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Centroid AcornCNC Installation Manual

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Centroid AcornCNC Plasma Installation Manual
CNC Software version: CNC12 v4.66+
Models: AcornCNC and Centroid THC
Acorn CNC Plasma Installation Manual Copyright © 2022 CENTROID
www.centroidcnc.com
AcornCNC Plasma
Installation Steps Overview
Plasma G-code Introduction
Acorn and THC Bench Test
Plasma Machine Sweet Spot
Machine Homing Methods
THC TX and RX Mounting Guidelines
Torch Touch Off Types and Configuration
Arc Voltage Calibration Procedure
Material Profile Manager
Operator Control Panel
Plasma G and M codes
Plasma G code Smoothing
Plasma Wireless Control Pendant
THC RX and TX Specifications
1
2
3
4
6
8
9
20
Test Fire Torch
21
23
25
34
37
40
42
Appendix
48

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Summary of Contents for Centroid AcornCNC

  • Page 1 Test Fire Torch Arc Voltage Calibration Procedure Material Profile Manager Operator Control Panel Plasma G and M codes Plasma G code Smoothing Plasma Wireless Control Pendant Appendix THC RX and TX Specifications Acorn CNC Plasma Installation Manual Copyright © 2022 CENTROID www.centroidcnc.com...
  • Page 2 5.) Verify basic torch function with the Torch Test Fire button on the VCP. 6.) Load a Profile using the Centroid Profile manager to select a Profile to match the material to test cut with. 7.) Run the Arc Voltage Calibration macro.
  • Page 3 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Introduction: Centroid Plasma G code programs are designed to be used in conjunction with a material profile. A material profile is a set of Plasma CNC values for a particular torch type/amperage and material type and thickness.
  • Page 4 Perform the RX an TX Bench Test after following the Acorn Bench Test procedure. Bench Test the Centroid THC kit with the Acorn, follow schematic #S15121 and hook up the TX and RX board. Do not connect to Plasma unit at this time.
  • Page 5 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Once the THC boards have been setup in bench test configuration, be sure to Set the THC Installed selection in the THC configuration menu to “YES”. Found in the Profile Manager.
  • Page 6 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Or use a Lab Power supply. Verify with a Volt meter that the supplied voltage is actually at the TX board terminals. Then run the “THC_Benchtest.cnc” TX to CNC12 Voltage signal communication Test Macro.
  • Page 7 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 2.) Once the bench tests has been performed its time to install, setup and configure the XYZ axes to get basic CNC motion. See Acorn Installation manual for non plasma related wiring and configuration such as axis motor drive wiring and setup, overall turns ratio, homing options etc.
  • Page 8 2.) Stepper motors are required to have proper matching power supplies and AMP settings on the stepper drive. Just because the motor works does not mean that it has been optimized for smoothness. No amount of Centroid G code smoothing will overcome a stepper motor that has too many amps being pumped into it or has its phases not wired properly for the voltage of the drive power supply being used.
  • Page 9 Machine Homing: Two philosophies, Chose to use a ‘machine home position’ or not. See below for pros and cons of each method. To home or not to home: The Centroid Plasma CNC controller can be run in main two modes. 1.) A machine coordinate system is employed. This method requires that a type of machine homing be used.
  • Page 10 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Choose the type of Homing in the Wizard Homing and Travel menu. Page 9 D:\Keith Documents\centroid_acorn_plasma_users_manual_draft27.odt rev27 3-15-22...
  • Page 11 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 TX and RX Board mounting guidelines. - The Centroid THC supports only Plasma Units with divided voltage output. - The TX board MUST be powered with a separate 24 volt power supply Follow the Hookup schematics and use the meanwell 24 volt provided with the Acorn THC kit.
  • Page 12 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 3.) Choose Torch Touch off Method. Centroid Acorn Plasma support several common Torch Touch Off methods. a.) The conductive Torch Tip is used as the sole method of touch off. (either a straight connection or with a stand alone Ohmic sensor box can be used.
