I'm completely new to CNC machining and will be building my first CNC router using the Centroid Acorn, Clearpaths and some THK/HIWIN linear actuators on a 300kg precision granite slab.
I have a question regarding how many Axis's I can use. It seems like Acorn only allows 4 axis, but I can see on the C86ACCP board has ports for 5.
Okay, so I hear you saying to yourself "why would you need 5 axis for a router?"
Please refer to the picture I have provided of a rough design for my router and you will see why I require 5 axis. https://ibb.co/tpL9nBd
As you can see - I need 1 motor for X, 2 motors for Y and 2 for Z.
I know I can redesign the gantry so I would only need 4 axis, but I don't think the Z axis would be rigid enough with just one linear actuator for the Z axis and on top of that, I would lose about 100mm of Y travel.
So my question is - can I slave the 2 Y axis and the 2 Z axis?
hello!
yes you can hardware pair two Z axis motors. but it is unnecessary with this a gantry machine design.
the design shown adds unnecessary cost and complexity and adds room for operational errors.
make the gantry rigid and put a good quality ballscrew on the Z and size the axis motor properly with a brake and it works great.
Take inspiration here, thats IMHO a cool rigid design:
and yes use Acorn 6 with AC Servos like Delta or JMC. Acorn 6 gives you 2 paired axis for Y and 2 more axis for a rotary and umbrella tool changer or a 5 axis table, and it is fast and smooth.
Make the supporting stand at least as wide as the base plate or wider
Uwe
Re: HELP! 5 Axis with clearpaths and C86ACCP?
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:13 pm
by boristouchstone
cnckeith wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:48 pm
hello!
yes you can hardware pair two Z axis motors. but it is unnecessary with this a gantry machine design.
the design shown adds unnecessary cost and complexity and adds room for operational errors.
make the gantry rigid and put a good quality ballscrew on the Z and size the axis motor properly with a brake and it works great.
WOW, thank you for your reply. I wasn't expecting one so quickly!
Just FYI, I'm not a machinest or tradie and the tools I have at the disposal are extremely limited.
With what I have available, I don't think I can make the Z more rigid.
I know going with a dual Z set up would be more costly (I would have to purchase another linear actuator, another clearpath motor and anothe brake!) and increase the complexity, but I just don't know what else to do.
I would love to get my hands on one, but they are only being sold in the US and I am in Sweden.
Re: HELP! 5 Axis with clearpaths and C86ACCP?
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:19 pm
by boristouchstone
suntravel wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:10 pm
Really?
This design is not rigid, even with granite.
Take inspiration here, thats IMHO a cool rigid design:
and yes use Acorn 6 with AC Servos like Delta or JMC. Acorn 6 gives you 2 paired axis for Y and 2 more axis for a rotary and umbrella tool changer or a 5 axis table, and it is fast and smooth.
Make the supporting stand at least as wide as the base plate or wider
USA sales only for a little while. thanks for your patience.
Re: HELP! 5 Axis with clearpaths and C86ACCP?
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2022 5:10 pm
by suntravel
boristouchstone wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:13 pm
----- and the tools I have at the disposal are extremely limited.
......
Well I am in the CNC business a long time, but for my hobby CNC I bought manual chinese crappy machines and build every part with them for making them fast precise CNC toys, no cheating using the pro machines on my workplace
With some planning you can build a ultra rigid CNC router from granite using only Makita drills and a cheap CNC mill for starting....
