ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Moderator: cnckeith

Post Reply
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 Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

I have been contacted by a number of SB alpha owners looking to upgrade their alpha controllers to Centroid Acorn. After doing a number of them, I have decided to offer a kit that includes the parts needed (other than the Acorn Board) to do the job. These parts are:

4 each Data cable. Oriental drive (HDI 36pin) to flying leads, 20" long (with ferrules)
1 each DB25 adapter. 4 axis step & direction terminals (4 axes, up to 5 motors)
1 each 5vdc relay module. Required for adapting (up to 4) AS30-AA 5v alarm signals to Acorn 24v input (prewired)
Each component has a sheet showing terminal/wire functions
Also included in PDF form: AS30-AA Drive manual, AS30-AA Hardware Manual, AlphaStep AS_M Manual

These manuals, along with the included parts and the SB provided schematics, provide an avenue for those that are qualified, to upgrade to a Centroid Acorn Controller in a few hours using the existing parts. This should save a significant amount over purchasing a custom control box. Assistance, for those that may require it, is available by the hour.

Price for Alpha Upgrade Kit & documentation: $265, incl shipping CONUS

GCnC411@gmail.com for more info
Attachments
DSC00519.JPG
DSC00518.JPG
DSC00517.JPG
DSC00516.JPG
DSC00515.JPG
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: ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

Due to a number of email inquiries regarding the SB alpha DIY kit, I would also add that if you do not wish to attempt this project yourself, you can simply ship your alpha control box and 1 motor (for testing) to me and we will do the upgrade conversion for you. Price for the conversion is $1200 (plus shipping) and includes the following:
Remove all wiring and drivers
Replace existing backplane with CNC drilled 16ga (larger)
Relocate components, rewire
Install Acorn Board, Acorn relay board, 4 axis alarm relay board
Includes Lenovo CNC-PC (shown here: viewtopic.php?f=62&t=2146 )
Install existing SB settings, latest version CNC12, test & tune
Includes custom "ShopBot Replacement Macros" that replicate the originals
Includes "User Connection Terminals" & "Upgrading to REZurrection for Acorn" documentation
Includes Spindle speed and logic harness, VFD reprogram instructions

Computer upgrade options available (price varies)
Centroid Wireless MPG Pendant, setup and install user selected macro to match "custom cut" files $265

For more info: GCnC411@gmail.com
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: ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

I have had a number of email enquiries regarding custom wire lengths. Yes I can make custom lengths, but the current cables are ~20" and I would suggest a layout for your components to use that length or shorter.
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: ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

For those that plan on replacing the OEM SB motors, I have the drawings and will be supplying gearbox adapter plates in both NEMA23 and NEMA34 sizes. Adapter plates are cut from .3125" precision plate and have a brushed finish. Prices are as follows:

PRS XYZ: $75 ea (NEMA23 or 34)
PRS Buddy X: $150 ea (NEMA23 or 34)
PRT XYZ: $100 ea (NEMA23 or 34)

Drawings are available for 2 different bolt patterns in both sizes to match most commonly available planetary gearbox bolt patterns. Custom patterns $25 more.

GCnC411@gmail.com for more info or a quote for your system.


Here is a set going out for a PRS Buddy with NEMA34 SureGear reduction.

DSC00533.JPG
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: ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

For those ShopBot owners looking to upgrade, for clarification, you don't need to start with an alpha model. The frames are identical.

Here is a custom, higher performance upgrade completed on a ShopBot Standard: https://youtu.be/33gLcfC59pA
https://youtu.be/33gLcfC59pA


Most users that look to upgrade do so because of the unreliable legacy USB communications protocol. That said, many, especially those that are commercial cutters or those that cut long lasting 3D files, are looking to reduce cutting times. Recent operators that have upgraded to Centroid Acorn control have reported file run times that show 15 to 45% reduction when compared to previous runs of the same files.

Commercial users that have tweaked feeds, speeds and ramp settings for production cutting will of course, show less improvement than those that have not. Those that install upgraded motors have much greater improvements than those that do not. PRS users (with hardened rails) are more likely to be able to realize greater increases in speeds than those with PRT machines. Below is a comparison between SB and Acorn control on a well tuned alpha equipped commercial machine cutting a repeat commercial job.

If you stop and took a look at the numbers listed at the end of the file you can see that reducing a 3 minute and 20 second file run by 30 seconds can generate almost 2 grand an month in additional income, virtually negating the cost of the upgrade in a couple months.


https://youtu.be/vUeE23IrZkk
https://youtu.be/vUeE23IrZkk
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: ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

Gearbox adapters for the PRT
PRT Adapters 2.jpg
PRT Adapters.jpg
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: ShopBot Alpha DIY Acorn Upgrade Kit

Post by Gary Campbell »

The last of the alpha adapter cables have been sold. I will no longer be producing them. Gearbox adapter plates are still available as a special order
GCnC Control
CNC Control & Retrofits
https://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos
Post Reply