Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Hi

I thought id start a new topic in regard to this

as was going off track on another similar post

I am building a new CNC and i bought the acorn thinking that it was ready to use as AXIS NUMBER 4 !

I want to Slave my Y AXIS To MY 4th Axis, I.E. The A Axis

So that when i Move Y Axis the A Axis will move in the same direction



The Y Axis will have two x Ball screws and 2 x nemas 23 motors with two x drivers

So can you tell me the best way to do this?

thanks for your time

P.S. Ive got another CNC System i converted and its using a chinese motoion controller and mach3 and all i did was wire in the 4th Axis the same as the other 3 XYZ

ALL i had to do in Mach3 is go into the settings and slave the A Axis and bingo worked! didnt have to upgrade to any PRO Version for that to work!

So im asking please how do i do the same thing with ACORN? im confused by the replies so thought best to start a new topic

adam

Adam,

On your old Mach3 system where you slaved the two axis by checking a box, you can do that with the demo version, but if you want to run a file larger than 500 lines you have to upgrade to a pro or licensed version don't you?

You can do the exact same thing with Acron and CNC12, simply checking a box to slaved axis, but you have to upgrade to the pro or licensed version. Acorn is limited, similar to Mach3, to 50kb file regardless of the number of lines and some advanced features are locked out.

You can hardware pair the drives with the "free" version of CNC12 but remember the software is still limited to a 50kb file.

You cannot run a complex part on either Mach3 or CNC12 without buying the licensed version. So in essence they are the same, limited programs until you purchase the licensed or pro version to unlock its full potential. Neither of the pro or licensed versions are "free" and we all are aware of these limitation in both pieces of software. Please get over the fact that the software is not free and stop comparing it to Mach3 and saying it was free. If you have a bootleg copy of Mach3 then maybe it was free. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Please download this PDF and read it front to back.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _guide.pdf

When you "hardware" pair two axis you simply wire the step and direction from the two drives to the same output on the Acorn. Take both -step and -direction wires from the two drives you want to pair and wire them to the same step and direction terminals on your breakout board. When hardware paring , if you need to reverse one of the motors you reverse the motor wires where they hook to the drive on the drive.

With all that said, if you are going to upgrade to the pro license then don't bother with any of what I just said and wire each one to it's one axis on the board and "check" the box in the wizard to pair the 4th axis to your Y axis. And if you need to reverse the motor direction you simply check another box.

Again, you cannot run large or complex parts with the FREE version of CNC12 (or crappy old Mach3) so just accept that you need to upgrade the software to the PRO version. It'll make your life easier, oh and ours as well. CNC12 comes as free, limited software so you can at least get the system configured and working and even do limited test cuts with the machine. If you want to simply cut out squares all day then the free version is all you need.

I'm here to help in anyway I can but if you hardware pair and then in a month are frustrated that you can't cut large or complex parts please don't come back here and complain about it. I'll simply say "I told you so". But then I'll help you unpair the axis so you can do software paring. And then you can also have the machine auto square itself.

Let us know how it works out for you.

ALL i had to do in Mach3 is go into the settings and slave the A Axis and bingo worked!

So im asking please how do i do the same thing with ACORN?

It's just as simple, but you have 2 options:

1) hardware pairing by sistering the step/direction wires to the drive
2) software pairing by buying the pro license and checking the box in the wizard

Yeah, what Gary said.

So simply put to use THAT Pesky 4th AXIS output on the Pesky Acorn board! and use it via the DB25 4TH AXIS OUTPUT

I have to pay more money for the PRO Version?

Wish they made that a bit clearer!

You can use the 4th AXIS output but you need the pro version!!!!!!!!!!

Thats right isnt it!

PITA

Thanks for the manual Shawn that helps!

DECIDED On using you stepper drives now

THE Rta are a PITA To fit as the terminal crimps are tiny and very hard and awkward to crimp!

Just about done it then noticed all the 5v will have to be looped, so think i will just go for some cheaper DM556 ones for now

You can use the 4th AXIS output but you need the pro version!!!!!!!!!!

Thats right isnt it!

No, not correct. Since it is unlikely that you will need autosquaring with dual ballscrew drive, just use hardware pairing. Its easier. and you'll like it cuz its cheaper. Over 50% of the stepper systems Ive built have been hardware paired. (with the Pro license)

lol

I'm coming off medication so my head is a bit fried!

Im more confused now Gary !

You said hardware pairing then you mention with pro version?

I will be buying the pro version soon, but as i wasnt aware id have too! and the fact the system hasnt even been plugged into a PC yet and im unable to even test CNC12 As you cant just try it out needs to be connected up!

Anyway guys ive just removed the pesky RTA drivers and ordered 4 x Gecko G-201X

No i will order the PRO version soon and do it via the software, But i cant help feeling ive been cheated here!

4TH AXIS WITH ACORN CNC YEAH

But its limited isnt it!

States a 4th Axis

But has limitations!