Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

All things related to the Centroid Acorn Plasma system.

Moderators: cnckeith, Joey

cnckeith
Posts: 7164
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: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by cnckeith »

Calvert wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 2:48 pm Should I upgrade my Gecko drives to the Gecko Raptor drives when I install the Acorn?
My drives are from 2012 I'm assuming the newer drives have improvements.
if you are going to upgrade, go with a closed loop axis motor. this is a huge jump in performance.
see Clearpath Stepper Killers, or Closed Loop Leadshine/Stepper online motor/drives.

upgrading from open loop g201x to raptor you aren't going to see some huge difference and not worth it in my opinion.
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
ShawnM
Posts: 2190
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:34 am
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 7804734C6498-0401191832
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Clearwater, FL

Re: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by ShawnM »

cnckeith wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:23 pm
Calvert wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 2:48 pm Should I upgrade my Gecko drives to the Gecko Raptor drives when I install the Acorn?
My drives are from 2012 I'm assuming the newer drives have improvements.
if you are going to upgrade, go with a closed loop axis motor. this is a huge jump in performance.
see Clearpath Stepper Killers, or Closed Loop Leadshine/Stepper online motor/drives.

upgrading from open loop g201x to raptor you aren't going to see some huge difference and not worth it in my opinion.
I agree with Keith 1000%, yes, that's one thousand percent. :D Don't bother with just another stepper drive with basically the same performance. I have Clearpath on two of my systems and they are awesome.
Calvert
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2023 1:40 pm
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: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by Calvert »

The stepper killer motors will have to go on the list of wants for now.
I got the control box gutted and all of my wires identified and labeled.
I’ve been told that Tru Cut would change things up to keep people wondering and that turns out to be true. The pins coming my plasma to the machine were pinned different than the plasma machine schematic.
I’ll update with a wiring diagram whenever I know it works.

Also am I able to use the micro switch on my Z for touch off?
If you run z down to the material it will switch.
I can set it up N/O or N/C and it is adjustable.
ShawnM
Posts: 2190
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:34 am
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 7804734C6498-0401191832
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Clearwater, FL

Re: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by ShawnM »

If you stick with your current drives make sure you max out the power supply and supply them with all they want. I see all too often builders have stepper drives that can handle 48 volts or more and they have a 24 or 36 volt power supply for the drives. Make sure your Z axis is snappy and quick, this is important in my opinion with plasma. You can use your Z axis microswitch, you'll wire it up as a float switch for touch off. I know nothing about your plasma cutter but make sure you follow good grounding practices with all the wiring when you rebuild.
Calvert
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2023 1:40 pm
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: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by Calvert »

I’m leaving my existing power supply which is brand new just to run the drives and a cooling fan.
The acorn power supply will just be running the acorn.
So how do I get the thc board to read the micro switch via float switch?
Calvert
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2023 1:40 pm
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: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by Calvert »

I’m leaving my existing power supply which is brand new just to run the drives and a cooling fan.
The acorn power supply will just be running the acorn.
So how do I get the thc board to read the micro switch via float switch?

Another rookie question is what is the best way to ground the plasma cutter to the table?
Copper terminal and bolt?
ShawnM
Posts: 2190
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:34 am
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 7804734C6498-0401191832
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Clearwater, FL

Re: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by ShawnM »

Calvert wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 6:57 pm So how do I get the thc board to read the micro switch via float switch?
Read the new Acorn plasma manual, it's all in there.

Acorn Plasma Installation Manual. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... manual.pdf

New plasma schematics have been added. type in "plasma" in the search to see them.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... browse.php
ShawnM
Posts: 2190
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:34 am
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 7804734C6498-0401191832
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Clearwater, FL

Re: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by ShawnM »

Calvert wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 6:59 pm Another rookie question is what is the best way to ground the plasma cutter to the table?
Copper terminal and bolt?
Not sure what you mean. The plasma cutter itself is grounded by the incoming power from the building. The table is grounded by a driven copper rod or connected to the PE of the building. That's how those are grounded.

Are you asking about the work lead coming off the plasma cutter? If so it's not a ground, it a "work lead". Get one with the large clamp on it. There will be times you'll want to clamp it directly to your work piece. With the clamp you can simply clamp it to the table or the work piece you are cutting.
Calvert
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2023 1:40 pm
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: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by Calvert »

The only earth ground I have is on the incoming wire from the building. Do I need to go through the slab at my table and install a copper rod?

Again sorry for the question I’ve never owned a plasma cutter but I understand electricity.
ShawnM
Posts: 2190
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:34 am
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: 7804734C6498-0401191832
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Clearwater, FL

Re: Tru Cut A80 Thermal Dynamics Will It Work?

Post by ShawnM »

Calvert wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:23 pm The only earth ground I have is on the incoming wire from the building. Do I need to go through the slab at my table and install a copper rod?

Again sorry for the question I’ve never owned a plasma cutter but I understand electricity.
Then you know that if using single phase power you need three wires going to the plasma cutters power to properly ground the plasma cutter. If you are using 3 phase power then you need 4 wires to properly ground the plasma cutter to the building's PE line. It's highly advisable to add a ground rod at the table. I have a retrofitted ShopSabre plasma table and the manual states to install a 10' copper rod through the slab at the table for proper grounding. If you are close enough the ground rod for the building you could attach there.

There's a complete write up in the newest plasma install manual on grounding. Please give it a read.
Post Reply