Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC Sharline

Hi Bill,

I am doing a CNC retrofit to my Sherline (old Sears) mill. bought the
Motor mounts and new Z screw from Sherline. Good looking stuff. Bought
steppers (70 oz/in), software and driver kit from MAXNC (about $237 at
the time). 70 oz/in is a little light I think, but I'm not far enough
along to see how well it cuts. Actually, with the lead screws, quite a
bit of torque is available.

I put the driver board (very simple darlington 220 transistors driven by
hex inverters) in an aluminum bud box, xfmr on the end, outside
(wouldn't fit inside). All cabled up, and I can run the 3 axis on
Sherline Mill OK (phase drive). I have also ran a couple of demos
(upstairs in the office, *NO* cutting allowed!).

I Didn't like MAXNC's motor mount hardware. Stepper motors have *NO*
tailshafts, so you loose the handwheels. But then I think I might like
the keyboard commands better. Immediate commands, already thinking in
G-code (G0 X1.0...). You have jog also.

NOTE: old Sears mills will need a new set of X & Y lead screws also.

My plan is to run the MAXNC code/motors/driver until I see what it can
do, then eventually (possibly) change over to step/direction, bigger
steppers *WITH* tailshafts. The MAXNC driver/motors can then run
another project.

Look at FlashCut, Nice program, but you have to buy their "signal
generator" and then the motor drivers (figure on $1000+ before you get
to the drivers/motors). Saw it run in Palo Alto, CA. They have a Retro
kit for Sherline also (you have a Sherline I take it?), looks like
plates and spacers.

Sherline CNC kit (motors mounts & new Z lead screw) has tapered "cones",
with room inside for flex couplers, double ball bearings, and something
or other (loading nut+) to take up the backlash (?). I'm still trying to
figure out where to put home and limit switches.

DanCam has software, motors, nice driver boards, and now I think a CNC
retro kit. Another good place to start.

Hope this helps

Alan


william johansen wrote:

>
> Hi guys
> I was in the process of looking at CNC kits for my mill & was going
> to take my time , I got a job to sample some part mades of delrin .
> So I will need to convert a lot faster , any comments on Maxnc or any
> of the others ? I am thinking the Maxnc just to get going. Any help
> or guidance would be appreciated !
> Thanks, Bill Johansen
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SALESFORCE.COM MAKES SOFTWARE OBSOLETE
> Secure, online sales force automation with 5 users FREE for 1 year!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/2658/4/_/423600/_/961632760/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.
>
> Addresses:
> Post message: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@egroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@egroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@egroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... [Moderator]
> URL to this page: http://www.egroups.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> bill,
> List Manager