CC
NN Acorn CNC Controller: A CNC Hardware and Software kit.
CENTROID
TM CC
A do-it-yourself 4 axis CNC control board for use with Mills, Lathes, Routers, Plasma and a wide variety of machine tools and special applications.
The Centroid Acorn CNC controller is a 4 axis step and direction CNC control board with built-in Motion Control CPU, PLC with 8 optically isolated inputs and 8 relay outputs , 1 encoder input, a 12 bit analog
159 Gates Road, Howard, PA 16841 USA output for control of a VFD, and four axis drive interface connections along with PWM output for BLDC and Laser control. Acorn runs in conjunction with Centroid CNC12 CNC control software on a PC that
www.centroidcnc.com meets the Centroid minimum CNC PC requirements and communicates though a reliable Ethernet connection with the CNC PC. Acorn runs on standard G and M codes. Create part programs with the built-in
conversational software or any CAD/CAM system.
Touch Screen Enabled Centroid CNC12 Software
On-board Motion Control CPU 8 Relay Outputs for devices controlled by the Acorn PLC, add-on up to 56in/56out
Acorn contains its own on-board Motion Control CPU, the AM335x 1gHz ARM Command and control larger Relays, Contactors, Solenoids, etc.. Common examples: Air
Cortex A8 processor which generates reliable smooth motion pulses to the Solenoids, Water pumps, Lube Pumps, Dust collection, Estop contacotrs, etc. Outputs are
motors. Acorn does not rely on the Windows PC CPU for time critical motion controlled by M-codes, PLC and/or the operator control panel and are user configurable.
motion control, inputs, outputs or other machine functions. This results in a Add up to 56 in and 56 out with the Acorn Ether1616 add on I/O board!
rock solid CNC control that does not hiccup or get bogged down by Windows World Power
interfering with the motion. Accepts 50/60 Hz
100-120 or 200-240 VAC
Optional Wireless MPG Control Pendant allows the
operator to conveniently and precisely set up jobs and
tools remotely.
Reliable Ethernet communication between the CNC PC and the Acorn CNC control
24 VDC logic board. Any Windows 10 PC that meets the Centroid minimum performance require-
power supply ments can be used with Acorn. The on screen Virtual Control Panel is user configurable
and allows individual customization and control over button functionality, color, text size
and placment. The Centroid Acorn CNC software is provided in three levels, “Cen-
troid Free CNC”, “Centroid Pro”, and “Digitzing Bundle”. As the name implies Centroid
Free CNC is free to download and use for Educational, Home Hobby use and start up
Shops.
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Spindle Drive Control
Control Stepper Motors and/or Servo Motors!
Step and Direction Drive Interface for Four Axes Control any spindle motor drive that accepts 0-10 VDC analog input. Acorn has professional
grade 12 bit 0-10 VDC analog output for fine motor RPM adjustment. Acorn analog output allows
true programmable spindle speed control via G-code and manual controls via the Centroid touch
Control most any axis motor drive that accepts step and direction input.
screen operator control panel and the Wireless MPG. Auto/MAN, On the fly RPM override, ON/
For example: Gecko, Teco, Estun, Yaskawa, Teknic ClearPath-SD, OFF, CW/CCW. PWM Output for BLDC spindle motor drives is also provided via the DB25 con-
DMM, Delta, Leadshine and many others. Up to 4 axes. Use either the nector.
Acorn header connections for Servo Drives or the Acorn DB25 to connect
to a Stepper motor drive. Spindle Motor Drive Control
0-10 vdc analog out 3 phase output
Maximum compatibily!
Depending on drive input type use the Acorn header connections or the Acorn DB25
to command drives with step and direction signal. See the Acorn Hookup Schematics
for guidence.
1 or 3 phase input,
no phase converter needed
Eight user configurable optically Isolated Inputs.
Switch and sensor inputs to the Acorn PLC.
PWM Output
for Laser and BLDC Encoder Input
Probe Ready! Encoder Input The Acorn Encoder input allows the use of a rotary encoder or a linear scale.
Use your own or one of Centroid’s 5 VDC TTL Line Driver Stepper Motor Drive Rotary encoders are used for spindle encoder feedback for mills and lathes
CNC touch probe compatible. Use a touch probe for Probing, Digitizing and Automatic DB25 Step and Direction Output (used with Rigid Tapping and Threading) Scales are used as DRO positional
Tool Height Measurement. Build your own probe, conductive or switch type (kinematic display such as 2 axis knee mills or 3 axis bed mills quill position DRO or other
seat) or use one of Centroid’s industrial quality probes: KP-3 and TT-4. applications. Acorn accepts industry standard RS422 type differential quadra-
ture encoder output with A, B, and Z channels Use male DB9 connector and
shielded cable to connect to the Acorn board.
8 Inputs for switches and sensors such as home, Acorn CNC controller kit (part# 14455) Acorn CNC controller kit part# 14455
limit switches,proximity switches, low lube switch, Centroid Acorn CNC controller kit includes:
drive fault, gear range indicator and many other uses
- Acorn CNC control board
- 24 VDC logic power supply
- Plug and Play Relay 8 board w/ cable
Use the Acorn header connections for Servos and the - Logic power supply hookup leads
the Acorn DB25 connector to connect to a Stepper - 110 VAC power cord
motor drive. The Acorn DB25 signal pinout locations - 15’ Sheilded Ethernet cable
are software configurable for no solder connections to - Centroid Free CNC software
match existing drive cable pinouts!
Acorn CNC Software Levels
KP-3 Touch Probe TT-4 Automatic Tool - Centroid “Free” CNC12
Height Measurement - Acorn “Pro” CNC12
- Acorn “Digitizing Bundle”
