, I wanted it to cost more and take longer to build just to have another feather in my cap...Nope!
This machine is outfitted with the following parts: Clearpath NEMA 34 Servos & Power Supplies, HSD ES915 5HP ATC spindle & Hitachi WJ200 VFD w/Sensorless Vector Control, 10 station pneumatic/retracting tool bar (so dust foot doesn't smack it @ 96"), Oiling system converted to grease (zerks), Coil springs on Z converted to pneumatic counterbalancers, Original 'one size fits nobody' vacuum grid/t-track system removed in favor of custom machined grid and Becker VTLF250 pump w/pneumatic actuated zones - and more...I still have a few more finishing touches to do before I'm 100% into production, but I'm absolutely loving yet another Centroid controlled machine!
You can have a look at the build pics via my Google Album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pnggR3WsM9wNC7Vv7
-Brady
This past year I have been testing the Acorn SIX on my imported 4x8 CNC router. Just like any other hack in the proverbial gifted class, I've removed everything from the machine with a wire on it and pitched it in the trash. I guess some are happy with running the original electronics and Mach3 - but who in their right mind would install 20 year old software on a new machine?!
Acorn 4 is a great system and I could have used it on this machine, but Acorn SIX brings a number of additional features to the table that I wanted to take advantage of. First, it can control up to 6 axes independently vs four on the standard Acorn. This gives me the ability to setup independent X motors for gantry squaring, plus a rotary axis, plus a 2nd spindle should I want to add another one - without giving up anything. With Acorn 4, you have to decide whether you want independent axis squaring OR a rotary...you don't get both. In addition to this, SIX has 3 encoder inputs, more I/O than standard Acorn, two PWM outputs for lasers etc. PLUS a LOT more. Acorn SIX is a totally different board than Acorn 4. It is essentially a hybrid of Centroid's industrial line of controllers, with the simplicity of the Acorn 4 when it comes to setup etc. Same familiar Wizard setup routine, but with more options like stuff for ATC etc.
A tip of the hat to Gary Campbell of GCNC for doing an excellent job building my control panels. I gave him the sizes, specs and it was literally a drop-in deal. I've built plenty of controllers in the past, but Gary does such a nice job at a fair price that it would have been dumb to do it myself - unless of course, I wanted it to cost more and take longer to build just to have another feather in my cap...Nope!
This machine is outfitted with the following parts: Clearpath NEMA 34 Servos & Power Supplies, HSD ES915 5HP ATC spindle & Hitachi WJ200 VFD w/Sensorless Vector Control, 10 station pneumatic/retracting tool bar (so dust foot doesn't smack it @ 96"), Oiling system converted to grease (zerks), Coil springs on Z converted to pneumatic counterbalancers, Original 'one size fits nobody' vacuum grid/t-track system removed in favor of custom machined grid and Becker VTLF250 pump w/pneumatic actuated zones - and more...I still have a few more finishing touches to do before I'm 100% into production, but I'm absolutely loving yet another Centroid controlled machine!
You can have a look at the build pics via my Google Album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pnggR3WsM9wNC7Vv7
-Brady
