CNC4PC C86ACCP for ClearPath SDSK servos

[Richards]

Thanks for the info about the MSP software.

All I did was to connect the four jumpers for the X-slave to positions 2-3 an then connect the motor's data cable to the Slave connector.

[Dmiller223]

So I am currently running clear paths but considering picking one of these up as the pcb’s I’m using are starting to fail, so want to switch over to this set up, my question is on the directions on the website it says to use his report, I have tons of macros and settings that I don’t want to take a chance of losing by installing his report, can I simply just hook this up to the board and motors and be back up and running?

[RogDC]

So I am currently running clear paths but considering picking one of these up as the pcb’s I’m using are starting to fail, so want to switch over to this set up, my question is on the directions on the website it says to use his report, I have tons of macros and settings that I don’t want to take a chance of losing by installing his report, can I simply just hook this up to the board and motors and be back up and running?

I would wait for more success stories. I have not had such a success story as Mike has had, my experience has been the complete opposite. The jumpers won't even stay on the pins on the board I received and the slave port does not provide an enable signal to any motor connected to it. I am not sure how I am expected to test and take valid photos to prove to Arturo that I am following his directions when the jumpers won't stay on the pins and fall off when you connect the C86ACCP to the Acorn. Based on my experience I would consider this to be a product still under development; not something I want to place trust in for my mill.

Do not load the CNC4PC Report with V4.5, it will leave part of your configuration inaccessible in the Wizard. I had to completely remove and reinstall the Centroid Mill Software to be able to configure my inputs after installing the C86ACCP report. I was able to move 4/5 motors on 4 axis' by selecting the Teknic/Clearpath Servo setting in the wizard without the report installed.

Just for the record, any motor connected to the slave connector would not rotate. I didn't come to the forum here with the issues as I had 4 axis working, just not the slaved motor position which is solely on the C86ACCP. All 5 motors worked on the bench wired up following Centroid's wiring schematic- I did have to reverse the direction on the Y slave with Teknic's MSP software (easy) since you can't do it with the wiring.

What type of circuit boards are you running which are starting to fail?

[Dmiller223]

Thanks for the info! As far as the boards I don’t know who made them, or if they even have a name. I had the router put together for me and they came with it. Wish I could have been more help. Just trying to come up with a simple solution as it’s only my z motor and pcb that is having issues

[swissi]

...Do not load the CNC4PC Report with V4.5, it will leave part of your configuration inaccessible in the Wizard. I had to completely remove and reinstall the Centroid Mill Software to be able to configure my inputs after installing the C86ACCP report.

When you loaded the CNC4PC Report file you must have clicked "Update Wizard w/custom PLC in use"

This will block the Wizard from making changes to the Input/Output section as this would overwrite the custom PLC.

You can easily change this back in the Wizard -> Preferences by setting the slider "Custom PLC" back to "NO" and no re-install of CNC12 will be necessary.

-swissi

[Richards]

Here's my setup when using a slave motor:

C86ACCP Setup

1. Moved all jumpers from “Hard” to “Soft”

2. All Active Axis jumpered “Off”

3. Set Acorn Enable jumper “On”

4. Left factory jumper wire on terminal block next to Acorn Enable jumper

5. Set all slave jumpers to pins 2 and 3 so that the slave motor follows the X-axis motor

6. Connected C86ACCP N/O terminal to Acorn Input 1 (Drive_Ok)

7. Connected C86ACCP Common (Middle) terminal to GND

8. Powered up Acorn and started CNC v 4.20

9. Pressed cycle start to enable motors

10. Used Wizard to configure Input 1 as Drive-OK

11. Restarted Acorn

12. Moved X-axis and Y-axis from Virtual Jog Panel. Motors responded properly

13. Manually turned ClearPath SDSK-2310S-RLN shaft until the drive faulted

14. Acorn detected fault

15. Reset Acorn and pressed Cycle Start. Servo motor was re-enabled

16. Entered a short program via MDI. Everything worked as expected

I don't remember how the Acorn Enable jumper was set by the factory. As step three notes, it is set to the ON position so that the Acorn' controls the Enable signal. I have two C86ACCP boards. One has three ClearPath SDSK-2321S-RLN motors (X, Y, and Z axes for a mill). The other has two ClearPath SDSK-3421P-RLN motors (X and Z axes for a lathe).

