Thanks for taking the time to make the video. The fact UCCNC require customers to repurchase the software for a hardware failure is unorthodox and a deal breaker for me. They are being lazy and cheap and not investing in the coding/binding process and dumping that on the customer. After 17years I am ready to move on from Mach but this road is not fully paved for me.
Thanks. Give the Centroid Acorn serious consideration. I've been using the system on my mill and my lathe for quite some time now and I have no regrets.
Good to finally meet you Franco 😀. I am intrigued by the board/software and I can see myself switching from M3. Good job highlighting the pros of this package so far. Anything you don't like about it?
Hi. I finally got up enough courage to be seen. ;) Here are a few things that I wish were different. 1.) I wish there were more inputs and outputs. 2.) Each limit switch requires a dedicated input - I wish I could wire them all into one input. 3.) I like the encoder input as that is the most accurate way to read the spindle, but reading a single pulse per revolution is really easy and, for some people, is good enough to get RPM feedback. But, I really do like the Acorn and I'm converting all of my stuff over to it. TTYL.
I Love the centroid option, just really hope they add serial comms (modbus) to it at some point. Finally some competition for mach and linuxCNC. I have to stay with Mach until centroid adds serial comms, hopefully.
Franco, I like all your videos. Great work on all the mini lathe content. If you get this comment, I have a question. Where did you get the ball screw cover? I have searched for some like yours but, maybe they are not made anymore. Hope to hear from you. Marty
Very nice video. I have the same grizzly lathe and am ready to pull the trigger on a CNC conversion. Do you have any tips or tricks that you learned along the way doing this that you could pass on?
You certainly can convert these little lathes over to CNC. But don't expect them to help extremely precise tolerances. The way the saddle is constructed is not the best for CNC conversion. Honestly, I really haven't seen any manual lathes that are ideally suited for CNC conversion. But, it can be done.
Nice, I am planning also of buying acorn controller this month ang convert my mini lathe on cnc. What spindle motor do you used on your mini lathe? Because I am planning also of upgrading my spindle. Thanks for you video...
Nice vid! :) I didn't quite hear the part about the Pro software upgrade being only $99. Last time I looked, I got it in my head that I needed the $499 version. I checked the site and see that the Pro is only $99 for both the mill and the lathe. I was looking at the mill before. I'll have to look at it a bit closer to see if I can figure out why I thought I needed the bigger one. Is the $99 option a new option? Just under $400 to convert. I really need to get some funds together to do this to my lathe!! :) Thanks for the vid and the info. :)
Any cnc software can work well if the user knows how use it right or correctly but Centroid is less troubleshooting than Mach3 or Mach4 and easy to setup and use it. I’m have 2 Acorn installed and work more stable then Mach3 or 4!!! People need to use it before posting opinions!
I agree 100%. I'm glad Artsoft released Mach3 back in the day and a lot of people used that software. But, I've converted all of my stuff over to Centroid and I'm extremely pleased - especially on my lathe. Turning always seemed to be a weakness for Mach3 but Centroid does a great job with it. And, the Acorn system is MUCH easier to setup and configure than Mach3 or Mach4.
Hi Sir I just got set up Centroid Arcon. But I do not know how to run a program. can you help please. I have the pipe chuck in 4th Axis. And Need to drill hole on different angle and distance with X travel . Thanks you very much for your help. Tony
Thank you-for the informative video! I have been running Mach3 on older Windows XP machines, too (Lathes, mill, Router).. Thinking about trying a Centroid Acorn on my next Lathe upgrade (DM3000) - but not sure how to do the rotating turret/automatic tool changer
Franco, I have been looking for a replacement for the Mach3 and aging pc I am currently using with my PM25MV, , this looks like it might be the ticket. I am running standard stepper motors with an ethernet smooth stepper. My question is there a bunch of rewire needed to replace the ESS and the breakout board? Thanks. Ed
Ed Peterson Hi Ed. I really like the Centroid software and the Acorn board. The wiring won't be a whole lot different than the Smoothstepper. I'll paste a link to wiring diagrams at the end of this message. The biggest differences are Centroid requires each home switch to be on its own input and you use an encoder (not an index pulse) to read spindle rpm. Check this out: www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/downloads/acorn_schematics/centroid_acorn_hookup_schematics.zip
Richard Martin You are correct. I even made a video about it. ruclips.net/video/DBcDSom9HV8/видео.html What I was trying to say was Mach3 can't talk to a parallel port on a 64 bit OS. It only supports 32 bit parallel port communications. Thank you for catching my mistake.
Technically a 32bit program will easily work on a 64 OS like MS. But the control driver built in Mach is not 64bit and drivers are architecturally constrained. So in a nut shell his right Mach3 is useless on a 64bit system.
