Centroid Acorn now available and is the real deal.

Hello all, here's a link to Marty Escarcega's thread over in the Ajax/Centroid forum describing the switch from a Mach3 parallel port system to the newly released Centroid Acorn kit. I have one coming next week for my new mill and am SO excited. If you're used to dealing with Mach's issues, this will be a welcome relief for a very reasonable price. Imagine that, control software and hardware from the same American company....who'd a thunk it would ever happen for the hobby market!

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/ajaxcn...42320-cnc.html

Link to the product, check it out:

Centroid Acorn CNC controller, Step and Direction 4 axis CNC Control board with ethernet communication

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Originally Posted by DICKEYBIRD

Hello all, here's a link to Marty Escarcega's thread over in the Ajax/Centroid forum describing the switch from a Mach3 parallel port system to the newly released Centroid Acorn kit. I have one coming next week for my new mill and am SO excited. If you're used to dealing with Mach's issues, this will be a welcome relief for a very reasonable price. Imagine that, control software and hardware from the same American company....who'd a thunk it would ever happen for the hobby market!

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/ajaxcn...42320-cnc.html

Link to the product, check it out:

Centroid Acorn CNC controller, Step and Direction 4 axis CNC Control board with ethernet communication

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Looks like another interesting package to try, Centroid have always had a good control software

This looks awesome. I personally think Tormach dropped the ball on the Path pilot system. Tried to buy just the conversion hardware and was told machine owners only. Centroid has been around awhile so this should be solid.

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Originally Posted by thumper650

This looks awesome. I personally think Tormach dropped the ball on the Path pilot system. Tried to buy just the conversion hardware and was told machine owners only. Centroid has been around awhile so this should be solid.

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Not true at all. Path Pilot is sold separately. However there is no support for home brews. I have it. Like everything else it needs a specific computer that will run Linux well and a Mesa card. Seems like the same issues with Mach and an SS or equivalent.

To me, the Acorn is like LinuxCNC/PathPilot for non-Linux proficient users (such as myself). The price isn't that far from what a Mesa & its peripheral items cost and the software is known to be solid. No compatability or setup issues either. The only unexpected issue I've had is that the CNC12 software requires a Win10 PC with a single thread benchmark of 1500. A trivial & relatively low performance number to you computer lovers but I did have to get something to replace my Mach3/XP/PP machine.;)

Maybe Acorn's not for everybody but a it's miracle for me!

I'm surprised more people aren't running their controllers on virtual machines. Windows, Linux, both easily and cheaply setup via free virtual machine software. It also vastly streamlines the software operation while letting you run a full OS in the background. I use Mach3 and have an ESS, but if I go the Linux path at some point, which I'm 100% sure I will, I'll just run the proper install on a VM. In fact I've already played around with Linux CNC doing just that. I'd need LCNC compatible hardware to make things move, but that's all id need. My PC can operate as is basically. With modern PC hardware there is no need to slimmed and optimized installs, especially when the parallel port started phase out in the late 90's. That people still use them speaks more for the need for cheap hardware than it does to some sort of desired performance. All of that said, I'll likely venture down the Acorn route eventually as well. I like good software and so I try to experiment when time and money allows.

Virtual machines introduce additional delays and timing issues.

Dual boot is a different issue.

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Originally Posted by pippin88

Virtual machines introduce additional delays and timing issues.

Dual boot is a different issue.

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You are absolutely right. However, that effective latency is basically unnoticeable assuming decent hardware and proper VM optimization, and in some cases VM's have better drivers than can be found for standalone installs. Often, latency issues that people see, especially for Linux machines, are caused by drivers. RAM is also a big deal, and most don't spend the time understanding or relocating memory as necessary. I ran Mach 3 on my MacBook inside Parallels desktop using an ESS for quite a while. After a bit I got tired of coolant and grease and other garage regularities messing up the MacBook that I use for business management and personal activities. As a result I built a PC. Asides from the PC running windows 7 x64, there is no noticeable difference in performance. I also ran Siemens NX, Solidworks, ArcGIS, and many other fairly heavy pieces of software inside the VM on my MacBook without any real issues. I do enjoy having a 22" monitor now instead of the laptop screen, and it's nice that the PC has pretty good GPU performance (comparatively to the Mac) so running CAD/CAM, surfing the web, making tooling or setup notes, all while Mach is machining parts is no issue whatsoever. Cost for the PC was around $600 (built myself) plus a monitor. I had the GPU, it's several years old. Looking at tooling costs, fixture costs, machine costs, the PC is a drop in the bucket. As it's been so reliable, it's one less thing to worry about so that I can focus on the important stuff. Mach 3 has seen 4 days of uptime (not a single restart of the PC or closure of Mach 3) as of this morning without a single issue, the can't be said for the operator or the programming (also done by me). I try to install OS updates on Friday evenings, but do so manually, no auto-updates.

