Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Hello All:
I know a bunch of us are interested in getting away from Mach 3 to something more reliable. I was considering going with Path Pilot I thought the decision was made. A friend of mine who has a Centroid control on his mill told me about the acorn. It certainly looks interesting. My friend is completely happy with his centroid. He is new to cnc but is a talented machinist. The biggest possible advantage I can see to the Acorn over Path Pilot is centroid actually wants us to use their control. Tormach seems to not want us to.
For Ray is their any reason my power draw bar would not work with the acorn?
The only thing holding me back from ordering an acorn is I do not know if it will work or not with my pendant. I do not want to give up the rotary mpg.
Thanks
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
upnorth
Hello All:
For Ray is their any reason my power draw bar would not work with the acorn?
The PDB neither knows nor cares what software you are using. The ATC is another matter entirely...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
upnorth
Hello All:
The only thing holding me back from ordering an acorn is I do not know if it will work or not with my pendant. I do not want to give up the rotary mpg.
Pendants are inherently software-dependent, so your pendant will certainly NOT work with the Acorn, unless the pendant manufacturer specifically supports it. I would be absolutely amazed if they did...
Regards,
Ray L.
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
I'm considering switching to the Acorn, after I move my shop.
The one thing though, is that MACH3 has been decent to me. It really hasn't caused a huge headache for me. Having said that, when I finally do make my switch to the new shop. I think the Acorn is going to happen, I like the interface and the separate built-in processor for G-Code processing. I also like the fact that Centroid, as you mentioned, wants us and has developed this hardware for this class of machine.
Regards,
-Jason
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SpeedsCustom
I'm considering switching to the Acorn, after I move my shop.
The one thing though, is that MACH3 has been decent to me. It really hasn't caused a huge headache for me. Having said that, when I finally do make my switch to the new shop. I think the Acorn is going to happen, I like the interface and the separate built-in processor for G-Code processing. I also like the fact that Centroid, as you mentioned, wants us and has developed this hardware for this class of machine.
Regards,
-Jason
I will be very interested in hearing about your experience if you do this. The Acorn looks really good to me, except.... I'd probably need the "Ultimate" software ($499!) as my g-code files often run 10+Mbytes, and I'd want the extended probing capabilities. Otherwise, it looks really good.
Regards,
Ray L.
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SpeedsCustom
I'm considering switching to the Acorn, after I move my shop.
The one thing though, is that MACH3 has been decent to me. It really hasn't caused a huge headache for me. Having said that, when I finally do make my switch to the new shop. I think the Acorn is going to happen, I like the interface and the separate built-in processor for G-Code processing. I also like the fact that Centroid, as you mentioned, wants us and has developed this hardware for this class of machine.
Regards,
-Jason
For whatever reason I had little luck with Mach 3. It would do totally bizarre things at times. Worst was when tool offsets were not applied randomly. One time after running about 10 parts with the exact same G code. Just changing the blank and typing go. It went to position 0,0,0 it then lifted up and moved over to the right side of the vise and ran the g code. I think maybe mach runs correctly on certain installations but it not reliable on others. It really had me second guessing when I was learning.
Looks like Ray was right about the vista cnc pendant. Their tech support got back to me and this is what they said "Our pendant work directly with CNC application (software). Currently our pendants work with Mach3, Mach4, LinuxCNC, UCCNC software.
It looks like Acorn CNC board only works with Acorn Centroid CNC software. P1A-S does not support the Centroid acorn control software and will not work with Acorn CNC board.
In the future, when Centroid software supports USB external MPG device, we will add our pendants to work with Centroid CNC."
Might work in the future but not now. I'm going to keep Mach 3 on the lathe so I can still use the pendant. Now I need to figure out it anyone is using the Vista pendant with Path Pilot.
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
upnorth
For whatever reason I had little luck with Mach 3. It would do totally bizarre things at times. Worst was when tool offsets were not applied randomly. One time after running about 10 parts with the exact same G code. Just changing the blank and typing go. It went to position 0,0,0 it then lifted up and moved over to the right side of the vise and ran the g code. I think maybe mach runs correctly on certain installations but it not reliable on others. It really had me second guessing when I was learning.
Looks like Ray was right about the vista cnc pendant. Their tech support got back to me and this is what they said "Our pendant work directly with CNC application (software). Currently our pendants work with Mach3, Mach4, LinuxCNC, UCCNC software.
It looks like Acorn CNC board only works with Acorn Centroid CNC software. P1A-S does not support the Centroid acorn control software and will not work with Acorn CNC board.
