Retrofit My Build Looking at Switching from Mach4 to Centroid System

[ShawnM]

I'm assuming if I ever update CNC12 I will need to replace those files each time? Hopefully they won't need to be redone with new updates if that's the case.

There is no such thing as an "update" with CNC12. Every new version released by Centroid is a completely new piece of software. You'll never "update" CNC12. You'll install a new version every time which will backup your current version if you like.

And yes, you'll have to copy over any custom files you created to the new software.

[centroid467]

Also is there a way to enable increasing the feed rate or spindle speed using the pendant or onscreen? I'm still getting used to the way this system is cutting and find that a lot of my feeds and speeds were way more conservative in Mach4. If I want to be able to go faster because it is cutting way better I have to redo my gcode file and have the feeds and speeds way higher and then ramp them down as needed. I did like in Mach4 being able to go over what the feeds and speeds were set at in the file.

Do you mean increasing the limit of feedrate override to higher than 100%? Set parameter 039 to something greater than 100. I believe the maximum is 200%.

You can also do this from the Wizard on the CNC Control Preferences page.

Please note that it is best practice to increase the speeds in the gcode rather than rely on the override.

[ShawnM]

Please note that it is best practice to increase the speeds in the gcode rather than rely on the override.

So true. It's a bad idea to set the feed rate on your design to 100 IPM and then speed it up from the VCP or WMPG to anything higher, especially if you use smoothing. I'd suggest to not start this bad habit.

Your old g code is easy enough to edit once you load the file to cut. You can change the feeds and speeds manually in the g code once you load the file if you know what you are looking for.

Once you find that "happy place" for feeds and speeds then edit your CAM file with the correct numbers and then post it again so you can run the software at 100%. Make sense?

[Allin1Chris]

Awesome, thank you very much!

I'm assuming if I ever update CNC12 I will need to replace those files each time? Hopefully they won't need to be redone with new updates if that's the case.

These changes were implemented in the stock PLC, so they should appear in V5.24+, so should not need to replace the files down the road. I think the new logic is much improved and i could not think of a case that it would be detrimental. Assuming further testing does not show a flaw in the new plc logic either.

Also is there a way to enable increasing the feed rate or spindle speed using the pendant or onscreen? I'm still getting used to the way this system is cutting and find that a lot of my feeds and speeds were way more conservative in Mach4. If I want to be able to go faster because it is cutting way better I have to redo my gcode file and have the feeds and speeds way higher and then ramp them down as needed. I did like in Mach4 being able to go over what the feeds and speeds were set at in the file.

In the Wizard under Preferences, CNC Control you can set the Feedrate Override: Maximum percentage higher. Maximum is 200% that it can be set too. Its parameter 39, reading the manual will tell you that it can cause overshooting of the axis if the axis is moving at high speeds already, so keep that in mind as you adjust your feedrate % higher. (Edit, did not realize both Shawn and 467 responded already, as they mention, it is generally better to modify the g-code feedrates to the correct speed and not rely on setting the feedrate% higher all the time.)

[Onawa220]

Awesome, thank you very much!

I'm assuming if I ever update CNC12 I will need to replace those files each time? Hopefully they won't need to be redone with new updates if that's the case.

These changes were implemented in the stock PLC, so they should appear in V5.24+, so should not need to replace the files down the road. I think the new logic is much improved and i could not think of a case that it would be detrimental. Assuming further testing does not show a flaw in the new plc logic either.

Also is there a way to enable increasing the feed rate or spindle speed using the pendant or onscreen? I'm still getting used to the way this system is cutting and find that a lot of my feeds and speeds were way more conservative in Mach4. If I want to be able to go faster because it is cutting way better I have to redo my gcode file and have the feeds and speeds way higher and then ramp them down as needed. I did like in Mach4 being able to go over what the feeds and speeds were set at in the file.

In the Wizard under Preferences, CNC Control you can set the Feedrate Override: Maximum percentage higher. Maximum is 200% that it can be set too. Its parameter 39, reading the manual will tell you that it can cause overshooting of the axis if the axis is moving at high speeds already, so keep that in mind as you adjust your feedrate % higher. (Edit, did not realize both Shawn and 467 responded already, as they mention, it is generally better to modify the g-code feedrates to the correct speed and not rely on setting the feedrate% higher all the time.)

Thanks everyone for the reply. I totally agree it's better to have the feeds and speeds already set in gcode and I usually do but this system works so much better and things move so much smoother I find a lot of my older tool settings are very conservative and I like being able to to fine tune depending on how the cut sounds.

[cnckeith]

correct do no run an actual job above 100% feedrate override. if you need it to go faster, edit the F command in the g code.

[Onawa220]

cnckeith I'm told you may be able to tell me what to select in Lightburn to output the proper gcode for Acorn. Their settings mainly focus on all in one systems that Lightburn can control. I just want to be able to output the proper Gcode to run on my AcornSIX machine.

[cnckeith]

cnckeith I'm told you may be able to tell me what to select in Lightburn to output the proper gcode for Acorn. Their settings mainly focus on all in one systems that Lightburn can control. I just want to be able to output the proper Gcode to run on my AcornSIX machine.

hi, we have been using laser grbl to generate g code which is documented here.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... r_cnc.html

others have been using Lightburn or Vectric

a quick google search on the subject and it looks like lightburn will let you put in a header/footer like laser grbl and others but doesn't have a direct post processor method? https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/c ... ator/71515

hopefully someone that is using Lightburn can chime in.

[suntravel]

I am using Lightburn with GRBL output, and run the Npp macro from sword.

Setup described here:

https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic. ... urn#p67339

Uwe

[Sword]

Use the GRBL output and then "Save to G-code", along with the custom start/end code option in machine settings. Then if you need some further editing of the saved G-code, open it in Notepad++ and make a macro to do any of that. My macro starts at the first line and automatically makes all the needed changes and then saves the file.

Further info...https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic. ... 920#p72920