Obviously, a VM setup is for the more technically advanced, but it's a vastly more flexible setup and suffers very few drawbacks should you be able to do it. Generally I run no less than four cores and 16gb of ram. My MacBook (late 2012) meets that and my Mach 3 PC has 24gb of ram and 3gb of dedicated GPU memory. I also use SSD main drives for both. Large data gets offloaded onto a separate internal drive either via SSD or HDD, even when the second disk is a HDD data transfer is extremely fast when the disk is not being written to as you are trying to read like is common with single disk HDD setups. The problems of old simply aren't a reality today. Linux and OSX both are very ram and processor friendly, hell the new Macs run on mobile processors basically. So when you have more robust processing and RAM to spare a VM runs in many cases like a native install and sometimes even better.

Almost pulled the trigger on Acorn, but went with UCCNC because Acorn does not have MODBUS communication, I need that for nearly infinite flexibility in talking to accessories/gizmos. Modubus is huge when building/adding on to specialized machines.

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Originally Posted by pippin88

Virtual machines introduce additional delays and timing issues.

Dual boot is a different issue.

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A dedicated computer with a single OS is better, of course, and considering the low requirements it seems most people should be able to find a free computer or something used extremely cheap.

Problem with using any computer to control a CNC machine is that the computer is also doing other things, like accessing the hard drive for example, or switching the importance of one program over another, or expanding the page file, whatever it might be. This is the reason Windows causes so many problems with setups that do not have a dedicated processor like the Acorn does.

The advantage of the Acorn in this example is that it does all the work, and is solely dedicated to doing that work and absolutely nothing else. No interruptions, no other demands on the processor it's singularly focused on directing your mill. Anything that controls your CNC machine, from a Windows based platform, regardless of how good the software is, would be my absolute last choice for driving a CNC machine. Now using a Windows based computer to send information to an Acorn controller is a totally different story.

Duel boot would probably be next to last, single boot would be better, and single boot with a processor like an Acorn would be my top choice, hands down. It's a great solution for people who want detail with no miss-stepping in my humble opinion.

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Originally Posted by Scott_Noble

A dedicated computer with a single OS is better, of course, and considering the low requirements it seems most people should be able to find a free computer or something used extremely cheap.

Problem with using any computer to control a CNC machine is that the computer is also doing other things, like accessing the hard drive for example, or switching the importance of one program over another, or expanding the page file, whatever it might be. This is the reason Windows causes so many problems with setups that do not have a dedicated processor like the Acorn does.

The advantage of the Acorn in this example is that it does all the work, and is solely dedicated to doing that work and absolutely nothing else. No interruptions, no other demands on the processor it's singularly focused on directing your mill. Anything that controls your CNC machine, from a Windows based platform, regardless of how good the software is, would be my absolute last choice for driving a CNC machine. Now using a Windows based computer to send information to an Acorn controller is a totally different story.

Duel boot would probably be next to last, single boot would be better, and single boot with a processor like an Acorn would be my top choice, hands down. It's a great solution for people who want detail with no miss-stepping in my humble opinion.

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All Windows based motion controllers work like how you described. Mach3/ESS. UCCNC/UC400ETH, PlanetCNC/MKx etc., it is really a good solution for Windows non-realtime problems.
The other solution is to use a realtime kernel OS like how Linuxcnc does.

get a real time windows based machine then

I haven't looked closely at the communications with the acorn board, but I believe it interprets the g-code onboard so all this discussion about latency is a moot point. Maybe I'm wrong.

I am thinking about putting an Acorn on my next Dyna Myte 2400 lathe conversion. But I am not sure how to set up the Automatic Tool Changer/Rotary Turret for the different tools. Support seems to be from the user base mainly. That concerns me.

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Originally Posted by CNC-Joe

I am thinking about putting an Acorn on my next Dyna Myte 2400 lathe conversion. But I am not sure how to set up the Automatic Tool Changer/Rotary Turret for the different tools. Support seems to be from the user base mainly. That concerns me.

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The next release of Acorn CNC12 software is supposed to include ATC setup as part of the "Wizard." I have no idea how it well it will work across all the different ATC types but since Dyna is pretty popular, it should work well. Me? I don't do long production runs & just use a standard QCTP & holders.

The support from users is getting better & better now that more & more experienced users are switching from other systems and getting on board with the Acorn. The Centroid staff is great too! Don't think that there's no help from them...couldn't be farther from reality. Like my pappy used to say: "Son, ya' pays yer money & takes your choice!":cheers:

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Originally Posted by CNC-Joe

I am thinking about putting an Acorn on my next Dyna Myte 2400 lathe conversion. But I am not sure how to set up the Automatic Tool Changer/Rotary Turret for the different tools. Support seems to be from the user base mainly. That concerns me.

