SimCNC- any users?

[Steve_p]

It doesn't end at the pro licence either, ATC is another extra cost. I' was considering using the OAK for the Fadal conversion untill I realised and checked with them that the ATC is another extra $550, as is ridged tapping and just to add insult to injury your limited to 4Mb G-code files and if you want to unlock to unlimited G-code it's another $250. So that's an extra $1350 on top of the $1600 for the basic controller. Then they want $105 per cable for each axis servo drives to fit there custom 50 pin connector. So that's $3300 plus shipping/taxes just for the controller and software with ATC, ridged tapping and unlimited G-code all of which should come as stanard in my book. Plus it still needs a fairly decent PC and touch screen monitor to get the best from it.

Compare this with the $5000 I've just paid for stand alone Industrial closed loop Absolute controller with 3 x 1.5Kw AC absolute Servo's/drives/cables and 7.5Kw Servo spindle/Drive deliverd to my door. All of which comes with as standard ATC, ridged tapping and large onboard memory for program storage with unlimited USB/Rs485 drip feeding and it's a joke.

Oh and they won't even entertain talking to you on the phone unless you take the support package. Instead they shunt you off to the forum.!!!

I think all those extras are for the Oak, not Acorn, right? The Acorn has rigid tapping/CSS and ATC capability included in the $299 price, but if you need more than 8 inputs or 8 outputs you have to get a 1616 board for another $299.

Have you got a link for your $5k package? I've got a full size VMC which breaks down quite regularly, it has a Mitsubishi control and each repair is £1500 minimum even if I find the parts on ebay (which I guess puts the more industrial end of the Centroid price scale into some kind of perspective, perhaps a fairer comparison than the hobby end of the market.) I was thinking of putting an oak or similar into it but as you say it's not a cheap option considering I'd have to get new drives and possibly motors. Can it handle chain/arm-type toolchangers? And is there any support available or are are you stuck with deciphering a chinglish manual?

(Talking of my VMC reminds me that on one occasion when a technician came (from the original manufacturer) to fix my British-built VMC, he told me how they gave up years ago manufacturing machines when they realised that you could buy an imported complete machine for not much more than what they were paying Mitsubishi or Fanuc just for the OEM control package.. )

[Clive S]

Have you got a link for your $5k package? I've got a full size VMC which breaks down quite regularly, it has a Mitsubishi control and each repair is £1500 minimum even if I find the parts on ebay (which I guess puts the more industrial end of the Centroid price scale into some kind of perspective, perhaps a fairer comparison than the hobby end of the market.) I was thinking of putting an oak or similar into it but as you say it's not a cheap option considering I'd have to get new drives and possibly motors. Can it handle chain/arm-type toolchangers? And is there any support available or are are you stuck with deciphering a chinglish manual?

http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/13236...370#post117370

[JAZZCNC]

I think all those extras are for the Oak, not Acorn, right? The Acorn has rigid tapping/CSS and ATC capability included in the $299 price, but if you need more than 8 inputs or 8 outputs you have to get a 1616 board for another $299.

Have you got a link for your $5k package?

Oh I forgot to add 1616 board to that shopping list because still not enough I/O on the OAK for ATC, so ye another $299.!!

I didn't think the Acorn could use the 1616 boards.? I've got one of the very first acorn boards and I'm pretty sure that can't use any I/O boards. Maybe they have changed this.?
If your correct and Acorn does come with ATC, Ridged tapping, etc then that makes a mockery of there pricing and reasoning they give for why they charge as they do on the OAK.

Clive pointed you to where and what I bought.

[Chaz]

Oh I forgot to add 1616 board to that shopping list because still not enough I/O on the OAK for ATC, so ye another $299.!!

I didn't think the Acorn could use the 1616 boards.? I've got one of the very first acorn boards and I'm pretty sure that can't use any I/O boards. Maybe they have changed this.?
If your correct and Acorn does come with ATC, Ridged tapping, etc then that makes a mockery of there pricing and reasoning they give for why they charge as they do on the OAK.

Clive pointed you to where and what I bought.

Eth 16/16 for Acorn was launched a month or 3 ago.

[Steve_p]

Eth 16/16 for Acorn was launched a month or 3 ago.

I’ve just put an acorn in a lathe with an 8 tool turret, grey code position logic- centroid supply the necessary parameter settings to do it (was a literally a 10 minute job) but they’re adding atc setup into the wizard (with options for carousel or rack etc) in the next release. And I put an encoder on the spindle for threading and tapping, the input for that is included on the basic acorn board. So yeah acorn is actually a pretty good deal compared to oak, but I guess they’re thinking that the open and closed loop solutions are targeting totally different markets (with different budgets.)

[JAZZCNC]

So yeah acorn is actually a pretty good deal compared to oak, but I guess they’re thinking that the open and closed loop solutions are targeting totally different markets (with different budgets.)

Yes they are just profiteering off industry which is wrong. End of day that just costs the public because industry just pass it on.
Wonder how many sales they have lost because of this policy.? because I can't imagine anyone who like me is just retrofitting the odd machine and knows that the Acorn comes with all this extra functionality for less than half the price will buy an OAK. Esp when they can buy the controllers like I've just ordered from china for 1/3rd the price.

On that note just to answer your question about ATC and chain type then yes it can. We have just setup a What's App group with the engineer who is setting up the controller so I asked him.