In the future, when Centroid software supports USB external MPG device, we will add our pendants to work with Centroid CNC."
Might work in the future but not now. I'm going to keep Mach 3 on the lathe so I can still use the pendant. Now I need to figure out it anyone is using the Vista pendant with Path Pilot.
I will contribute more to this topic, but what about the MASSO controller? I don't think it has the same processing performance as the Centroid, but seems to have many available options alongside with NOT requiring a computer...
I still do like ACORN and am heavily considering it, my shop move is a process!
Lets keep the discussion going.
-Jason
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
The Masso is interesting, though a bit pricey by hobbyist standards. One thing that would concern me is that it appears the ONLY way to get g-code into the controller is via "sneaker-net". i.e. - a USB stick. A network connection would be FAR better. I HATE USB sticks for moving g-code. It's also totally unknown how "open" it is. For example, if you want to add some custom peripheral (Maybe an ATC? Or Auto-oiler? Or custom pendant? Or even a custom probing function?), it's not at all clear how that could be accomplished, if it even can. Same goes for the Acorn. That's the nice thing about Mach3, UCCNC, PathPilot, and others - they are easily, and extensively, modifiable by the end-user.
Regards,
Ray L.
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
I see The Centroid acorn now has a pendant available. Its a wireless one but it does have an MPG built in. Have any of you guys tried wireless control devices in a machine shop environment? I would have said no way in hell would I use a wireless anything to control something in my shop. Well I recently bought a wireless mouse and keyboard for the home computer. I took it into the shop and tried it out. It works perfectly. No issues. I think I'm still leaning towards pathpilot though.
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SCzEngrgGroup
The Masso is interesting, though a bit pricey by hobbyist standards. One thing that would concern me is that it appears the ONLY way to get g-code into the controller is via "sneaker-net". i.e. - a USB stick. A network connection would be FAR better. I HATE USB sticks for moving g-code. It's also totally unknown how "open" it is. For example, if you want to add some custom peripheral (Maybe an ATC? Or Auto-oiler? Or custom pendant? Or even a custom probing function?), it's not at all clear how that could be accomplished, if it even can. Same goes for the Acorn. That's the nice thing about Mach3, UCCNC, PathPilot, and others - they are easily, and extensively, modifiable by the end-user.
Regards,
Ray L.
Just finished the install / setup of a MASSO on Bridgeport BOSS. Yes currently USB stick is only option for gcode, and no way to edit code on fly but wireless networking coming soon via software update and install of esp8266 chip ($8).
The setup includes setting for lubrication / timer / etc - all user has to do is assign output port. Which is beyond easy. Probing is provided, once again - simply assign port. All pins for pendant are clearly labeled on support site - installing pendant of choice is pretty simple. Although IMO the Playstation controller option is better. Custom anything is pretty much doable - limited only by the user really. AND - they have fantastic support via website.
If building a CNC - MASSO is the way to go.
This video is pretty complete description of setup / use of the MASSO - it even configures steppers by moving specified distance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1wyRrGHNZQ
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Just a heads up for anyone considering the Centroid Acorn controller and software. Their introductory pricing ends Jan. 3rd 2018. Here is a link with more information. End to Acorn Introductory Pricing date is January 3rd 2018 - Centroid Community CNC Support Forum.
CJ
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
Just got on board, bought 2 Acorn units and 2 Pro intercon setups for my mill and lathe. This looks like it may be the cats meow and a way to escape from Mach 3 or 4. The rigid tapping, encoder hookup, and having the on board controller running the g-code instead of the PC is what sold me. The intercom software (kind of like wizards) is pretty nice too but that will take some time to get a handle on it after mach 3. The nice thing is that you should still be able to use Mach 3 wizards as it runs industry standard G-code. Fingers crossed this should be a plus. I also read that Sheet Cam works using the mach2 processor. I don't have them installed yet as I just bought them and should be here after new years but I'm really jazzed as every time I run my stuff on Mach 3 I always get the pucker factor and really it's only failed me a few times. A few times is too many.
Re: Anyone considering the centroid Acorn instead of path pilot?
I also have bought a Acorn and Pro lathe software. I'm expecting my Acorn to be delivered next week but have yet to convert my 14x40 lathe to CNC. I'll be using DMM servos and the guys at DMM have wiring schematics and are making some videos on the connections. The reviews that i've seen on the Acorn, plus the recommendations from some experienced CNC builders, made my choice to use the Acorn over the numerous other packages an easy one.
I'll post my opinions after i've hooked the Acorn up to the servos, but I'm expecting a positive experience.
-jason