Centroid Acorn Controller - Has anyone tried one?

[Ger21]

I've heard very good things about the acorn, and if you can live with the limited I/O, and 4 axis, it may be the best hobby level control there is. Especially for lathe users.
It just doesn't have enough customization features for my needs.

[JAZZCNC]

It just doesn't have enough customization features for my needs.

Visually not so much but don't judge a book by it's cover.!! The built-in PLC is a very powerful tool and along with macros can pretty much make it do whatever you want.!... Provided you speak the Lingo.!!

Must admit thou shame about only 4 axis. I/O can be got around but not # axis.!!

[Chaz]

So I bought one of these and have replaced this Pokeys on my CNC lathe. Happy this far, anyone know how to do code up an ATC 'macro' for Centroid?

[JAZZCNC]

So I bought one of these and have replaced this Pokeys on my CNC lathe. Happy this far, anyone know how to do code up an ATC 'macro' for Centroid?

What type of atc.?

Check this out.
http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopi...52327af32d86da

[Chaz]

What type of atc.?

Check this out.
http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopi...52327af32d86da

Thanks, seen that topic but still a bit stuck. Pity, cant play with the PLC code unless connected to the Board (now in the garage).

The turret is one of these:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cCDulVashA

Standard ratchet / pawl setup.

[JAZZCNC]

Chaz give me some more info on turret ie: Distance to move per tool change.
Do you have this working on Mach3 if so then post M6.macro as it should tell everything needed to write Macro for Acorn.

[Chaz]

Chaz give me some more info on turret ie: Distance to move per tool change.
Do you have this working on Mach3 if so then post M6.macro as it should tell everything needed to write Macro for Acorn.

Thanks. I did try and email you yesterday however got a bounce from your hemsworthlad email address.

My understanding is that I need some code in cnctch.mac. I then also need to change some parameters to tell Centroid that there is an ATC. Finally, I believe the actual PLC code (not sure / where / how to edit this) contains the actual movement logic or macro. Here is the Mach 3 macro that works with this turret. The logic is fairly straight forward.



If IsLoading() Then
' Do Nothing, program loading
Else

' Dim Variables

Dim Num_Tools As Integer
Dim CW_Steps_Per_Tool As Integer
Dim CCW_Steps As Integer
Dim HoldingDRO As Integer
Dim Requested_Tool As Integer
Dim Current_Tool As Integer
Dim CW_Feed As Integer
Dim CCW_Feed As Integer

Dim moves As Integer
Dim total_move As Integer


' set up some vars

Num_Tools = 8
CW_Move_Per_Tool = 360/Num_Tools
CCW_Move = 10
HoldingDRO = 1050
Requested_Tool = GetSelectedTool()
Current_Tool = GetUserDRO(HoldingDRO)
CW_Feed = 1500
CCW_Feed = 1000
Current_Feed = GetOEMDRO(818)


' start tool change

Message ("Requested Tool No=" & Requested_Tool)

If Requested_Tool > Num_Tools Then
Message "Requested Tool No. too high, program stopped."
Code "M30"
End
End If

If Requested_Tool < 1 Then
'Message "Requested Tool No. too low, program stopped."
Code "M30"
End
End If

If Requested_Tool = Current_Tool Then
' do nothing
Else
' lets do some changing
If Requested_Tool > Current_Tool Then moves = Requested_Tool -Current_Tool
If Requested_Tool < Current_Tool Then moves = Num_Tools - Current_Tool +Requested_Tool

total_move = (moves * CW_Move_Per_Tool)+(CCW_Move/2)

Code "G91 G94" 'incremental & Feed per minute
Code "G0 A" & total_move '& "F" & CW_Feed
Code "G0 A" & "-" & CCW_Move '& "F" & CCW_Feed
While IsMoving()
Wend

SetCurrentTool Requested_Tool
SetUserDRO HoldingDRO, Requested_Tool
Code "G90" ' back to absolute movement
Code "F" & Current_Feed
End If
End If

[Chaz]

If you watch this video, you can see the cnctch.mac Tool Change Request Macro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XxCzerDKGU

Ive paused it and written (copied) the code.

IF #50001 ;Prevent lookahead
IF #4202 || #4201 THEN GOTO 1000
IF #4120 == #90014 THEN GOTO 1000

N100

G10 P1906 R1
G4 P.5
M94 /6
M101 / 70001
M95 /6

N1000

The actual logic of movement is:-

Code "G0 A" & total_move '& "F" & CW_Feed
Code "G0 A" & "-" & CCW_Move '& "F" & CCW_Feed

I assume this is the logic you need to do in the PLC?