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IndustryArena Forum > Machine Controllers Software and Solutions > Controller & Computer Solutions > CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2021
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    10

    CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    I am setting up my home hobby shop and I have 3 main machines that will have CNC control. Bear with me I want it all and I want it to work, I want it relatively simple and I don't want it to cost an arm and a leg. I have been at this for a year with builds and upgrades and education. I am in the market for a CNC controller that will work across all 3 machines: Lathe, Mill and CNC Router/Plasma Cutter. Each will of course have its own dedicated controller I would like them to be the same if possible. Mainly so I can use the same software and hardware to keep things simple.

    My Router/Plasma Cutter is based on the LEAD Machine configuration the machine is seen in the video shown in this video:




    I started with an Arduino setup (very disappointing) so I bought a dedicated controller and was quite happy but fried it by welding on the stand it sits on so I need a new one and since I will be in the market for a mill that I will be converting to CNC I am taking this opportunity to try and consolidate my learning curve and am hoping to select a controller that will work for this machine and the same controller (a second one of course) that will be installed on my mill when it is put together. This LEAD machine does double duty as a plasma cutter and a router. and am seeking recommendations. It is a dual Y/A axis machine and I will be wanting the ability to add a 4th rotary axis.

    what I had was:
    MK6-V?6 axis motion card.from https://www.wixhc.com/en/pc/238.html
    I was happy with it for this application except it had limitations for torch height control but I created a manual workaround so not critical but would be nice. It also will not upgrade a mill properly so it's not an option for that.

    So any new controller should have these features for the LEAD machine which does double duty as plasma and router as shown in the attached pictures.:
    Dual-axis homing
    outputs to run at least 6 relays (Coolant, vacuum, Air, plasma cutter that sort of thing)
    ability to incorporate Torch Height Control when I have it set up for plasma
    Ability to add a rotary axis control

    I will be buying a mill this month hopefully, and am leaning towards the Precision Matthews brands any recommendations on which mill to achieve the best CNC build results would be appreciated however this machine has caught my eye.
    https://www.precisionmatthews.com/sh...lling-machine/

    As well as a control system to match that hopefully also is the same as the one on the router I already have.

    I am leaning towards
    https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid...ontroller.html

    however, it does not seem to have the ability to run a rotary axis which I will want to have for both the router and mill and does not run MACH3 which there is a huge body of help available.

    To sum it all up recommendations for:

    1. Best CNC controller for a home hobbyist to upgrade a new mill to CNC which can run a 4th rotary axis (<$500 if possible)
    2. Good manual benchtop type mill to convert to a very good and capable CNC mill (<$5000)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    1516

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Nothing wrong with Mach if you like it and it does what you need.
    For Mach I'd look at UC400ETH. It can run mach 3 or 4 using a plugin or uccnc which you could also have a look at to see if it fits the bill.
    uc400 has 24 outputs & 10 in.

    Those Acorn are expensive and the basic one only has 8 inputs & 8 out.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2021
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    10

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Thanks, I checked that one out which then lead me to check out ESS - Ethernet Smooth Stepper Motion Control Board any thoughts on that? I was hoping for an all-in-one package as I had but if I go the route using BOB's it seems like the more emulated parallel ports the better.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    1516

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    The ESS is a widely used controller.
    If you're happy with being commited to Mach3 or Mach4, and it has all the ports you need then I don't see any reason to not to go with it.

    I have just received a UC300eth for my mill. I fancied trying something other than Mach (for a change).
    If I don't like the UC software, it allows me to go back to Mach without having to replace anything.

    That's the biggest drawback with controllers. Many are tied to specific software programs. If you end up not liking their program, You've wasted $$$$$.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2021
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    10

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by dazp1976 View Post
    The ESS is a widely used controller.
    If you're happy with being commited to Mach3 or Mach4, and it has all the ports you need then I don't see any reason to not to go with it.

    I have just received a UC300eth for my mill. I fancied trying something other than Mach (for a change).
    If I don't like the UC software, it allows me to go back to Mach without having to replace anything.

    That's the biggest drawback with controllers. Many are tied to specific software programs. If you end up not liking their program, You've wasted $$$$$.