  • Page 13 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Torch Mounts: Floating heads, Magnetic breakaway and Round Mounts are all supported. Magnetic Breakaway Torch Mounts. Magnetic Breakaway combined with a sliding head (Floating Head) is a good choice. This setup provides good protection with accurate Floating Head Torch touch off performance.
  • Page 14 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Round Mounts Round Mounts are a crude kinematic seat that lifts and pivots in XYZ when the torch touches anything. Round Mounts come in two flavors: 1.) a two sensor Round Mount and 2.) a three sensor Round Mount.
  • Page 15 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Ohmic and Conductive Torch Touch Off. The “T in” screw terminal on the THC TX board is dedicated for conductive/ohmic touch off. By design the “T in” terminal on the TX board is intended to be used with the Torch Conductive Tip. This conductive torch tip connection can be used with or without a separate stand alone Ohmic sensor box.
  • Page 16 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 For Method a. A Float Switch is used as the sole method of touch off: Wire Conductive Torch Tip according to schematic #S15107 In the Torch Touch Off configuration menu, set “Is a Float Switch being used in conjunction with Torch Tip Touch off?”...
  • Page 17 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Method b. Set Wizard Torch Float Switch input definition to Input Two. Then Choose “No” to “Is a Float Switch being used in conjunction with Torch Tip Touch Off? Set the Distance between Float switch trigger and torch tip touch in inches (or mm) Page 16 D:\Keith Documents\centroid_acorn_plasma_users_manual_draft27.odt...
  • Page 18 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 For Method c. Wire the Float Switch to input #2. See Schematic # 15108 Use the Acorn Plasma Wizard Input definition menu to let CNC12 know which Acorn input is being used for the Float Switch, click and drag “TorchFloatSwitch”...
  • Page 19 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Is a Float Switch being used in conjunction with Torch Tip Touch Off?: Yes= Both the conductive torch tip and float switch are being used. No= either a Float or a Conductive is being used just not together.
  • Page 20 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Acorn Wizard Input Menu Note: Float The “TorchFloatSwitch” input is also monitored by CNC12 when not running a touch off cycle so that it also acts as a breakaway switch. In other words is the Float Switch is triggered unexpectedly (while not in a touch off cycle) CNC12 will stop and issue a Breakaway error message.
  • Page 21 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 4.) Verify Torch Touch off and breakaway input functionality Before we can use the Torch we must verify that the Touch off input is working and therefore the Auto Touch Off cycle.
  • Page 22 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 If using a Float Switch that triggers some distance either before of after the torch tip. Determine that distance. There are several ways to do this here is the method we use.
  • Page 23 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 With the Hypertherm unit wired as per the Centroid provided Schematics. Jog the Torch a good distance above any metal and test fire the torch in the air. Press the “Torch Test FIRE” button on the VCP and observe the Torch.
  • Page 24 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 6.) Arc Voltage Calibration An initial Arc Voltage Calibration procedure is used to configure the Plasma Torch with the CNC12 Plasma software. This calibration must be performed before using the THC.
  • Page 25 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Calibrate Arc Voltage by using the Centroid torch calibration macro: “Torch_Calibration.cnc” located in the c:\cncm\ncfiles directory. This macro steps the user through the calibration process. 1.) Press F2 Load, navigate to the Torch Calibration macro: “Torch_Calibration.cnc”...
  • Page 26 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Profile Manager A set of stock (aka “book”) material profiles are included with the CNC12 Plasma software installation. These profiles appear in the Profile Manager and can be used as is, copied, duplicated and or modified by the user by using the Profile manager.
  • Page 27 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Torch and THC Settings. These settings are typically in the “set it and forget it” category. Once the proper values are determined for good cutting results it is not common to be adjusting these values.
  • Page 28 Plasma Virtual Control Panel A Plasma VCP is provided with the Centroid Acorn CNC12 installation. This VCP can be used as is or modified by the user. More information on how to edit the VCP can be found in the VCP manual here.
  • Page 29 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Dry Run: When activated (RED LED ON) the Part program will run without the Torch On. Used to Dry Run a new program before actually cutting it. Torch Test Fire: A momentary button that turns on the Torch. Used to Test Fire the Torch before running a job to make sure the torch works.
