We support a number of clients with Cincinnati Acramatic 850 control systems, which are definitely near end-of-life… maybe a bit beyond it.
We are working on clean solutions for retrofitting these controls using LinuxCNC, but also support use of Centroid’s OAK controller (see below).
Motion interface
Our new FAR-25 control interface connects to quadrature encoders, axis servos, and a spindle, plus provides some local I/O.
While not designed specifically for direct-plugin replacement for the A850, it’s a pretty easy substitute, especially using the wiring adapters discussed below.
I/O Rack
Our ADD-A850 board plugs into the Acramatic 850 I/O rack and connects it to a Centroid OAK controller or one of our controllers like FAR-25. The card plugs into the left slot of the I/O rack and connects to a CNC controller using a high-speed serial link.
This interface is in use on a 30×80″ Cincinnati CNC lathe in 2024.
Connectors too?
Because Acramatic 850 uses Metrimate connectors, which are expensive and pretty much obsolete, we came up with a simple way to eliminate them. Our new BoB PT boards allow you to terminate your existing cabling onto the FAR-25 control interface, with no soldering.
Chop off the old ends, strip the wires, poke into the new blocks (it is best if you connect them in the right places!), and off you go.
If you like, you can remote mount the BoB PT boards on a panel using standoffs and run short ribbon cables to FAR-25 for a neat layout.
Lab testing of prototypes is under way and we hope to have this board combination beta testing in machines in May 2022.