Custom Acorn Controller

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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:

Custom Acorn Controller

Post by Gary Campbell »

For those that don't have the time, knowledge or ambition to learn how to assemble, wire and build an Acorn control system, here is an opportunity to exchange your time and frustration for a few bucks.

Custom controls, built to your specs, including control PC, setup for your machine. The pics below show an example of a ~4 amp 60 volt system that has shipped out as a replacement for a ShopBot controller. This is a basic system for a machine that has a PC router and a dust control relay. Comes complete with connection instructions, operation instructions, a plug and play system. Control PC included add your monitor, connect your motors, verify step resolution is accurate.... and run within an hour. Complete systems start around $2k and increase based on price of your desired components.

Contact Gary at GCnC411@gmail.com
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Last edited by Gary Campbell on Sat Oct 13, 2018 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
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martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:01 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: Yes
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: Yes
CPU10 or CPU7: Yes
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by martyscncgarage »

Gary is a sharp straight up guy, very knowlegable.
Marty
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
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: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by cnckeith »

nice looking build!
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: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by Gary Campbell »

Thanks Keith.

These are basic controls as many of the older shopbots didn't even use limit/home switches. There are about 5-6000 of these machines that seriously need a new controller. It's up and running, I'll get the report card in a few days.

As you can see by the attached pic of my current build, which (so far) has 70 discreet wires I'm patiently waiting on the Acorn's big brother! :)
ATC Board.jpg
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
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robtown
Posts: 96
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:13 am
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: No
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: F045DA78F172-1129181385
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No
Location: Atlanta GA

Re: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by robtown »

following up on a conversation started elsewhere.
for my 2004 PRT will this upgrade also require new stepper motors or gearboxes to achieve my stated goals? (better resolution and smoother cuts)
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: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by Gary Campbell »

Rob...
Assuming your original motors gearboxes are not worn and showing excessive backlash, there is no need to change them. These are the same components that were spec'd for a ShopBot approved system a couple years back, I have simply replaced their controller and IO board with the Centroid Acorn board and have added a setup and connected computer (for ~$200 less, by the way)

That said, adding new motors and gearboxes will improve cut quality and speed in most cases and drastically improve cut quality unless there is backlash in the existing motors. Resolution will increase from the 600-1300 range up to ~2900-3600 steps per inch. The SB controller is not fast enough to use resolution that high and rapid at normal speeds.

I have attached a doc I generated a few years back that shows how to use a dial indicator to measure the backlash. It was done on a PRS, but the same principles apply to the older PRT models.

Dial Indicator to Check Pinion Play.pdf
(317.75 KiB) Downloaded 353 times
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
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: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by Gary Campbell »

I've had a number of questions regarding operational differences between controllers, mostly ShopBot users as very few have ever seen Gcode. Seems odd that one would set out to train folks for the world dominated by gcode, then teach them a different language.

I have prepped a doc that shows how easy Centroid VCP operation is. It may be of use to other new users as well.

REZ for Acorn Startup and Operation.pdf
(1.05 MiB) Downloaded 404 times
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
martyscncgarage
Posts: 9912
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:01 pm
Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
Allin1DC CNC Controller: Yes
Oak CNC controller: No
CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC12: Yes
CNC11: Yes
CPU10 or CPU7: Yes
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by martyscncgarage »

Gary Campbell wrote: Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:04 am I've had a number of questions regarding operational differences between controllers, mostly ShopBot users as very few have ever seen Gcode. Seems odd that one would set out to train folks for the world dominated by gcode, then teach them a different language.

I have prepped a doc that shows how easy Centroid VCP operation is. It may be of use to other new users as well.


REZ for Acorn Startup and Operation.pdf
Nice work Gary...
Marty
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
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:

ShopBot Replacement Controller

Post by Gary Campbell »

COMING SOON!!!
2 Versions of ShopBot controller replacement.

Version 1) Centroid Acorn based, 48v, 4.5A max, 4 axis, spindle speed control. Includes Lenovo Win10Pro computer. Tested, setup $1795 shipped to conus. Compatible with any existing PR, PRT or PRS standard.

Version 2) Centroid Acorn based, Teknic ClearPath servos, 5:1 planetary gearboxes, motor wiring, spindle speed. Options too numerous to list here

GCnC411@gmail.com for more info
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
Chuckb
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2018 4:56 pm
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CNC Control System Serial Number: none
DC3IOB: No
CNC11: No
CPU10 or CPU7: No

Re: Custom Acorn Controller

Post by Chuckb »

I have had a Shopbot since 2000 doing light commercial projects mostly prototype work. We had a plug problem with a x motor and it took out our control system. After working with Shopbot I looked into different control systems. We also do laser work and get much more control with that controller. That is how I found Gary and the Acorn system. I can not say enough about the easy installation and the control options the Acorn had. My wife works in the shop and was always afraid to run the Shopbot because you always had to pull in programs to do much, unlike the Acorn that provides buttons to most of the setup. Gary has been super for support and setup. Coming from the Shopbot control we did run into a few things that needed to be dial in the machine and Gray jumped right in and we got all up and working. If I were a hobbyist or light commercial like us I would not go to any other control then the Acorn because of the easy operations and options that you can use and the quality support from Gary. I understand that there is talk about a less expensive control but as a hobbyist you want to turn out high quality work in a reasonable time then I would stay with the Acorn. If I had to do it over today I would buy the Acorn control from Gary in a heartbeat. The support from Gary is worth the gold. If you have any questions email me at cboden@linkmfg.com
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