Vectric Customer

With many/most controllers you will set soft limits .05" or so inside the hard stops or sensors and the machine should then decel before hitting any switch or sensor. That said, if a sensor was hit, control should allow movement in the direction away from the sensor. (If properly setup)

With many/most controllers you will set soft limits .05" or so inside the hard stops or sensors and the machine should then decel before hitting any switch or sensor. That said, if a sensor was hit, control should allow movement in the direction away from the sensor. (If properly setup)

Yes its tough, but can be done. Here is a testing video from 7-8 years ago that was part of my rotary axis "mythbusters" machine. Test is not for quality, but to see how aggressively one could plunge and cut close to 4" off center as a comparison to some OEM 4th axes. As you can see (about 5 minutes...

I DID IT. Point Cloud to Aspire model - I DID IT. 1) Point Cloud Data. 2) Open in Meshlab 3) Save as STL 4) Open in some editing software 5) Create solid 6) Save as STL 7) Import in Aspire DONE DEAL. Now I can feel confident to spend the money on the Centroid Probing/Digitizing I knew it was doable...

Gary, Keith made a post on the Centroid user forum that the Centroid software can convert to raw point data with a selection of ? output to CAD ? or something like that. Yes it can, there is a "DIG to CAD" button that outputs raw coordinate numbers (no XYZ labels) if that works better for your soft...

Leo... I've spoken to a friend that has done this. Even tho he uses much higher priced software than Aspire, the process is the same, and he noted there are a number of super cheap or free programs that will make a conversion. Here are the steps: 1) Use the Centroid Digitize Grid feature (dot DIG fi...

There is a lot of information regarding vacuum systems on CNC machines on the web, some of it is even true. Answers: 1) Yes, top and bottom before it is installed. Most heavy and almost all big box MDF wont work well 2) Yes, much better than when holes are drilled (of any size) 3) Yes, unless the in...

Leo...
I have a number of systems out there that are using a touchscreen & MPG pendant, no keyboard or mouse. It works well for the inexperienced as they don't muff things up by entering the wrong data in the MDI and also makes experienced users with ATC pretty smiley too.

Leo .. If they worked with Mach (step & direction) then they will work with Acorn. Your 4 axis, 5 motor config will work (requires pro), but you will not be able to implement independent auto square. You should register and post your questions on the Acorn forum, the user base is strong, Centroid st...

Gary --- OK ---- Centroid is looking good. For one thing I trust you and your level of expertise. I also like that Centriod is USA made and supported. It seems that with some DETAILED information from me we can design a complete "package" for what I really want. I would go with either PRO or Ultima...

"As a "user" I would consider myself a professional. I would like MacroB - but not willing to pay for it." You may want to look at Centroid's Advanced Macro Programming. It may do even more than you remember from the Macro B days. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/downloads/acorn_documentati...

Ted, Leo, etal.... The software "levels' with Centroid CNC12 control software work similar to what Mach did in the old days. There are 3 of them. Free, Pro and Ultimate. Free will allow a user to fire up a machine and cut files, but there is a file size limit. Pro removes that limit and adds numerou...

Having built and sold a number of CNC lathes I can say that you can generate toolpaths with Vectric software, but there are workarounds involved. You will have to provide the entry and exit vectors and then use the offset tool for the incremental passes. Here is a screenshot of that approach: Lathe ...

WinCNC will have a tool number limit set in the INI file with the"t" parameter on the "positions=" line. There must also be a tool change macro for each viable tool number listed in the "CNC.mac" file

Nice job Bill...
Back in the day we had to hand code if we wanted to cut dovetails. This one copies the half blind version that you get off numerous commercial jigs: