Acorn CNC controller quick start video page

Minimum Components and Tools needed to build an Acorn based CNC control:

- Centroid Acorn CNC controller kit
- A updated Windows 10 or 11 PC that meets the Centroid Acorn Minimum CNC PC requirements, see below
- Typical electrical assembly tools, multi meter, wire stripper, screw drivers, crimp connectors, etc.
- Acorn Installation Manual (found on this page that contains all Acorn documentation)
- Centroid CNC controller hookup schematics (click 'search files' and type in "acorn" or "acornsix" to filter the results on this page)

*Warnings*

1.) Do not use the USB port found on the Beagle Bone Motion control CPU. The USB port is used for stand alone Initial firmware installation ONLY. (Centroid CNC12 software will automatically update the BBG firmware so no need to use this port once the BBG is connected to the Acorn) Using this port while connected to the Acorn will cause damage. The Acorn CNC controller communicates with the CNC PC via the Ethernet connection NOT the USB port. The Acorn board is NOT powered thru the USB port. Do not plug anything into the USB port. The Beagle Bone is preloaded with the proper firmware at Centroid and is installed onto the Acorn board and tested before shipping so everything is ready to run. No need for user to install firmware.

2.) Do not de-power the Acorn board while CNC12 software is updating the firmware on the Acorn board. CNC12 software will usually update the firmware on the Acorn Board the first time it communicates with the Acorn board and/or during the first time a new version of CNC12 is started. CNC12 will say "MPU Rebooting". DO NOT power off the Acorn board at this time.. let CNC12 finish the firmware updating process. It is safe to restart the CNC12 software at any point..just don't remove the power from the Acorn board during CNC12 initialization if it is updating the firmware on the Acorn board. If the firmware does get corrupted due to a power removal, this is referred to as "bricked it" (corrupted the firmware). If the Acorn board's blue Heartbeat light is not flashing once per second after boot up then the BBG (the Acorn's motion control CPU) is bricked. The heart beat light indicates that the firmware on the Acorn board is up and running and is ready to connect to CNC12. If no heartbeat exists then the BBG will have to be "De bricked". It is a simple procedure explained here...(note the de bricker instructions can also be used to "build" your own BBG for Acorn use.)

Step 1: CENTROID CNC PC minimum hardware and benchmark requirements for proper CNC control operation.

Verify that the PC intended for use with the Acorn CNC Controller meets the minimum performance requirements below. (Note: The Windows PC connected to the Acorn board will be referred to as the “CNCPC”)

We suggest using a Beelink EQI12 Mini PC and a Resistive Touch Screen LCD display with 16:9 aspect ratio (1920x1080 preferred as the CNC12 software is a perfect fit at this size.) You can purchase an Mini CNC PC from Centroid with Windows pre configured for CNC use and Centroid Acorn Free Mill, Router, Plasma and Lathe CNC software preloaded ready to run here.....

But if you want to build, buy or use your own CNCPC here are the Centroid Primary CNCPC requirements:

AVOID laptops, Atom-based CPUs, and ARM-based CPUs.
- Modern laptops often meet minimum requirements, but aggressive sleep/hibernation settings can trigger mid-job. These settings may disable USB and Ethernet adapters, interrupting communication with the CNC controller and accessories. Most modern laptops also ship without Ethernet adapters, which are required for CNC control boards.
- Atom-based CPUs will not run CNC12.
- ARM-based CPUs can run CNC12 through Microsoft emulation, but this is unsupported.
The multi-core CPU must have at least a SINGLE CORE benchmark of 1500 (mills, routers, lasers, plasma, and required for lathes). You can look up a CPU's single-core benchmark using this website. Do not confuse multi-core benchmarks with single-core benchmarks. The Centroid CNC PC Tuner will test the PC's performance automatically.
- http://cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html
- Resources for affordable CNC-capable PCs:
  - https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/diy_cnc_gear.html
  - https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1914
- * Be sure to run the Centroid CNC PC Tuner and follow TB309.
An SSD (solid state drive). Only Intel or Samsung SSDs are recommended. Do not use mechanical hard drives.
A minimum of 8 GB of RAM. 16 GB or more is recommended.
Configure Windows 10/11 for CNC use. Run the Centroid CNC PC Tuner and follow TB309.
An Ethernet port (not a USB-to-Ethernet adapter), and install the latest hardware manufacturer drivers.
A 1920x1080 LCD monitor. 1920x1080 (HD) is required for the Virtual Control Panel. Other 16:9 resolutions will work but may be scaled. 4:3 monitors are only supported without VCP. Touch screens are optional; resistive touch screens work best in CNC environments. See: resistive touch screens.

A discussion of affordable PC's that meet the requirements on the Centroid Tech Support Forum: http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2794

A copy of the Acorn Installation Manual. found here in the All Acorn Documentation page on the Free Tech Support Forum.

Step 2: Acorn Unboxing

Step 3: Acorn Communications to CNCPC Bench Test with Windows setup for CNC use:
Always perform this test before connection anything to the Acorn CNC controller
Follow along with the Bench Test Procedure in the Acorn Installation Manual.

New CNC PC Tuner App! Takes the work out of setting up a PC for CNC use! More info and download link is here.

Step 4:

Bench Test Running Motors. Marty shows us how to connect up the Acorn CNC controller to axis motors using the Gecko G540 stepper drive and stepper motors as an example