CENTROID Acorn CNC Controller: A CNC Hardware and Software kit.

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A do-it-yourself 4 axis CNC control board for use with Mills, Lathes Routers and a wide variety of machine tools and special applications.
159 Gates Road, Howard, PA 16841 USA The Centroid Acorn CNC controller is a 4 axis step and direction open loop CNC control board with built-in Motion Control CPU, PLC with 8 optically isolated inputs and 8 outputs (6 open
www.centroidcnc.com collector and 2 relay) , 1 encoder input, a 12 bit analog output for control of a VFD, and four axis drive interface connections. Acorn runs in conjunction with Centroid CNC12 CNC control soft-
ware on a PC that 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
8 Outputs for Devices controlled by Acorn PLC
On-board Motion Control CPU 8 Outputs to command and control Relays, Contactors, Solenoids, etc.. Com-
Acorn utilizes its own Motion Control CPU the AM335x 1Ghz ARM Cortex A8 proces- mon example: Flood pump, Mister solenoid, Vacuum pump, Dust collection,
sor. A Beagle Bone Green is at the heart of the Acorn CNC controller. The Acorn Motion Lube Pump, etc. Outputs are controlled by M-codes and/or the operator control
Control CPU (the Beagle Bone Green) runs Centroid firmware and controls the machine panel and are user configurable.
tool so the Acorn board does not rely on the user’s PC CPU for critical motion control, World Power
inputs, outputs, and other machine tool functions. This results in a rock solid CNC con- Accepts 50/60 Hz
trol system that does not hiccup or get bogged down by Windows interfering with the PC 100-120 or 200-240 VAC
CPU.

Eight user configurable outputs for Acorn CNC control systems use fast reliable Ethernet communication between the
devices controlled by Acorn PLC. 24 VDC logic CNC PC and the Acorn CNC control board. Any Windows 10 PC that meets the Cen-
Stepper Motos OR Servo Motors! Step and Direction Drive Interface for four axes power supply troid minimum performance requirements can be used with Acorn. While not required,
Run any axis motor drive that accepts step and direction input. Gecko, Teco, Estun, Yaskawa, Touch Screens are highly recommended for use with the Acorn as the Centroid Acorn
Teknic ClearPath-SD, DMM, Delta, Leadshine and many others. Up to 4 axes. Use either the Acorn CNC software is touch enabled and comes standard with a Touch Screen Operator
header connections or the Acorn DB25 to connect to a drive. Control Panel. Alternatively hard keys can be used as an operator control panel such
as the Xkeys programmable keypads. Acorn Centroid CNC software comes in three
levels, “Centroid Free CNC”, “Centroid Pro”, and “Digitzing Bundle”. As the name im-
plies Centroid Free CNC is free to download and use for Educational, Home Hobby use
and start up Shops. (Centroid Acorn CNC software is based on the same proven indus-
trial grade, reliable CNC software found on Centroid’s M400 CNC control.)

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Spindle Drive Control

Run 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. Analog output allows true pro-
grammable spindle speed control via Gcode and manual controls via the Centroid touch screen
operator control panel or Xkeys control pad. Auto/MAN, On the fly RPM override, ON/OFF,
CW/CCW. (Note: Alternative spindle motor ON/OFF can be controlled with Acorn Output in
conjunction with a contactor if a VFD or DC motor controller is not desired via Gcode or Control
panel )

Spindle Motor Drive Control

0-10 vdc analog out 3 phase output

1 or 3 phase input,
no phase converter needed
Eight user configurable optically Isolated Inputs.
Switch and sensor inputs to the Acorn PLC.

Encoder Input
Probe Ready! Encoder Input Encoder input this allows an encoder or scale to be read by the Acorn board.
Use your own or one of Centroid’s Commonly used for spindle motor encoder feedback on mills and lathes or Z
CNC touch probe compatible. Use a touch probe for Probing, Digitiz- axis quill DRO positional display for example on 2 axis knee mills or 3 axis bed
ing and Automatic Tool Height Measurement. Build your own probe, mills or other application. Acorn accepts industry standard RS422 type differ-
conductive or switch type (kinematic seat) or use one of Centroid’s ential quadrature encoder output with A, B, and Z channels (Note: low encoder
industrial quality probes: DP-4,TT-1 or TT-2. count creates poor performance and accuracy. Centroid recommends 4,000 to
40,000 encoder counts per revolution (1000 to 10,000 “Line”) for most appli-
cations) 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
and limit switches, low lube switch, drive fault, Centroid Acorn CNC controller kit includes:
gear range indicator and many other uses - Acorn CNC control board
Legacy Support for - 24 VDC logic power supply
DB25 cable connection - Plug and Play Relay 8 board w/ cable
- Logic power supply hookup leads
- 110 VAC power cord
- 15’ Sheilded Ethernet cable
- Centroid Free CNC software
Use either the Acorn header connections
or the Acorn DB25 connector to connect Acorn CNC Software Levels
TT-2 Automatic Tool to a motor drive. The Acorn DB25 uses - Centroid “Free” CNC12
Height Measurement Gecko G540 standard pin outs. - Acorn “Pro” CNC12
DP-4 Touch Probe Copyright © 2017-2019 CENTROID. rev16 2-20-19 - Acorn “Digitizing Bundle”
All prices and specifications subject to change without notice.
This price sheet supersedes all previous pricing.
Patents Pending