    I agree completely, I started with Arduino stuff and liked the open-source concept however it was so unreliable and glitchy in my EM noisy environment but I did get it to work even with my Plasma Cutter running full tilt. But all the little wires were driving me nuts. I switched to the dedicated controller which ran on MACH3 which I liked very much until I cooked it a $300 mistake. Do not weld your support table if any wires are connected...lesson learned. It's only now with the plan for a CNC mill that I want to have one type of setup. So I would like the best possible scenario and hoping people like yourself can help guide me. I've definitely wasted enough money trying things out and not liking them.

    Dazp1976 what type of mill do you have? what considerations did you have when you picked it?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1206

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Is there some reason why LinuxCNC is out of the picture? Zero cost and I understand it works particularly well with plasma machines.

  7. #7
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    May 2021
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    10
    Quote Originally Posted by routalot View Post
    Is there some reason why LinuxCNC is out of the picture? Zero cost and I understand it works particularly well with plasma machines.

    I don't have an aversion to Linux. Just never had any experience using it. And as I mentioned in my original post I'm trying to keep my learning curve to a minimum since there is so much contemplate when doing this and I am familiar with Mark. And has a very large user base.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    1206

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    As far as the machine is concerned,its all 1's and 0's.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    I am in the market for a CNC controller that will work across all 3 machines: Lathe, Mill and CNC Router/Plasma Cutter.
    I think the biggest issue you'll find is lathe support, or rather a lack of lathe support.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    1762

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Take a peek at Centroid Acorn. Specific versions for Mill, Router Lathe and soon Plasma.

    https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid...ontroller.html
    Gary Campbell CNC Technology & Training
    GCnC411 (at) gmail.com www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1/videos

  11. #11
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    Jan 2018
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    1516

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by islaww View Post
    Take a peek at Centroid Acorn. Specific versions for Mill, Router Lathe and soon Plasma.

    https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid...ontroller.html
    I looked at Acorn in the beginning but it looks like.....
    If you want more than 4 axis and more than 8 inputs.......
    You're looking at over $1000!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    644

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    If your ok with Mach take a look at Pokeys57CNC. Runs best using Ethernet but will also run using USB.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2021
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    10

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Dean448 View Post
    If your ok with Mach take a look at Pokeys57CNC. Runs best using Ethernet but will also run using USB.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Thank for the tip, it is not one I have seen before. I like the dedicated encoder inputs which is something that I liked about the Acorn (but yes very pricy) has anyone reading this used that system?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2021
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    10

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Thanks, everyone for the tips here is what I decided to go with

    Ethernet SmoothSteppers ESS - Didn't hurt that I got an awesome eBay auction deal
    https://warp9td.com/index.php/products

    MB3 series of breakout boards
    https://www.cncroom.com/interface-ca...uesf42msrab8m5

    and I was also asking about a mill for CNC conversion and placed my order today for
    PM 833 TV - Backordered till July but gives me time to shop.
    https://www.precisionmatthews.com/sh...lling-machine/

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    1516

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Steelbarz View Post
    Thanks, everyone for the tips here is what I decided to go with

    Ethernet SmoothSteppers ESS - Didn't hurt that I got an awesome eBay auction deal
    https://warp9td.com/index.php/products

    MB3 series of breakout boards
    https://www.cncroom.com/interface-ca...uesf42msrab8m5

    and I was also asking about a mill for CNC conversion and placed my order today for
    PM 833 TV - Backordered till July but gives me time to shop.
    https://www.precisionmatthews.com/sh...lling-machine/
    Nice
    You're certainly not pi**ing about with that lot are you!

    Mind you. I'm thinking that beast is crying out for 3 horses and 5000rpm already

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Posts
    6

    Re: CNC Controller Recommendation Request / Equipment Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by dazp1976 View Post
    I looked at Acorn in the beginning but it looks like.....
    If you want more than 4 axis and more than 8 inputs.......
    You're looking at over $1000!
    All I can say is that you get what you pay for... I recently retrofitted my mill with a Centroid OAK and man, it is kicking ass. I had an anliam before that and it was just giving me little annoying problems so I want with the Centroid and I wouldn't go any other way now.

    I am looking to retrofit a lathe now, and I will definitely be using Centroid, no questions asked. Trust me, The Acorn will be better than anything else you get in that price range. The Cnetroid software is pro level stuff too, unlike mach.

    I know you've probably already done the conversion by now, but if not, really consider the Centroid....
    Cut your way in... Weld your way out!!!

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