Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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

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.

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.

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.