  • Page 30 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Limit Switch Defeat: Press to temporarily defeat all limit/home switches which allows user to jog the machine even if a limit/home switch has been tripped. Use with caution as pressing this button will allow the operator to move the machine further into the direction of the tripped switch.
  • Page 31 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Target Voltage Override: Operator Override controls for adjusting the Target Voltage to be maintained by the THC. Can be used on the Fly (while a job is running). Overrides the Profile Specified by percentage, actual Voltage is displayed on the screen.
  • Page 32 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Set Z0: Set Z zero location. Used to set the top of the work piece to zero. Setup Z zero at or very near the first touch off point of a part program.
  • Page 33 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Set XYZ HOME: Resets the XYZ MACHINE home position. (not to be confused with Part Zero location) Typically used for when the Machine home position needs to be reset due to lost step on an open loop stepper system such as after a Estop/ESC/Cycle Cancel/Reset event while moving.
  • Page 34 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Operator Jog controls: Momentary buttons, Press to move the machine. Two Modes are available for Jogging. Incremental and Continuous. LED ON = Slow Jogging Rate LED OFF = Fast Jogging Rate CONT = Continuous jogging mode LED OFF Jog button will move the axis as long as user holds the button down.
  • Page 35 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Restart Mode: Restart mode can be invoked by several actions. By default, Restart mode is invoked automatically when the job is interrupted. This interruption can be instigated by: a Torch unexpected flame out while cutting, pressing Restart Mode, pressing Feed Hold, pressing Tool Check, Pressing Cycle Cancel* while running a job.
  • Page 36 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Position after a Estop/Reset/ESC/Cycle Cancel event. Note: Configured and wire properly most Hybrid Steppers and AC servos will not lose position during any of these events so it is usually not necessary to re-home the machine.
  • Page 37 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Plasma M codes M code Description Notes Loads the cut parameters from the selected Material Profile Performs the Torch Touch off and Pierce cycle mfunc61.mac Turns off Torch and Raises torch to Safe Height mfunc62.mac...
  • Page 38 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 System Macros Auto Z c:\cncm\system\auto_z_zero_macro.cnc Used by M61, a sub program that controls the touch off cycle, do not edit this file. Pierce c:\cncm\system\piercing_cycle_macro.cnc Used by M61, a sub program that controls the piercing cycle, do not edit this file.
  • Page 39 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Plasma G codes G Codes Description Notes Rapid Position Rapid moves are used to quickly position the torch above a touch off point. These moves are done with the Torch OFF.
  • Page 40 The Centroid CNC12 G-code smoothing feature will round sharp corners of a G-code program which produces smooth machine tool motion through that sharp geometry which results in better cuts. Centroid has developed and provides a default a set of Plasma Smoothing Profiles. The default set of values will work well with most typical Plasma G-code programs.
  • Page 41 S Curve Curve Feedrate Multiplier Acceleration Multiplier See Mill operator manual pages for more information on the Centroid Smoothing menu. Page 332-338 and 222-223 Note: Smoothing works amazingly well BUT, only when the machine has been mechanically and electronically designed and configured properly in the sweet spot for Plasma use. Smoothing will NOT fix mechanical problems or improper axis motor/drive configuration, tuning, sizing, etc.
  • Page 42 Just because the motor works does not mean that it has been optimized for smoothness. No amount of Centroid G code smoothing will overcome a stepper motor that has too many amps being pumped into it or has its phases not wired properly for the voltage of the drive power supply being used.
  • Page 43 MPG wheel as a Jog Wheel. Take the control to where the work is! A game changing tool, the Centroid Wireless MPG Control Pendant allows the operator to conveniently and precisely set up jobs and tools remotely.
  • Page 44 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Requirements: CNCPC USB port and Plasma Pro License file. The four User Programmable Macros are preset for common Plasma functions. Plasma Macro 1 WMPG button = Set XY 0 Plasma Macro 2 WMPG button = Laser Set XY 0...
