So you bought an Acorn....or are interested in one.

[Hondo402]

So I bought an Acorn... and I need some electrical help. Mainly choosing terminal blocks and limit switches.

My components so far:
Taig Mill with ballscrews, http://www.taigtools.com/mmill.html
Clearpath Servos, https://www.teknic.com/model-info/CPM-SDSK-2310D-RLN/
IP-5 350/500 Watt power supply for the servos
Acorn and the Meanwell 24v power supply

I have downloaded the schematics from Centroid with the Clearpaths on it. I don't have much electrical experience so I'm not sure what kind/size of terminal block to get. I don't have an electrical enclosure yet, but I doubt I'll do a DIN rail. So terminal blocks with stand offs will be probably my set up. I assume I'll need one for the 24v commons with at least 8 positions, one for the +24VDC with at least 10 positions, one for feeding into my E-stop and one for coming out and into the Acorn.

Then the limit switches, I bought some off Amazon that were way too big for my machine. The Taig is pretty small. I saw Marty likes the Yamatakes, but which ones for such a small machine?
Any help will be appreciated, even if you tell me to go read an electronics book first! Thanks

[martyscncgarage]

So I bought an Acorn... and I need some electrical help. Mainly choosing terminal blocks and limit switches.

My components so far:
Taig Mill with ballscrews, http://www.taigtools.com/mmill.html
Clearpath Servos, https://www.teknic.com/model-info/CPM-SDSK-2310D-RLN/
IP-5 350/500 Watt power supply for the servos
Acorn and the Meanwell 24v power supply

I have downloaded the schematics from Centroid with the Clearpaths on it. I don't have much electrical experience so I'm not sure what kind/size of terminal block to get. I don't have an electrical enclosure yet, but I doubt I'll do a DIN rail. So terminal blocks with stand offs will be probably my set up. I assume I'll need one for the 24v commons with at least 8 positions, one for the +24VDC with at least 10 positions, one for feeding into my E-stop and one for coming out and into the Acorn.

Then the limit switches, I bought some off Amazon that were way too big for my machine. The Taig is pretty small. I saw Marty likes the Yamatakes, but which ones for such a small machine?
Any help will be appreciated, even if you tell me to go read an electronics book first! Thanks

Welcome!
You don't "NEED" limit switches but they are handy.
For micro switches, look at the CHERRY Brand. You need ONE for each axis
Example: http://r.ebay.com/bVRf1m

Can you solder? Or know someone that can? Any buddies with electrical/electronics exerience?
The Centroid Schematics are pretty good. Suggest you build everthing on the work bench, then figure out what sort of enclosure you need and size.
You will need the PC and Touchscreen monitor too.

You can do it! Clearpath is a good choice. What power supply are you using for the Clearpath motors?

Marty

[Hondo402]

Yeah, Marty I can solder. The power supply for the Clearpaths is the one from the Teknic website I bought the Clearpaths from, the IP-5. So, I'll have to chain the motor power together, which shouldn't be a problem. Choosing the terminal blocks has been a bit confusing though. Just so many to look through. Thanks for the help and great videos!
I'll go with the ASUS monitor you suggested in other posts and one of the HP 8200 PCs you guys talked about also.

Brian

[DICKEYBIRD]

I don't have an electrical enclosure yet, but I doubt I'll do a DIN rail.

See if you can find a used 24"x24" Hoffman box on ebay or Craigslist. You can find them at times with DIN rail & usable components already there. Rough on the outside can easily be fixed with a can of spray paint. You won't regret it!

[ScotY]

My setup is very similar to yours. I picked up some limit switches off eBay from a company called Temco. They sell 2 sizes. I have both sizes but am using the larger red/black ones. They seem pretty good and are very inexpensive. I got both the long and short arm style and have found the longer ones easier to install. I’m using some cheap terminal strip blocks, also off eBay. Serviceable but kinda crappy. I had some gold plated terminal blocks from a long time back that I like a lot but seems no one sells them anymore.

[martyscncgarage]

Go to Jameco.com search cinch 140 series
Also search barrier terminal blocks
Marty

[ScotY]

Go to Jameco.com search cinch 140 series
Also search barrier terminal blocks
Marty

Hi Marty,
Those look good and the price is also good. I’ll pick some up on my next order.
I’ll attach a pic of my enclosure and wiring. It’s mostly done except for some future stuff I want to do.

[martyscncgarage]

Nice. Where did you buy the enclosure?

[Gary Campbell]

Marty...
Not sure where Scot gets his, but I buy 50+ of these a year: http://www.factorymation.com/wallmount_ ... losures_SB

Possibly soon to come:

[ScotY]

That’s a cool panel, Gary. What kind of connectors are they?

I bought my enclosure off Amazon. Hard to search for stuff there and the price changes depending on size and type of plastic it’s made of. I’ll attach a pic of the one I got...under $40. The perforated plastic panel for inside was almost $20 which seems ridiculous but it was really nice to have and saved me a lot of time. I thought the enclosure was more than big enough, but it was quite a squeeze to get everything in there. I’m still searching for the ideal DB9 connector. I’ve got a couple of different ones but they’re all too tall and I wouldn’t be able to shut the door.