I WAS HOPING TO WATCH THIS AN LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT INTERFACING TO A GRIZZLY GO765 LATHE, NOT RECEIVE AN ACORN SALES PITCH. I AM ALREADY SOLD ON THE SOFTWARE!!!
Wow, Since I have a Grizzly metal lathe; I thought how nice it would be; to be "shown" how to install (n detail) Centroid and Clear Path motors on my lathe. Then I saw your video. "Boy this is going to SHOW me how to do it; albeit using stepper motors". All I got was "sales" hype about how horribly bad "Mach" is; and how unbelievably good Centroid" is. Talk about tried and proven "show and tell"; turning into a "Tell for 10:20 and virtually 00:01 of show". Oh well. IF there is any one out there that KNOWS how to use Centroid AND Clear Path motors on a Grizzly lathe, please make a video of exactly HOW to install it. Even better, add doing it to my Grizzly knee mill. And PLEASE; cut the rhetoric about whose is the best and simply "CUT TO THE CHASE"! Anyone? I would donate to it! Promise!
pat dee I have a Centroid Acorn and Clearpath servo motors that I will use on a mini mill. It's actually not that hard to get it up and running and I am no expert, by any definition. The Centroid Wizard does all the work for you in setup and there are a lot of nice schematics on their website to show you how to wire it up. Im thinking Franco's next video will show how to set it all up using steppers in his case. Clearpath setup is only going to differ in the wiring, which is not too difficult.
Love the virtual control panel. Great video.
Thanks.
Thanks for taking the time to make the video. The fact UCCNC require customers to repurchase the software for a hardware failure is unorthodox and a deal breaker for me. They are being lazy and cheap and not investing in the coding/binding process and dumping that on the customer. After 17years I am ready to move on from Mach but this road is not fully paved for me.
Great video...been looking into the centroid acorn setup on my next mill😜 keep up the great work.
Thanks. Give the Centroid Acorn serious consideration. I've been using the system on my mill and my lathe for quite some time now and I have no regrets.
Good to finally meet you Franco 😀. I am intrigued by the board/software and I can see myself switching from M3. Good job highlighting the pros of this package so far. Anything you don't like about it?
Crivo152 I know, finally a face to go along with the voice!
Hi. I finally got up enough courage to be seen. ;) Here are a few things that I wish were different. 1.) I wish there were more inputs and outputs. 2.) Each limit switch requires a dedicated input - I wish I could wire them all into one input. 3.) I like the encoder input as that is the most accurate way to read the spindle, but reading a single pulse per revolution is really easy and, for some people, is good enough to get RPM feedback. But, I really do like the Acorn and I'm converting all of my stuff over to it. TTYL.
Good job Bro! Did you looked into the Masso CNC controller as well before you made your decision?
I Love the centroid option, just really hope they add serial comms (modbus) to it at some point. Finally some competition for mach and linuxCNC. I have to stay with Mach until centroid adds serial comms, hopefully.
I hear what you are saying. I'm sure they keep an eye on these comments. Maybe they'll take your suggestion.
Franco, I like all your videos. Great work on all the mini lathe content. If you get this comment, I have a question. Where did you get the ball screw cover? I have searched for some like yours but, maybe they are not made anymore.
Hope to hear from you. Marty
Hi. I used to be able to buy them on eBay. But, I haven't seen them for a while. Sorry.
Very nice video. I have the same grizzly lathe and am ready to pull the trigger on a CNC conversion. Do you have any tips or tricks that you learned along the way doing this that you could pass on?
You certainly can convert these little lathes over to CNC. But don't expect them to help extremely precise tolerances. The way the saddle is constructed is not the best for CNC conversion. Honestly, I really haven't seen any manual lathes that are ideally suited for CNC conversion. But, it can be done.
Nice, I am planning also of buying acorn controller this month ang convert my mini lathe on cnc. What spindle motor do you used on your mini lathe? Because I am planning also of upgrading my spindle. Thanks for you video...
Nice vid! :) I didn't quite hear the part about the Pro software upgrade being only $99. Last time I looked, I got it in my head that I needed the $499 version. I checked the site and see that the Pro is only $99 for both the mill and the lathe. I was looking at the mill before. I'll have to look at it a bit closer to see if I can figure out why I thought I needed the bigger one. Is the $99 option a new option? Just under $400 to convert. I really need to get some funds together to do this to my lathe!! :) Thanks for the vid and the info. :)
Any cnc software can work well if the user knows how use it right or correctly but Centroid is less troubleshooting than Mach3 or Mach4 and easy to setup and use it.
I’m have 2 Acorn installed and work more stable then Mach3 or 4!!!
People need to use it before posting opinions!
