Suggest Acorn should be bundled with a DB25

[cnckeith]

yeah, i added it to the start here web page as well. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... guide.html
we need a new video showing Acorn being hookup up to a modern stepper drive in place of that old G540, who wants to do it? DM me if you need some gear in trade for how to videos.

[ShawnM]

BINGO, reading the manuals would solve probably half the questions on this forum. It's amazing how many buy an Acorn and don't bother to read anything.

I agree we still see this question and/or "my motors wont move" posts and they will continue to come up but not only is this question answered in black and white in the manual there's even a PICTURE that shows where stepper drives connect and where servo drives connect. Hell, they even put a link to where you can purchase the DB25 if you have stepper drives. Again, not sure they could make this any more simple.
people would just take the time to read the documentation they were provided with their product. Especially if you are NEW to CNC.

But I have to disagree with your "yes and no" answer. Many new users are just "skimming" the manual and are itching and more focused on just seeing things move and don't want to be bothered with actually reading the manual and understanding it. I get it, I was too. But the answers are there if people would just take the time to read the documentation they were provided with their product. Especially if you are NEW to CNC.

You're making my point...

New users, may or may not read the manual. New users, may or may not 'understand' the manual, or at least parts of it.

The disconnect here I think is audience. If you sell a Hickory, or an Oak or similar, you assume a particular (probably experienced) audience. Acorn seems to be catering to a slightly different market (maybe new or inexperienced) to some degree. Since its apparent that the manual alone is not fulfilling its purpose, I go back to my point about should there be additional documentation in the form of something like a 'quick start guide' for want of a better word. We see manufacturers doing it all the time nowadays. Even a single printed page included in the box with something like 'STOP, what type of drive are you planning to use, etc., etc.?'.

If as Keith says, the Acorn is being replaced and the new one won't have a DB25, this is all moot. If not, then the current docs approach 'aint workin' for at least some of the people who are choosing to buy Acorns..

Blaming the user (even if they are at fault), is often not the best answer.

LOL, and you're making my point.....RTFM.

If one does actually read the manual and doesn't understand something does that mean they should just start wiring up their controller first and then ask questions later when it doesn't work? Come on, some common sense has to come in to play somewhere, wouldn't you agree?

These components can be expensive to some users and damaging one or more of them because you didn't read the manuals and/or schematics and wired it up incorrectly can ruin your day. Not sure why anyone wouldn't read the manuals to make sure they are doing it correctly.

Short of Centroid sending a technician to your house or shop and holding your hand I'm not sure what else they could do. Keith stated "don't know how much more i can do on this subject" and he's right.