This is Part 2 of my Kitamura CNC retrofit project, where I replace decades-old wiring with a custom breakout PCB for the Centroid Hickory controller. The goal: turn a messy wiring nightmare into a clean, reliable, and future-proof control system.

In this build log, I cover the entire process from schematic design in EasyEDA to solving real-world interface challenges, like integrating a 5V Renishaw probe and generating a 0–10V VFD signal for the coolant pump. You’ll also see the practical side of PCB manufacturing: applying solder paste with a stencil, hand-placing SMD components, and watching the reflow soldering process bring everything together.

This project shows how a custom PCB can simplify CNC wiring, improve reliability, and make retrofits more maintainable in the long run.

Watch the full video here: YouTube – From Messy Wiring to Clean PCB

If you’re one of my YouTube followers, you’ve likely caught wind of my recent acquisition – a used Kitamura Mycenter Zero CNC machine, for $3000.

In this YouTube short, I show the delivery of my CNC machine and a walkaround of this 1992 marvel, running on the reliable Fanuc 0M-C CNC controller. However, there’s a catch with these vintage controllers – they lack the solid-state memory we take for granted today. When the backup battery runs dry, you risk losing all your parameters, rendering your CNC inoperable!

To safeguard against such a predicament, a common practice is to back up the parameters. I wasted no time crafting a custom DB26 to DB9 DNC cable for my Fanuc 0M and efficiently read out the parameters over DNC.

I quickly made a custom DB26 -> DB9 DNC cable for my fanuc 0m and read out the parameters over DNC.

I followed a useful video tutorial to guide me through the parameter backup process, ensuring that even if the worst happens, I can quickly recover my Kitamura Mycenter Zero’s vital settings.

For your convenience, here are the backup files containing the parameters:

I hope this information proves valuable for anyone facing a similar challenge with their Kitamura Mycenter Zero CNC. Don’t let lost parameters stall your projects – stay prepared!