I agree 100%. I'm glad Artsoft released Mach3 back in the day and a lot of people used that software. But, I've converted all of my stuff over to Centroid and I'm extremely pleased - especially on my lathe. Turning always seemed to be a weakness for Mach3 but Centroid does a great job with it. And, the Acorn system is MUCH easier to setup and configure than Mach3 or Mach4.
Hi Sir
I just got set up Centroid Arcon. But I do not know how to run a program. can you help please.
I have the pipe chuck in 4th Axis. And Need to drill hole on different angle and distance with X travel .
Thanks you very much for your help.
Tony
Thank you-for the informative video! I have been running Mach3 on older Windows XP machines, too (Lathes, mill, Router).. Thinking about trying a Centroid Acorn on my next Lathe upgrade (DM3000) - but not sure how to do the rotating turret/automatic tool changer
The Acorn is great. I love it. Your lathe is really nice. I'd like to buy one of those some day.
x and y are servos, and you used a encoder on the motor that came with the lathe? Thanks
Yes. X and Y are closed loop steppers (you can call them servos as that is technically correct) and there is an encoder on the spindle shaft.
Franco, I have been looking for a replacement for the Mach3 and aging pc I am currently using with my PM25MV, , this looks like it might be the ticket. I am running standard stepper motors with an ethernet smooth stepper. My question is there a bunch of rewire needed to replace the ESS and the breakout board?
Thanks.
Ed
Ed Peterson Hi Ed. I really like the Centroid software and the Acorn board. The wiring won't be a whole lot different than the Smoothstepper. I'll paste a link to wiring diagrams at the end of this message. The biggest differences are Centroid requires each home switch to be on its own input and you use an encoder (not an index pulse) to read spindle rpm. Check this out: www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/downloads/acorn_schematics/centroid_acorn_hookup_schematics.zip
who told you a 32 bit program wont work on a 64 bit platform? It will and is done all the time
Richard Martin You are correct. I even made a video about it. ruclips.net/video/DBcDSom9HV8/видео.html
What I was trying to say was Mach3 can't talk to a parallel port on a 64 bit OS. It only supports 32 bit parallel port communications. Thank you for catching my mistake.
Technically a 32bit program will easily work on a 64 OS like MS. But the control driver built in Mach is not 64bit and drivers are architecturally constrained.
So in a nut shell his right Mach3 is useless on a 64bit system.
i wonder why it uses ethernet and not usb? very cool
Hi. Ethernet is much more stable than USB.
@@FrancoCNC makes sense , running USB might be part of my issue with mach not reading pulses correctly.
centroid surport plasma or water jet ?
do you need stepper drivers to run your stepper motors
Tomias Yes. The Acorn is just for control. You still need drivers for the motors.
Awesome. Thanks for the reply.
What about spindle indexing (rpm) (trigger) for threading?
Slabbador Dongali You can connect an encoder and read 8000 pulses per revolution. Very accurate. You will need the $99 software upgrade.
Thanks will look into it for my lathe conversation
Anyone tried the acorn with windows 7 prof?
Hola que marca es el controlador?
Hola. El controlador está hecho por Centroid. www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/acorn_cnc_controller.html
Masso g3 ... You'll never go back
Whether or not Mach4 is better than Mach3 is debatable.
I WAS HOPING TO WATCH THIS AN LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT INTERFACING TO A GRIZZLY GO765 LATHE, NOT RECEIVE AN ACORN SALES PITCH. I AM ALREADY SOLD ON THE SOFTWARE!!!
Wow,
Since I have a Grizzly metal lathe; I thought how nice it would be; to be "shown" how to install (n detail) Centroid and Clear Path motors on my lathe. Then I saw your video. "Boy this is going to SHOW me how to do it; albeit using stepper motors".
All I got was "sales" hype about how horribly bad "Mach" is; and how unbelievably good Centroid" is. Talk about tried and proven "show and tell"; turning into a "Tell for 10:20 and virtually 00:01 of show".
Oh well.
IF there is any one out there that KNOWS how to use Centroid AND Clear Path motors on a Grizzly lathe, please make a video of exactly HOW to install it. Even better, add doing it to my Grizzly knee mill. And PLEASE; cut the rhetoric about whose is the best and simply "CUT TO THE CHASE"!
Anyone?
I would donate to it! Promise!
pat dee I have a Centroid Acorn and Clearpath servo motors that I will use on a mini mill. It's actually not that hard to get it up and running and I am no expert, by any definition. The Centroid Wizard does all the work for you in setup and there are a lot of nice schematics on their website to show you how to wire it up. Im thinking Franco's next video will show how to set it all up using steppers in his case. Clearpath setup is only going to differ in the wiring, which is not too difficult.
Thanks Scot.