Centroid CNC control sales, service, training and support

Centroid Software and Options Update to CNC11 control software version 3.16 for Windows (For MPU11-based controls with a PC sufficient for running Windows 7). Centroid Lathe 'Pro' CNC software (#14571) Upgrade to Centroid Lathe 'Pro' CNC12 from the Free version that is included with each Acorn kit. Threading (requires spindle encoder) - Rigid Tapping (requires spindle encoder). Nov 11, 2013 Last visit was: Mon Dec 07, 2020 4:48 pm. It is currently Mon Dec 07, 2020 4:48 pm. Centroid CNC Engraving Software. With our CNC engraving option you can engrave Letters, Numbers, Symbols and Logos. This conversational engraving software runs right on the control computer (or on your desktop PC) and makes it very easy for you to quickly create and place part numbers, logos, company names etc.on your parts. In business since 1979, providing reliable, affordable, robust CNC software and hardware with support, parts and service, CENTROID CNC controls are designed by machinists for machinists. With a CENTROID CNC Controller you'll be able to get more work through the machine with less effort and less time.

Welcome to CNC Services Northwest!

Since 1997 I have been helping owners of Centroid CNC controls throughout the Western United States and Canada get the most from their machines.

If you already own a Centroid, I hope I can be of service to you.

If you are shopping for a control, for retrofit service, or for a complete CNC machine package, call me. I can supply a package that meets your needs.

New Low-cost DC-Servo Retrofit Kits

I have new retrofit kits available, ideal for the small-machine and home market. These kits are based on Centroid's All-in-one DC control unit.

Click here for details.

Upgrades for earlier Centroid DC-servo control systems

The All-in-one DC is also an effective upgrade path for earlier Centroid controls with DC servo drives and motors, such as M40, M400, M39, M400S and M39S units from 1993 to 2009.

Centroid control software updates

Centroid's mill and lathe control software is available for Windows, Linux and DOS. The available software and the operating systems you can use depend on your control hardware.

The latest Windows release is CNC12 version 4.14. CNC12 requires MPU11-family control hardware: either the MPU11 board, used with a GPIO4D or DC3IOB; the Oak control unit; or the All-in-one DC unit. The recommended Windows installation is Windows 10 Home.

The latest Linux releases are CNC10 version 2.72 (for control computers with at least 256MB memory) and 2.38 (for control computers with less than 256 MB memory). Click here for Linux CNC10 information and features. CNC10 works with controls based on CPU7, CPU9 and CPU10 control boards.

Note that version numbering started over with the transition from DOS to Linux around 2004. Linux CNC10 version 1.10 was roughly equivalent to DOS CNC7 version 8.23.

The last DOS release is CNC7 version 8.23. Click here for DOS version 8.23 information and features. CNC7 works only with control systems based on CPU7 and CPU9 boards.

Tech Support

Click here for information on tech support policies and for useful pointers for making a tech support request.

Contact Information

Copyright © 1999-2019 Marc Leonard
Last updated 05-Dec-2019 MBL

Centroid CNC control sales, service, training and support

Centroid CNC Software Options

Pricing, packages, and policies are subject to change at any time. The pricing which follows is from Centroid's price sheet dated November 10, 2014.

Currently available control software options are:

Intercon (A, L)	Coordinate System Rotation
Cutter Compensation (A, L)	4th Axis (*)
Drilling Cycles (A, L)	DXF Import
Compression Tapping (*)	Engraving Software
Rigid Tapping	Probing Package
Multiple Work Coordinate Systems (WCS)	Digitizing
Subprograms and Macros (*)	Tool Touch Off (Automatic Tool Measurement)
Scaling and Mirroring	Automatic Tool Changer Support
Unlimited File Size	MPG Handwheel
Laser Ballscrew Compensation	M0 Jogging

Items marked (A) are part of Package A, which is included with nearly every mill control. Items marked (L) are part of Package L, which is included with nearly every lathe control. See Packages below for more about package bundles. Items marked (*) are included standard with Linux-based software v2.68 or newer, but are/were extra-cost options with earlier software versions.

Intercon (A, L)

P/N 10729

Centroid Cnc Acorn Software

Centroid's conversational programming software, allows you to create CNC programs using a friendly fill-in-the-blanks interface.

