Centroid M-series v8 software

[Ceramic Man]

This is another informational post/writeup -- a problem I have already solved working with my local tech-rep.

Older Centroid controls like the one I have (on a 1994 Supermax mill) have old PCs running them. Unlike the newer M39 and M400 controls in use today, M10, 20, 30, (40, 50, 60 are all the same) controls have a standard PC in a standard ATX form factor enclosure inside the control box. The one I've got is a M-50 running on a good 'ol 486DX2 at a whopping 46MhZ or something. Maximum system ram... 8Mb!! This system runs with amazing speed and no crashes on CNC7 up to version 7.17 in DOS.

But version 8+ has many new features and easy-of-use improvements that can't be overlooked. For a full list of new software features you can go to Centroids site. v8.23 was released in 2004, and is the last DOS version available. To give you a taste, it allows 5-axis control, spindle axis (vector positioning), macro arithmetic functions (if you have macro enabled) and much more. For me, the macro arithmetic is something I can't live without after using it on Haas controls for many years. Pre-v8 CNC7 only allows you to use variables but programs cannot manipulate them. Also, the new software gives a description of every machine parameter when it is highlighted. Very handy if you mess with these often.
BTW, software upgrades are $395 from Centroid and are now supplied on a Compact-Flash 2GB card with a reader that emulates a standard IDE hard-drive.

But v.8 requires a little more processing power and a LOT more RAM than 8mB. I found this out by trying. CNC7 v8. loaded verrrrry slow and then crashed with a memory dump because of lack of RAM.
Solution... Build a newer PC.
Requirements... ISA slot, 166MhZ+, 32+Mb RAM
By today's standards, thats still a pretty ancient computer, so not only will this upgrade be easy (for anybody who has built a computer), but cheap.
Considerations... since this is an INDUSTRIAL PC that MUST NOT CRASH....
ECC RAM (error correcting)
Low heat processor (No P4s, Core2s or up. These will fry within 30seconds of a CPU fan failure)
All ball bearing fans (obviously)
No fancy crap like CCFL lamps and stuff
A high quality, single processor server mainboard with minimal onboard accessories.
A high quality power supply ( You get what you pay for ) ( 400W or less is more than enough)

I used a PIII 800 with 256Mb PC133 ECC-SDRAM on a VIA mainboard. Why VIA? Because they make the chipset the board uses... another good thing. Another reason I'm using this system? I used to use it as an on-board computer in my truck for GPS, DVD with surround sound, emulated video games, wireless internet, etc. and it is the most reliable PC I've ever used... Ever.

The only special things to consider is that the control pendant uses the really old-school keyboard connector -- before PS2. You need to find a simple adapter. Also, the CPU7 ISA board is full length (it extends end to end of an ATX form factor mainboard)-- you need to make sure it fits in there. Some cases put drive bays in front of the bottom of the mainboard and these will be in the way. You could use the old case, but that means your machine will have downtime during the upgrade. Also, if your new computer ends up sucking, you'll have to put all the old stuff back in to return to the old setup.

If you've done it right, you've got a new(er) PC, running new software that has enough power for today's CNC expectations, the only machine downtime was the half-hour or so it took to swap the CPU7 ISA board and then the PCs and hook up the wires. And, if it sucks you can easily go back to what you had before.
Heck, after doing this, you could install WinXP or something on a dual-boot setup to read USB flash cards and load NC files onto the machine or possibly even run CNC7 in a window with DOS compatibility functions set correctly. I haven't tried that yet. What I do know is that DOS depends on the FAT file system which could cause problems with CNC7 in an NTFS or FAT32 environment. Win98SE is the latest MS operating system that can work in FAT16 and run all DOS programs without compatibility issues- and it supports USB1.1 which is plenty fast for transferring NC files. So if you go with win98 on a FAT16 file system, you should be able to run CNC7v8+ AND have USB functionality (from outside CNC7 but inside the OS). Using Interserver and floppies sucks, so its a huge improvement in "ease of use". There is a company that makes a USB/cardreader drive that emulates a floppy drive, but its 350 bucks!

Anyway,
Mine works great and I've been told by my dealer that the CPU7 ISA board will never be a limiting factor as far as communication or processing speed is concerned. Newer PCI versions are available, but you're looking at about a thousand dollar investment for something you don't necessarily need.

If your Centroid M-series based machine still runs great but you want more functionality, and/or you are low budget, this is a great alternative to a full system upgrade or a new machine.