Acorn CNC control kits are both a CNC Hardware and CNC Software DIY system designed to work together for easy CNC setup and operation with minimal fuss.
Centroid “Acorn” Step and Direction CNC Controller kit: a 4 axis CNC control with built-in motion control CPU.
A reliable, high performance, industrial quality CNC control at a do-it-yourself price. Acorn utilizes an integrated 1Ghz ARM Cortex A8 Motion Control CPU and communicates with CNCPC via a fast and reliable Ethernet connection. The Acorn CNC control board controls a wide variety of axis motors and drives with industry standard step and direction command signal. Perfect for many types of machine tools such as: CNC milling machines, a wide variety of CNC Routers, CNC lathes to CNC Lasers, and other specialty applications. Compatible with small to large axis motors of all types and can be used with most any AC brushless servo motor drive packages such as: DMM, Delta, Estun, Teco, Teknic, Yaskawa and others. Any drive that accepts step and direction commands. Most all stepper motor drives are compatible with the Acorn board such as the popular Gecko and Leadshine stepper drives. Acorn runs on Centroid’s proven industrial quality CNC control software.
adam.m.debowski –
I have been running a 3-axis bench mill (Precision Matthews PM30-MV) with Centroid Acorn for over 4 years & couldn't be a happier customer. The setup is straightforward & intuitive and the support staff not only exist, they are quick to help. The software is constantly being updated with better/more helpful features. The software is great to use & has all the features that make using your CNC machine enjoyable and intuitive. The ecosystem of products is great. Everything just plugs in and works. If I ever build another CNC machine, it will 100% have a centroid control.
silver1row (verified owner) –
Okay and so...it starts. I had an older model Laser Cutter/Engraver. Although the fix was easy, I went with Acorn due to Beagleboard.org Boards and the PRU (Programmable Realtime Unit) onboard the Acorn CNC.
Before I knew what I was doing, I was getting help, solving wiring concerns, and making my beat up, ole machine run tasks. So far, so good. I cannot complain.
The only thing that bothers me about Centroid, critiques over here now, is the lack of personnel. I think the needs of myself and needy people like me who cannot afford to pay for actual support from Centroid and with lack of research skills or basic components knowledge, really need support. Solved. Luckily, Centroid has tons of already put together sketches and builds for most or maybe all equipment. I had some random, thrown together (expensive) machine that needed some TLC (tender loving care) and Centroid and their users helped me so far willy-nilly.
Although machine building is a bit dangerous and needs to be thought about in current times, Centroid's personnel have put together a forum of lists (hyperlinks) for my current system(s).
Luckily, adding PWM support was simple and using stepper motors for the laser build was very simplistic. All I had to do was make sure the e-stop was available and the machine basically made itself. So, if you think I am a kiss up or giving free, advantageous kudos to Centroid, you would be right. I received TLC for my machine from complete novices to skilled professionals.
To tell you the truth, I was a bit overwhelmed. New controller, old machine, and cahooting the two in matrimony was a task I did not think I could do alone. Forums!
Seth
P.S. Now, onto to lathes. Mills next!
Marty Escarcega –
Easy to setup, breakout board and motion controller all in one package. Software written for Acorn so no need to integrate hardware and software from two different manufacturers. True spindle encoder input for single point threading and rigid tapping. Wizard interface for easy setup. Diagnostic screen to show the inputs and outputs. DIY support on the Centroid User Forums https://centroidcncforum.com many YouTube videos to help get started. Best of all, Acorn comes from a company who has been specializing in CNC machine motion control for well over 30 years. Centroid is constantly improving the hardware and software. I have it running on CNC Router, with a laser module, installed on mills and lathe like the EMCO PC5. EMCOTURN 140, EMCOTURN 120, Light machines Mill, Dynamyte DM2400 cnc mill, DM3000 Lathe.
Uwe Mattern –
Before starting my first hobby DIY CNC project, converting my mill and lathe, I had to choose the hard and software. Since I am using CNC machines for production in my job, but having almost no experience in electronics, I was looking for a system with a full set of G-codes and M-functions close to the ISO 6983 standard and documentation with schematics helping me to get the wiring done.
Next important thing was to have a conversational interface to avoid using CAD/CAM for simple parts, since my goal is to be in every case faster with CNC than with a manual machine.
After some research Acorn was the best fit to my specifications so I gave it a try.
I bought the other hardware like steppers, encoder and the CNC PC according to schematics and documentation from Centroid, wired it up for a bench test and it worked on the first try easy peasy.
Next weekend was bolting the steppers to the machine and building the control cabinet. CNC mill ready to use.
The motion control is smooth like on production machines. Inputs and outputs are really fast reacting. Setting up the CNC with the Wizard is very easy and if you want to customize the CNC further, the PLC is very well documented and there are tools like the PLC Detective to test changes made in the PLC.
