acorn with an old shopbot

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luke
Posts: 71
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acorn with an old shopbot

Post by luke »

I just got my acorn controller that I want to control an older PRS shopbot with Gecko Drivers. I have been reading a lot and think I am up to it. I got the breakout board also. I will be asking a lot of questions so I hope you will put up with some stupid questions.
cnckeith
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Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by cnckeith »

hello.
good answers require good info, start with making a google photos photo album so we can 'see' your machine/setup etc..
here is how.
https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
luke
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:53 am
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DC3IOB: No
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CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by luke »

Sorry for not getting back but I was gone and haven't had a chance to work with the acorn. Right now I am gathering up the parts to get it setup.
Gary Campbell
Posts: 2164
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Location: Marquette, MI
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Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by Gary Campbell »

Due to the high inductance of SB's OEM Oriental motors (PK Series) you will have to use Gecko drives to run them. If you have one of the 4G boards you can reuse the existing drives. You should check to see how much backlash those old gearmotors have as they are known for being a bit sloppy.

Centroid has schematics for most Gecko drives that you can follow and there are a number of users here on the forum that have followed that same path. There are also a number of build threads and success stories from users that upgraded from SB3 control.

If you do find that your gearmotors have too much slop and want to upgrade to modern motors and drives I sell adapter plates, 5:1 planetary gearboxes and pinion gears that fit the later model PRT rack gears (1/2" wide) and all PRS models.

Good luck with your build!
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
luke
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:53 am
Acorn CNC Controller: No
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by luke »

Thanks Gary I do have an extra set of Gecko 203v drives from an old 4g board hooked up now. I have the board set up on a table to check out the works. Right now I get all 3 axis but the software is not saving the pairing setting after I test it. both X steppers turn when I use the X button but when I home it the pairing changes back to no. I know you used to sell the conversion and was wondering if you had a copy of the CNC12 with the Macros and settings for my machine. My email is teriseluke@gmail.com
cnckeith
Posts: 7166
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:23 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: Yes
Oak CNC controller: Yes
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: Yes
CNC11: Yes
CPU10 or CPU7: Yes
Contact:

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by cnckeith »

install pro license. axis pairing is a Pro Router/Mill feature
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
Gary Campbell
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:32 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn 238
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Marquette, MI
Contact:

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by Gary Campbell »

luke wrote: Mon Feb 06, 2023 5:34 pm Thanks Gary I do have an extra set of Gecko 203v drives from an old 4g board hooked up now. I have the board set up on a table to check out the works. Right now I get all 3 axis but the software is not saving the pairing setting after I test it. both X steppers turn when I use the X button but when I home it the pairing changes back to no. I know you used to sell the conversion and was wondering if you had a copy of the CNC12 with the Macros and settings for my machine. My email is teriseluke@gmail.com
Luke...
The stepper based setups that I used to sell are now being produced by Scott Worden. Unfortunately none of those controllers used the same drives, motors or gearbox ratios as the OEM SB products, so our settings would do more harm than good if put on your control.
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
luke
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:53 am
Acorn CNC Controller: No
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by luke »

I have everything hooked up on a test bed with just the Gecko and steppers. I have run a test file and it seems to run smooth. What I need now is the values and the VFD speed hook up. I have a Yaskawa V7-4X vfd Here are my Shopbot values
Attachments
IMG_20230209_103930744.jpg
Gary Campbell
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:32 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: Acorn 238
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Marquette, MI
Contact:

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by Gary Campbell »

Sadly, the steps per rev on Gecko drives is locked at 2000, so you would enter that into the "steps per rev" box

Use the chart below to determine your "turns per inch" setting for each axis based on what gearboxes you have and the tooth count of the pinions. Note that with 3.6 gearmotors and a 25 tooth pinion your turns per inch range will be less than 1 which is contrary to Centroid recommendations. If that is the combination that you have, I recommend replacing the 25T versions with 20T.
Acorn SB Turns Chart.png
The connections below are for the GCnC Spindle harness, but it will give you the connections you need and parameters to program for software on/off and speed control
V7-4X Harness Connections.JPG
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
luke
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:53 am
Acorn CNC Controller: No
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: acorn with an old shopbot

Post by luke »

Thank you for the info going to try it on the shopbot sometime this week
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