Instructions

There is some question about the reasons why some codes are included in the modal

group that surrounds them. But most of the modal groupings make sense in that only one

state can be active at a time. Note: It isn’t necessary to try to remember the words I

highlighted. You’ll learn these as we go.

Handy Tip: Milling threads without a cnc rotary table. You can mill threads

using a rotary table to turn the part; however if you don’t have a 4

axis, this

program would do the job. It uses helical interpolation and a single-pointed

threading tool to cut six threads at 10 TPI. The reason I switched to incremental

was I could use the copy and paste edit program for each revolution of the thread.

g90 g40 g49 g00 x1 y0 z0

g91g02 x0 y0 z-0.100 i0 j0.5 f6

g90 g00 x0.5

x1 y0 z0

NOTE: I have purposely started using lower case letters to designate cnc because I

would like to encourage its use as simply a word rather than an abbreviation for

Computer Numeric Control. This is the future of machining—simply the way things will

be done—and the designation cnc will become so common eventually as to be just the

word people use to describe having a machine driven by a computer make a part for you.

–Joe Martin

Troubleshooting

In order to keep this section as up to date as possible, rather than include it in the

instructions we now keep one centralized copy of the troubleshooting guide posted on our

web site at

www.sherline.com/trouble.htm. This section explains what to do if you

experience problems with the operation of your stepper motors, driver board or computer.

The most common problem people have with a new system is forgetting to plug the

parallel cable that comes out of the bottom of the computer into the parallel port higher

up on the back of the computer. This is how the computer communicates with the driver

box, and if it is not connected, the stepper motors will not run. All other problems we are

familiar with are discussed at the link above.