Tool and part setup with a TTO and a 3D probe is fast and the UI guides the operator through the process.
Now after three years I can say Acorn was the best option for me. It is running absolute reliable, look and feel working with the CNC is like an expensive production machine. Centroid is updating in very short cycle times to make the systems even better. If a small bug is reported, it is fixed fast. That is the advantage of a CNC control with hard and software from one company with long experience and being proud of their products.
Delivery time to Germany is usually 2-3 days
M Richards –
Yesterday, I received a model 4 Acorn and an extra relay board for my model 3 Acorn that I bought almost a year ago. Opening that package reminded me of the care and concern that Centroid has for its customers. The power supply was pre-wired for the Acorn. The instruction sheet is comprehensive. The backside of the instruction sheet that shows a connection schematic that should make initial connections fool-proof. I just noticed that even those schematics are printed in color. (My eyes have serious problems.) The new schematics that Keith notified us of have fixed all of the connection problems that I've experienced with ClearPath servos, Gecko G203 drives, and Leadshine (clone) drives. Those problems were not Centroid's fault. (The older schematics followed wiring diagrams from other manufacturers that were somewhat lacking. I've read Teknic's manual carefully about the fault signal. The older schematics followed the Teknic manual. Keith and Gary solved that problem months ago, but because I had a work-around, I didn't carefully read the revised schematic that Centroid published months ago.) I was able to work around those problems; but the new schematics make those work-arounds obsolete. It amazes me that Centroid is willing to spend money on so many do-it-yourself motors, drivers, spindles, VFDs and other non-Centroid products, test those products, draw up schematics to use those products and still sell the Acorn for $329 with the amazing Centroid software.
Next, the forum along with YouTube videos are great. Keith, Marty, Gary and Franco not only show how to use the Acorn, but teach general principles about CNC machining. Late last night when I couldn't sleep, I watched a video where Keith showed how to use a vertical mill. The video contained everything that anyone would need to see how to use Centroid products to make their equipment work. Clicking on "Acorn User Videos" from the Acorn page shows a list of videos that show how to use the Acorn. Going on YouTube and searching "Marty CNC" brings up Marty's channel with a comprehensive list of how-to videos. Searching "Gary Campbell CNC" brings up Gary's channel and his expertly produced videos. (Gary and I go back decades to my Shopbot days when I constantly used his advice to solve my problems.) Clicking on "Centroid CNCKeith" brings up Keith's videos. His knowledge and easy-going style should make anyone comfortable in trying an Acorn. One of his videos was with "MecTechMike". Mike's mill and lathe conversions should impress everyone. He surely impressed me and gave me ideas that will take at least a year to try. There are many, many others who have taken the time to post videos showing how they use the Acorn and other Centroid products.
The forum is invaluable. Questions are answered expertly (in most cases). Since I tend to be disruptive in some of my posts (unintentionally - I like to think outside the box and try things that might seem to be controversial), I expected harsh feedback or even censoring, but I've been treated with respect and courtesy. More, importantly, by reading what others are doing, I get ideas that would take a life-time to implement.
Thanks Centroid and thanks to all of you in the Acorn community for your help.
- M Richards
cnc_jim –
I have to say a big THANK YOU to Centroid for providing the best value in DIY CNC on the market today. I just completed the upgrade of my CNC router table to Acorn and couldn't be happier! Followed the schematics for the GeckoDrive 203V (only thing I kept from my old controller) and everything just worked without any issues. Watched a lot of video's that provided almost everything I needed to get my machine working. I saved so much money over upgrading to Mach4, Smooth Stepper and PMDX boards that I had planned for my initial upgrade that I bought a touch screen monitor, wireless pendant and upgraded to Mill Pro. The pendant is just amazing to use. I feel like I have a professions system now! Not sure how you can sell the entire acorn kit for the price you do, but thank you for providing this to the DIY community.
- cnc_jim
Extreme industrial –
My son came to me and said that the students in his high school woodworking class could not finish their projects due to their CNC router is broken. Well I couldn't let this be and in less than an hour, I installed a acorn on their router and all the students were able to finish their projects. I donated the board to the school so they could continue to use the router and many students will be able to familiarize themselves and use the Centroid control. Thank you Centroid for making such an awesome easy to use and install product. Keep up the good work!
- Extreme industrial
Makeron –
After dealing with Mach 3 and LinuxCNC for years, I must say Centroid is Light years ahead. Up and running bench test in a matter of minutes instead of days as with those other products. There is much to learn about Centroid but I am confident it is a very solid product. I can't find the words to properly describe the difference.
- Makeron
Revy –
Looking to order boards and other parts from you this week. I've got to admit - SO NICE having a board and software made by the same company. No plug ins from other places and the headaches. Literally followed the video and the motors were turning by the time it was done. -revy