  • Page 45 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Appendix Plasma CNC12 Parameters Parameter # Description Notes THC Target Voltage (Counts) Set by Profile Manager THC Maximum Offset Accel (Steps / Interrupt) Set by Profile Manager THC settings THC Maximum Offset Velocity (Steps / Interrupt)
  • Page 46 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Clearpath Axis Motors. Teknic Clearpath motors provide fast smooth powerful motion work well with the Acorn CNC controller and are a good choice for a plasma machine. There are two main models of the Clearpath stepper killer motors.
  • Page 47 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Note: Even for the 800 step per rev model Clearpath motor, Set the Input Resolution to a minimum of 1600, and be sure set the Acorn Wizard Axis Configuration to 1600 to match.
  • Page 48 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Advice for trouble shooting. Plasma Spider Forum resources Clean & Dry Compressed Air - Very Important Consumable Condition - What to look for & when to replace Rigidly Mount & Square Your Torch...
  • Page 49 Centroid Acorn Plasma Users Manual Beta CNC12 v4.65 rev6 Plasma Resources. Beginners Guide to CNC Plasma cutting https://www.plasmaspider.com/viewforum.php?f=202 Page 48 D:\Keith Documents\centroid_acorn_plasma_users_manual_draft27.odt rev27 3-15-22...
  • Page 50 5.) Verify basic torch function with the Torch Test Fire button on the VCP. 6.) Load a Profile using the Centroid Profile manager to select a Profile to match the material to test cut with. 7.) Run the Arc Voltage Calibration macro. See critical details to get this right in the corresponding section of this manual.
  • Page 51 THC_RX and THC_TX Specifications For THC_RX 200921 and THC_TX 210721 11/2/2021 Overview The THC_RX and THC_TX circuit board set is a torch height control (THC) interface. THC_TX transmits plasma voltage readings through an optical fiber to THC_RX. THC_RX transmits the voltage reading to a compatible control, such as ACORN, through a specialized encoder interface.
  • Page 52 THC_RX and THC_TX Typical Connection Overview svn://173.167.85.217/hardware/THC_RX/200921/docs/THC_RX_TX_MAN.doc MRR Page 2 of 7...
  • Page 53 THC_TX Features THC_TX has connections for arc voltage measurement and torch to part touch detect. The analog arc voltage may be supplied as 0 to -10V connected to the ANLV terminal. The plasma cutter must have a divided arc voltage output to get 0 to -10V input.
  • Page 54 THC_RX Features THC_RX drives encoder-like signals to a compatible control’s encoder input. A straight-through cable connects THC_RX H3 to a Centroid control’s DE9 encoder connector. Auxiliary inputs and outputs are available on THC_RX for future expansion. Internal Circuitry Auxiliary Inputs...
  • Page 55 THC_RX Specifications Characteristic Min. Typ. Max. Unit 24 Volt Supply Current 24 Volt Supply Voltage (Vsupply) IN1, IN2 Input On Voltage >3.2 Vsupply IN1, IN2 Input Off Voltage <1.0 IN1, IN2 Input Operating current OUT1, OUT2 Output Voltage* OUT1, OUT2 Output Current Size: 4.0 * 2.6 * 0.7 (W*D*H) Inches *OUT1, OUT2 open drain, voltage describes allowable external pull up...
  • Page 56 THC_RX Connections THC_RX THC Data Out OUT2 OUT1 Fiber In +24VDC THC_TX Connections THC_TX +24VDC Torch Touch Input Analog 0 to -10 No Connection Analog 0 to -400 (Not Used) Fiber Out svn://173.167.85.217/hardware/THC_RX/200921/docs/THC_RX_TX_MAN.doc MRR Page 6 of 7...
  • Page 57 THC_RX and THC_TX Mounting Dimensions (Same footprint for both) 2.600" (66.0mm) 2.200" (55.9mm) 4.000" (101.6mm) 3.600" (91.4mm) svn://173.167.85.217/hardware/THC_RX/200921/docs/THC_RX_TX_MAN.doc MRR Page 7 of 7...

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