Cutter Compensation (A, L)

P/N 10851

Includes G41 and G42, for tool diameter compensation (on mills) or tool nose radius compensation (on lathes).

Drilling Cycles (A, L)

P/N 10526

Includes G73, G81, G82, G83, G85, and G89 drilling and boring cycles.

Also includes G76 fine boring cycle, but that cycle is only usable on a machine with spindle orientation capability (generally an ATC mill or machining center).

Compression Tapping

P/N 10620, $195
included free with CNC10 v2.68 or newer

Includes G74 and G84 tapping cycles, for use with a tension/compression (floating) tap holder. These cycles reverse the spindle at the bottom of the hole, but do not rigidly slave the Z axis feed to the spindle rotation.

You need to have programmable spindle speed control in order to use compression tapping. You do not need a spindle encoder.

You do not need the Compression Tapping cycles in order to tap with a self-reversing tap head (e.g. TapMatic or Procunier). With a self-reversing head you use the G85 boring cycle. G85 is part of the Drilling Cycles option, and is included in Package A.

Rigid Tapping

P/N 10810, $550

Includes G74 and G84 tapping cycles, for use with a rigid tap holder. These cycles reverse the spindle at the bottom of the hole, and also rigidly slave Z axis feed to spindle rotation.

In order to use Rigid Tapping, you need a machine with spindle encoder feedback (typically an ATC mill or machining center, or nearly any lathe).

If you must have Rigid Tapping on a knee mill or small bed mill, Elrod Machine now offers a Rigid Tapping adapter which supports a spindle rotation encoder on top of the spindle, under the air power drawbar.

Extended Work Coordinate Systems (WCS)

P/N 10600, $305

Includes extended G54 and E codes for additional part zero locations (a total of 18 independent fixture locations).

Since version 2.68, released in March 2010, the first six coordinate systems (G54-G59), plus G52 for coordinate shift, G53 for positioning in machine coordinates, and G29 and G30 for additional reference return point moves, are included standard with all new controls and with software updates to existing controls.

Regardless of software version or date, you do not need the Work Coordinate Systems option to use G54 (WCS #1) and G28 (return point #1).

Subprograms and Macros

P/N 10610, $995
included free with CNC10 v2.68 or newer

Includes M98 and G65 codes for G code subprogram calls; variables and arithmetic; conditionals (IF/THEN); branching (GOTO); and user prompts (INPUT).

Click here for some examples of what you can do with subprograms and macros.

You do not need the Subprograms and Macros option in order to use Intercon's Subroutines (Repeat, Mirror, Rotate, Depth Repeat). Intercon expands those operations out into long-hand G codes.

Scaling and Mirroring

P/N 10625, $220

Includes G50 and G51, for axis scaling and mirroring in G codes.

Unlimited File Size

P/N 10630, $550

Provides the ability to run CNC programs larger than 4MB. Generally, this is needed for large 3D programs, and is not needed for 2½D job shop work.

You do not need this option to store many megabytes worth of G code programs on your control; only to run a job larger than 4MB.

Prior to software version 2.68, released in March 2010, the standard file size limit was 1MB.

Prior to CNC7 version 8.11, released in January 2003, the standard file size limit was 640K.

Laser Ballscrew Compensation

per dealer

Also known as leadscrew compensation, ballscrew mapping, nonlinear pitch error compensation, etc., this option allows you to compensate for small errors in axis travel by measuring the error at each point (usually with a laser) and building an error map for each direction of each axis.

Centroid does not currently charge for this software option, so the only cost is from your dealer or technician for supplying it and helping you set it up.

Ballscrew compensation is most useful on machines with good repeatability but less-good accuracy: i.e. when any given move reliably goes to the same place (perhaps within 0.0002'), but when that place is not quite correct (perhaps out by 0.001' or more).

If the repeatability error is comparable to or larger than the accuracy error, then using ballscrew compensation will not help.

Coordinate System Rotation

P/N 10850, $220

Also known as fixture compensation, this option allows you to compensate for out-of-square vises or fixtures by measuring and storing a rotation angle for each part location.

If you also have the Probing package, then rotation angles can be measured and set automatically using the touch probe.

