Mach3 upgrade to Acorn CNC12 project

[cnc4me]

I am up and running. Still need to finish my tool touch off and homing, but I am fully functional. It was an enjoyable project and I learned alot which I will use on my next projects. I really like the product - so much better than the previous setup. No longer a MACH3 black box. Thanks to all for the help!

[ShawnM]

I'm guessing something is not wired or programmed correctly. I've never seen a VFD that requires the user to manually close a contact/switch or anything else to make it run.

[cnc4me]

I'm guessing something is not wired or programmed correctly. I've never seen a VFD that requires the user to manually close a contact/switch or anything else to make it run.

Yes, I'm sure you are correct.

I can change parameters on the VFD so the spindle turns on once the VFD gets power, but again the spindle starts turning at very low speed ("stray" voltage?)- I could not find anywhere in the Acorn wizard spindle settings to set a minimum spindle speed.

The way I have it configured now, once I open the switch I see a "BR" code (for break) displayed on the VFD then "Stop" appears - I am pretty sure there is no way I can control that with just the 0-10v analog signal from Acorn - but could be wrong.

Anyway, I am happy with the way things are working now, so thanks again for your help.

[centroid467]

The default M3, M4, and M5 macros are set up to trigger the "SpinFwd" and "SpinRev" relay outputs which should go to the VFD's "Run Forward", "Run Reverse", or "Run" input.

From your description, it sounds like you are manually triggering a "Run" or "Run Forward" input.

I believe everyone (including myself) is confused as to why the default Acorn M3/M4 behavior would not work for your drive.

[ShawnM]

I could not find anywhere in the Acorn wizard spindle settings to set a minimum spindle speed.

If you are happy then I'm happy.

You should set the minimum speed for the VFD in the VFD parameters not in the wizard.

[cnc4me]

The default M3, M4, and M5 macros are set up to trigger the "SpinFwd" and "SpinRev" relay outputs which should go to the VFD's "Run Forward", "Run Reverse", or "Run" input.

From your description, it sounds like you are manually triggering a "Run" or "Run Forward" input.

I believe everyone (including myself) is confused as to why the default Acorn M3/M4 behavior would not work for your drive.

Hey 467 - Thanks for the follow-up. I know I'm not doing a good job of explaining things here . The M3 and M5 commands work fine, but the switch on my VFD between 1 and 4 needs to be closed first - when I open it a break is applied and stop appears on the VFD.

I was able to add the close and open relay switch commands (connected to 1 and 4 on VFD) in the Centroid tool path generation template within Vetric Aspire, so now it's seamless, no manual steps.

So again - I'm sure there are better way's to do this, but I like the way it's working for me now. And I am very happy with the upgrade, so much better than Mach3 / Warp9. I finally feel like I have control over things - I would highly recommend this upgrade for others with my old setup. Wasn't difficult even for someone with limited technical expertise like myself : ) - actually I enjoyed the project. Nothing worse than your router all of a sudden having a mind of it's own. I am much more confident with my new set up.

[cnc4me]

Now that I've had everything working for sometime, I've decided to upgrade my older basic stepper motors with some new Clearpath closed loop servo's. I've located documentation and it should be an easy plug and play with the cnc4pc c86accp board with my new Acorn board.

I thought at the same time I would replace my very basic rack and pinion setup with a ball screw and maybe replace the current metal rod supports with linear rails. Can anyone suggest a good source for a decent cost effective ball screw and linear rail (I'll need two 4' and one 2'. I've found some very expensive and very inexpensive but nothing in between.

Thanks!

Bill

[ShawnM]

Now that I've had everything working for sometime, I've decided to upgrade my older basic stepper motors with some new Clearpath closed loop servo's. I've located documentation and it should be an easy plug and play with the cnc4pc c86accp board with my new Acorn board.

The C86ACCP board is far more trouble than it's worth so I wish you a lot of luck with it. It's simply not needed for any reason and only complicates things.

The Clearpath servos are awesome and are FAR superior to any stepper drive you could buy. Be sure to size them properly for your loads before you buy just any servo. Also read the manual carefully so you program them properly for Acorn and your loads. They have an auto tune feature that works great.

[cnc4me]

Thanks Shawn! I would never have guessed that from related posts, but I will take your word and go with the wiring diagram without the c86accp. Working with clearpath for right sizing, but not a straight forward process, at least for me!

I'm currently using 10 year old nema23 steppers and I thought I would just get their "most powerful" clearpath nema23's to be safe (all seem to be 4000rpm), but was told that would not be correct.

Still need to figure out how to convert from my cheap "saw tooth" rack and pinion to ball screw, if I can't do that I might just scrap the motor upgrade.