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Before I made my decision to buy the acorn, it became pretty clear to me that many of the other choices on the market were doing amateur night. This one here was well sorted right out of the box. I plugged it in, wired it and it worked.

Thanks for the information, Milton. I'd love to be a beta tester for that software and get that second DynaMyte DM3000 running. (Ok there is always the thought of making a bar feeder for the lathe, too). One step at a time.

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Originally Posted by CNC-Joe

I am thinking about putting an Acorn on my next Dyna Myte 2400 lathe conversion. But I am not sure how to set up the Automatic Tool Changer/Rotary Turret for the different tools. Support seems to be from the user base mainly. That concerns me.

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That will be a 1st. A 2400 lathe with a tool changer? ;-)


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Originally Posted by Fastest1

That will be a 1st. A 2400 lathe with a tool changer? ;-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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Sorry- I mis-spoke -it is a DM3000 lathe not the D2400 mill.

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Originally Posted by CNC-Joe

I am thinking about putting an Acorn on my next Dyna Myte 2400 lathe conversion. But I am not sure how to set up the Automatic Tool Changer/Rotary Turret for the different tools. Support seems to be from the user base mainly.

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That seems to be part of the deal, this hardware is being marketed as a DIY solution. Centorid still offers full support solutions so you do have options with them. In fact I can't think of too many companies that are now offering such a wide array of solutions, from hobby, to DIY, to fully supported. It is a very interesting move on their part and it will be interesting to see what the market looks like in 5 years.

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That concerns me.

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I think their goal is to offer up this hardware and software solution, like a lot of publicly supported solutions where the majority of the support is via user groups. Sort of similar to Linuxcnc, Machine Kit, GRBL and others.

Centroid has an active forum that offers tons of support . If that’s not enough, you can always pay for factory support by the hour. When I placed the order for my Acorn hardware I could have added an hour of factory phone support to my shopping cart. I think it was $90 per hour or something like that.


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I would wait awhile before buying an acorn. My personal experience is enough you should wait until they get a bigger community going and a better support system. If you do know buy and if you have an issue that you chase it can suck away hours and hours in seeking help.

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Originally Posted by Uguessedit

I would wait awhile before buying an acorn. My personal experience is enough you should wait until they get a bigger community going and a better support system. If you do know buy and if you have an issue that you chase it can suck away hours and hours in seeking help.

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Can you share what system you are personally using that has a better support system and doesn't suck away hours and hours seeking help if you're experiencing problems? Not trying to be argumentative; honestly I want to know what other system would be available so that if I personally have so much difficulty with my Acorns that I have to ditch them & move on to something better.

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Originally Posted by DICKEYBIRD

Can you share what system you are personally using that has a better support system and doesn't suck away hours and hours seeking help if you're experiencing problems? Not trying to be argumentative; honestly I want to know what other system would be available so that if I personally have so much difficulty with my Acorns that I have to ditch them & move on to something better.

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I’m not going to discuss the details it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It’s a neat platform with some nice attributes on a beaglebone bob. I have two systems here, a mill pro still stirring in the box new and an $800 digitizing bundle plus a mpg and an hour prepaid tech support. None of which I plan to keep. I’m going to spend the extra money and get a true closed loop industrial controller and call it a day. In fact for what I paid on the digitizing bundle I can probably get into a nice industrial system. Most likely Camsoft.

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In fact for what I paid on the digitizing bundle I can probably get into a nice industrial system. Most likely Camsoft.

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Not many people discuss about Camsoft here ... its too expensive for experiment ...

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Originally Posted by DICKEYBIRD

Can you share what system you are personally using that has a better support system and doesn't suck away hours and hours seeking help if you're experiencing problems? Not trying to be argumentative; honestly I want to know what other system would be available so that if I personally have so much difficulty with my Acorns that I have to ditch them & move on to something better.

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In retrospect, my question could be misunderstood as being somewhat negative concerning Centroid or the Acorn system. Nothing could be further from the truth. My experiences have all been extremely good with both the Acorn & the Centroid staff. :) Any problems I have had so far have all been self-induced.

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Originally Posted by Uguessedit

I’m not going to discuss the details it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It’s a neat platform with some nice attributes on a beaglebone bob. I have two systems here, a mill pro still stirring in the box new and an $800 digitizing bundle plus a mpg and an hour prepaid tech support. None of which I plan to keep. I’m going to spend the extra money and get a true closed loop industrial controller and call it a day. In fact for what I paid on the digitizing bundle I can probably get into a nice industrial system. Most likely Camsoft.

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Good luck with Camsoft, LinuxCNC with a Mesa Board will do a better job and at a fraction of the cost

I was one of the first to purchase the Acorn as I did buy the Ultimate / Digitizing bundle and I can say there has not been one moment I've regretted buying it . Its a well designed cnc control system at a hobbyist price imho