Data Sheet

-36-
To view or print complete instructions for all Sherline
accessories, see sherline.com/product-information/
sherline-accessory-instructions/.
3. FULL CNC—These CNC packages include a mill with
three stepper motor mounts or a lathe with two stepper
motor mounts, the appropriate number of stepper motors,
a new computer with a built-in, 4-axis driver box
(includes keyboard, mouse, and all necessary cables to
connect it, but not a monitor), a Linux operating system
and the LinuxCNC G-code control program installed
in the computer (formerly known as EMC2). With
handwheels mounted to the rear motor shafts, the operator
has the choice of manual or CNC operation.
Of course, no matter how you order your machine in relation
to CNC, all machines are still available in your choice of
metric or inch leadscrews and any of the accessory packages
can also be ordered with the machine itself.
Learning about CNC
CNC means instead of you turning the handwheels directly,
you are giving a computer instructions to turn the handwheels
for you. The language the computer uses to communicate
with the machine is called “G-code.” G-code is a simple
text-based language where each line of code tells each axis
of the machine where to go next. A driver box converts these
instructions into signals the stepper motors understand, and
they move the various axes for you. A stepper motor accurately
divides a single rotation into several hundred steps, providing
a predictable and repeatable method of precisely moving the
table when the appropriate number of pulses are sent to it
from the driver box.
G-code can be written directly by you, or for more complicated
2D curves or 3D shapes, it can be translated from a CAD
(Computer Aided Drafting) le using a utility program, or it
can be output from a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)
program as part of a CAD/CAM package. Sherline does not
promote one CAD or CAD/CAM system over another, and
there are many good ones out there, but we do oer references
to what is available from our website. See sherline.com/
cnc-links-and-resources/ for a wealth of information about
CNC and G-code. CNC systems come with a CD that includes
several free translation utilities to help convert your CAD les
(in .DXF or .STL le formats) into G-code text.
Several Reasons to Consider CNC
There are several reasons people choose to use CNC over
manual machining methods:
1. CAPABILITY—CNC makes it possible to turn all
the handwheels at once so you can make curved,
3-dimensional shapes, helical gears or other designs that
would be impossible to do manually. The ability to go
directly from a CAD/CAM design to a CNC machined
CNC Rotary Indexer (P/N 8700)
This completely self-contained, programmable unit is perfect
for repetitive radial operations like gear cutting, drilling
multiple hole patterns, cutting splines on a shaft or spokes in
a wheel. Using the keypad, you enter the parameters such as
the number of divisions or degrees of rotation required, speed
and direction of rotation. When the command is given, the
indexer will move precisely to the next programmed position.
The computer keeps track of the divisions to many decimal
places, so error is virtually eliminated. Backlash can also be
accounted for electronically if a direction change is required.
The unit includes a programmable keypad unit, rotary table,
motor mount, stepper motor, power supply and all connecting
cables. It can also be “daisy chained” with other rotary or
linear units to produce sequenced operations.
A linear version of this same keypad and motor unit is available
that functions like a power feed on any axis of the lathe or
mill. Various kits are available with motor mount, keypad
and stepper motor to convert any mill axis from manual to
stepper motor driven. The motor and keypad unit is P/N 8800.
If you need to install a motor mount in place of a handwheel,
the P/N 8850 kit includes the mount, motor, keypad, power
supply and everything you need to convert either the X or Y
axis of the mill. Other kits are available for the Z axis or for
the lathe leadscrew or crosslide.
CNC and CNC-Ready Sherline Lathes and Milling Machines
Computer Numeric Control (CNC) is the way most machine
tools are run in the modern machine shop. As more people
have learned the advantages of using CNC and costs have
come down, it has become more popular in the home shop
as well. Therefore, Sherline now oers you several options.
Any existing Sherline lathe or mill can be purchased in any
one of three congurations:
1. MANUAL—Any standard machine can be converted to
CNC later with the purchase of a CNC upgrade kit.
2. CNC-READY—These machines come with stepper motor
mounts on all axes ready for the application of stepper
motors. You can use our P/N 8760 4-axis driver box, our
stepper motors and your own computer running either our
Linux/EMC2 G-code software (included with driver box)
or Windows
®
based software you purchase elsewhere.
(NOTE: These machines cannot be operated manually
until stepper motors with dual shafts are installed.)
FIGURE 73—P/N 8020 CNC
system includes 2000 mill, motors,
computer and software.
FIGURE 72—This simple programmable indexer brings computer
control to operations like cutting gears.