[arturod]

Richard,
What you are describing is how it is supposed to work.
Normally we recommend enabling the system using the axis enable signal as it is simpler and does not require additional wiring. The boards are shipped with both enable inputs jumped. The idea is that you move the jumper to use one of the enable signals. The axis enable or the NO_FAULT signal coming from a relay.
As far as I can tell this is working correctly. I understand Craig had an issue setting the jumpers for the slave axis. I am not sure what the issue is, but we are shipping the board back for inspection.

[RogDC]

Arturo,
There are TWO known issues with the board I received. Hopefully you will understand there are two separate issues on this board, and it is unfortunate that it was overlooked in the ticket.

I understand Craig had an issue setting the jumpers for the slave axis. I am not sure what the issue is, but we are shipping the board back for inspection.

For the record, I did not have an issue setting the jumpers, the jumpers provided with the board failed. After moving jumpers to match your troubleshooting direction after 4 days, many of the jumpers would not stay on the board. What is the cycle rating of the jumpers you spec ?

The ORIGINALfailure of the slaved axis my jumpers were set just like Mike's settings posted above which you state are correct. I am very well qualified in placing jumpers on boards, have been for quite some time. Some of the methods have been solder bridges, wire wrapping, clipping diodes, and placing header jumpers across pins. If Mikes settings are correct and working, why did it not work on the board I received? My settings were identical except for slaving Y axis, not X Axis.

The original issue is none ( 5 out of 5) of the motors plugged into the slave port would operate normally, however would work when plugged into any other port. Since the indication on the motor was it was not receiving an enable signal, I validated my wiring by moving the control cable to other ports which functioned properly, in addition to continuity tests end to end. Since the motor is slaved, this isolated the failure to the C86ACCP board.

The SUBSEQUENT issue which occurred during the 4 days of troubleshooting with you was the jumpers would not stay on the pins on the board and you kept focusing on my wiring as the problem. I'm not sure why this was not comprehended in the ticket but was comprehended on a forum post.

In step #5 above for setting slave, I had my jumpers set on #2-3 just like Mike, and you told me I had them incorrect. You told me they needed to be like the image you sent which was 1-2. I moved the jumpers from 2-3 to 1-2 as directed, same resulting failure. I had the settings originally as Mike states above except for slaving Y axis, not X Axis, and the troubleshooting direction given was far from the steps above and was similar to grasping for straws to try to get something to work. I fail to understand how moving jumpers which are set for 4 axis of movement and providing 4 axis of proper movement will correct what is wrong with the slave port.

I'm not sure how many customers have previously had this board which I received, but this is the first time I have had jumpers fail to the point where they would not maintain contact with the pins. When you have a second hardware failure such as this, there is no further point in testing when there are two failures, one of which is required for troubleshooting.

So after two weeks of lost time I am reverting to a proven method of wiring to the acorn and relay boards as it worked on the bench. Time to go reconfigure my control cabinet.......so much for time and cost and space savings.

Not taking proper ownership of the problem does not sit very well with me. Avoiding replacing the board during troubleshooting and then offering to replace the board after a forum post speaks volumes about a company.

[martyscncgarage]

Arturo is trying to help. If you follow his advice and directions and can not get it to work, then take it up with him directly. This is a Centroid users forum. Other users have successfully used the board. I have not tested it myself. The only time a jumper would not stay on the pins is when I found out the metal shorting insert was missing. With out seeing pictures or a video clip, hard to say what is going on.

Your other alternative is to try and use the Centroid schematic for Clearpath in lieu of the CNC4PC board.
If it were me, I'd try and help diagnose the board, but that would take some electronics skills to do. It's a great concept.

In your case, please work with CNC4PC directly to resolve the issue. Arturo is generally good to work with and tries to do right by folks.

Good luck, I hope you are able to get it resolved. If you do, please let us know how it worked out.
Marty

[RogDC]

Marty,
I have electronics skills to troubleshoot and was expecting to do actual troubleshooting rather than just move jumpers. The board has potential and makes for a clean install. To be fair, some other users have not had success along with the users who have had success. Unfortunately I fall into the no success category.

At this time I am not willing to put any more time towards troubleshooting the board. I am reverting to to the Centroid schematic for Clearpath, it worked on the bench just fine.

I'll post photos of my adaptation since the control cables are terminated to 8 Pin Molex Mini-Fit and no longer long enough to make it to every termination in the control box the wires need to reach.