Suggest Acorn should be bundled with a DB25

[IPGregory]

I know from my own journey, when I got my first Acorn and from what I see here on the forum so many times.

Yes, I know the manual mentions the DB25 and many forum users kindly mention it as well when it comes up. But it is NOT apparent to new users who have no prior acorn or centroid exposure.

It may have been different in times past with older drivers, etc., but I would say with current stepper setups, the majority of Acorn boards purchased today are going to need one. For the minimal cost of the boards, I suggest one should be included with new boards, with a clear separate sheet of paper in the box explaining what it is and why you might need to use it. It would save so much confusion.

[CentroidFrog]

I feel like Keith has covered this in a forum post somewhere, but can't find it.
This has been brought up in the past and it partly comes down to that term you used: "might need."
Not everyone will need this, but we'll need to charge for it regardless.
And at that we would need to up charge for it to cover our costs as well.
So in the end we'd be selling some people things they don't need, and for a higher price than they could get it themselves.

[suntravel]

I feel like Keith has covered this in a forum post somewhere, but can't find it.
This has been brought up in the past and it partly comes down to that term you used: "might need."
Not everyone will need this, but we'll need to charge for it regardless.
And at that we would need to up charge for it to cover our costs as well.
So in the end we'd be selling some people things they don't need, and for a higher price than they could get it themselves.

This is my way of thinking also, there are lot of different DB25 Breakout boards on the market, You can even use an old printer cable.

Whatever fits best to your DIY CNC project.

Uwe

[IPGregory]

Ok, I can appreciate the don't include something there is a chance won't be needed.

But what if you started including a quick guide type sheet in the box that highlights the difference between the on board and DB headers? I see so much confusion on this. It really isn't clear to new users.

[suntravel]

Ok, I can appreciate the don't include something there is a chance won't be needed.

But what if you started including a quick guide type sheet in the box that highlights the difference between the on board and DB headers? I see so much confusion on this. It really isn't clear to new users.

It is in the installation manual already Page 34

IMHO most problems could be solved by simply reading the manuals.

One of the reasons for me going with Centroid was the excellent documentation.

When I started with DIY CNC I used industrial CNC for decades, but had no clue how to build one myself.

I bought components with schematics from Centroid, followed the manuals step by step and my first try could make parts with no problems

Uwe

[IPGregory]

It is in the installation manual already Page 34

IMHO most problems could be solved by simply reading the manuals.

100% agree Uwe and yes, it is in the manual. And yes, everybody should read it. At least twice..

But look at how many times it comes up here in the forum. I know from my own original journey, it is not 'clear' to a new user and yet it is one of the initial decisions that need to be made hardware wise.

The Acorn appears to be a solution that many hobbyists use and many of them are not familiar with many of the terms and so on. At least when they start. I know when I first setup my first Acorn, I read the manual, but the DB25 need did not 'jump out' at me as being needed for my setup. A new user doesn't know what open collector means. Even something as simple as giving a more basic or descriptive explanation of the difference and how to determine what setup you have? Maybe put something earlier in the manual as a 'before you start' or something type page?

Bottom line, the need or lack of need for a DB25 is not clear to new, inexperienced users. The Acorn attracts many of those types of users.

[IPGregory]

Problem indeed solved!

Thanks Kieth.

[suntravel]

next gen acorn design will not have a db25, problem solved.

Fully automatic WLAN connection with the drivers?

Uwe

[Chaz]

next gen acorn design will not have a db25, problem solved.

Full Differential Step / Direction, pretty please?

[Chaz]

FWIW ive done quite a few Centroid conversions and some have had stepper drivers. I've not once used the DB25 and those machines ran well. Perhaps lucky? Not sure.