You do not need the Coordinate System Rotation option in order to use the G68/G69 part rotation G codes. Those codes are standard.

4th Axis

P/N 10360, included free

Allows you to use a fourth CNC axis. Prior to March 2010 this was an extra-cost option, though in general it was included whenever you bought a four-axis or five-axis control, or bought a rotary fourth axis add-on package.

Click here for Centroid's page describing some of their available rotary table packages.

DXF Import

P/N 10814, $305

Extends Mill Intercon to allow reading 2D DXF geometry (from a CAD drawing) into the conversational programming. You can then use features of the drawing to generate pockets, 2D contours, drill locations, etc..

Also includes a feature to convert a DXF drawing directly to engraving G codes, without going through Intercon.

This feature is not yet available for Lathe controls.

Engraving Software

P/N 10740, $500

Conversational-style CAM software for generating text and graphic engraving programs.

With Linux-based controls through software version 2.38, the engraving software is offline, running under Windows on a laptop or desktop computer.

On Linux based controls with software version 2.60 or newer, and on older DOS-based controls, the engraving software runs on the control itself.

DP4 Probing Package

P/N 10405, $1,590

Includes DP4 touch probe plus software cycles for 2D feature location, measurement and part setup; also includes the Coordinate System Rotation software.

Digitizing

P/N 10770, $3,350
Requires 10405 Probing Package

Adds 3D surface digitizing cycles. Click here for more information.

The Digitizing package also includes the options for Unlimited File Size (10630) and Scaling and Mirroring (10625).

TT1 Tool Touch Off (Automatic Tool Measurement)

P/N 10220, $725

Includes TT1 tool detector plus cycles for automatically measuring tool height offsets, and for setting Z axis part zero using the TT1.

Automatic Tool Changer Support

P/N 10660, $280

Provides software and PLC program support for sending requested tool number and carousel position information to the PLC.

This option is built into all ATC controls, and so is generally not purchased as a separate option.

This is a software option, to provide the necessary tools to support an automatic tool changer. It does not include any tool changer hardware. It also does not include any custom PLC programming, which is almost always required to support any particular tool changer.

If you are interested in pricing a control retrofit for a machine with an automatic tool changer, or are interested in adding a tool changer to an existing machine, contact me directly for a quote.

MPG Handwheel

For CPU10 systems P/N 10808, $495
For MPU11 systems P/N 11069, $495

Includes a 100-step electronic handwheel in a handheld pendant, for expanded axis jogging control.

This handwheel is used on current and recent (2002 and newer) controls: those with a 28-pin Amphenol port on the side of the console. If you have an older control with an 8-pin Amphenol connector on the console, or the earlier T-shaped M39 or T39 pendant, then you need a converter box to adapt the new handwheel to the old control. The converter box is an additional $220.

There is no software option or unlock for the MPG handwheel: you just plug it in. You can, therefore, move one handwheel among several controls as long as they use the same type of interface.

M0 Jogging

$220

This software option allows you to manually jog the machine with the jog buttons and/or MPG handwheel in the middle of a program, whenever the program is paused at an M0 code and waiting for CYCLE START.

This is usually used in specialty applications where manual adjustment or alignment are required in the middle of a cycle.

Packages

Package A is included with nearly every mill control.
Package L is included with nearly every lathe control.

Package A (Basic Mill)

Included with mill control

Centroid Cnc Software Download

Includes:

• Drilling Cycles
• Cutter Compensation
• Intercon
• Compression Tapping Cycles
• Multi-Range Spindle
• Spindle S Function

Centroid Cnc Software

Package L (Basic Lathe)

Included with lathe control

Includes:

• Drilling Cycles
• Cutter Compensation
• Intercon
• Compression Tapping Cycles
• Multi-Range Spindle
• Spindle S Function

Centroid Cnc Machines

Toolroom Package

Centroid Cnc Software Download

P/N 10772, $2,315

Includes:

• DP4 Probing Package (10405)
• TT1 Tool Touch Off kit (10220)
• Extended Work Coordinate Systems (10600)

Centroid Acorn Cnc12

Copyright © 2015 Marc Leonard
Last updated 26-Mar-2015 MBL