Sherline Compatibility

[mporter88]

Hello. 
I just bought a couple of used, stepper equipped, Sherline mini machines.
A lathe and a mill.  Both in good physical shape.  Tight and cared for.
Came with an old controller box but no pc.

Rather than build a Linux box (as is the seeming standard for the Sherline machines) I am looking at modern options
that I can run from Windows. 
I have used linux but am hoping to not need a dedicated PC for this if possible.

Would the PMDX Box level controller products be a possibility?
What Windows versions can feed such a beast?

Am thinking of something like the PMDX-422 and Mach4 Hobby bundle.

The steppers on the Sherline machines are stock from Sherline.
Minebea-Matsushita
23KM-K035-62V

I am larger scale CNC "capable but learning" Mostly on an old Fadal and a new Shopbot.
Willing to upgrade steppers if needed or if there is a benefit.

This small stuff is new to me, looks fun, and I am willing to hack so...

any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.
MPorter

[mporter88]

Hello. 
I just bought a couple of used, stepper equipped, Sherline mini machines.
A lathe and a mill.  Both in good physical shape.  Tight and cared for.
Came with an old controller box but no pc.

Rather than build a Linux box (as is the seeming standard for the Sherline machines) I am looking at modern options
that I can run from Windows. 
I have used linux but am hoping to not need a dedicated PC for this if possible.

Would the PMDX Box level controller products be a possibility?
What Windows versions can feed such a beast?

Am thinking of something like the PMDX-422 and Mach4 Hobby bundle.

The steppers on the Sherline machines are stock from Sherline.
Minebea-Matsushita
23KM-K035-62V

I am larger scale CNC "capable but learning" Mostly on an old Fadal and a new Shopbot.
Willing to upgrade steppers if needed or if there is a benefit.

This small stuff is new to me, looks fun, and I am willing to hack so...

any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.
MPorter

Doh!  I think I need a motor driver between this and the stepper.
Dont mock the new guy.
The education continues...and any guidance would still be appreciated.

MP

[Steve Stallings]

Hi,

The PMDX-340 is a controller and motor driver. It is a complete
solution for driving bipolar stepper motors using signals from
a parallel port. It is the ideal size for running machines like a
Sherline.

Now the inevitable BUT... the Sherline motors are factory wired
as unipolar motors. It is possible to remove the factory plug
and separate the wires such that the center taps of the motor
windings are no longer tied together. Then you can run them
with the PMDX-340. Performance can be somewhat improved
by getting more powerful bipolar motors, especially for the
Z axis.

The PMDX-422 can be used to get signals from Mach4 via a
USB port to the PMDX-340. If you can wait until late January
we will have a neater and more cost effective solution to use
with the PMDX-340 and Mach4.

Regards,
Steve Stallings

[mporter88]

Thank you Steve.
That sounds the perfect solution for me.
I am not is a hurry and will wait and lurk until the Late January option.

No problem to do some re-wiring... but I am willing to replace the steppers
for a gain in performance.

If you have a particular stepper to suggest I would appreciate the expert advice.

Any input at all would be appreciated. 
I will spend some time cleaning the tools up, tuning out the backlash, and
running some manual parts.

Thanks again.
MPorter

[Steve Stallings]

I would recommend trying the original motors with them wired in "half-coil" mode
and connected to a bi-polar driver such as the PMDX-340. You may find the X and
Y motors acceptable.

If you want to upgrade, the for the X and Y axis, I would consider these:

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema23-185ozin-3a-stepper-motor-%C2%BC%E2%80%9D-dual-shaft-kl23h256-21-8b-duplicate

For the Z axis, I would consider this one:

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema-23-bipolar-stepper-motor-quarter-inch-dual-shaft-with-flat-282-oz-in

They are more powerful than the originals, but not enough so that they overwhelm the machine.

[mporter88]

Thanks for the input Steve.
I am going to delay work on the Sherlines for a month or so.
1 -To allow me to build and config my new 3d printer (Open Beam Kossel Pro)...
2 -To see what it is you mentioned would be forthcoming at the end of the month for control.

No hurries or worries.
Again...I appreciate your recommended stepper upgrades.
MP

[mporter88]

Hi Steve...if you are monitoring.

Is there some way I can sign up for notification of release of the new product that you alluded to?
I want to make sure I dont forget.
Getting old.

Otherwise I will just set a reminder to check in Feb 1.
Thanks.
MO

[Steve Stallings]

To get automatic notifications of new products and software upgrades, go to
the Announcements category:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-Forums/index.php?board=2.0

... then click on the NOTIFY button at the top right of the message listings.

[mporter88]

To get automatic notifications of new products and software upgrades, go to
the Announcements category:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-Forums/index.php?board=2.0

... then click on the NOTIFY button at the top right of the message listings.

Done.  Thanks.
Looking forward to buying whatever it is!

MP

[mporter88]

Not in a hurry but checking in to see if there are further developments on the
product you mentioned.
Will keep checking back.
Good luck!
MP

[Steve Stallings]

The product that we alluded to being more convenient and less expensive
is the PMDX-411. This is basically a PMDX-410 less the terminal strip and
crammed inside of a DB-25 plug. We have ordered the blank boards for
the production run and should have units available to order by the end
of next week, 28 February 2015.

[mporter88]

Thanks.

Will check back in a few weeks.
MP

[Miaximus]

I would recommend trying the original motors with them wired in "half-coil" mode
and connected to a bi-polar driver such as the PMDX-340. You may find the X and
Y motors acceptable.

If you want to upgrade, the for the X and Y axis, I would consider these:

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema23-185ozin-3a-stepper-motor-%C2%BC%E2%80%9D-dual-shaft-kl23h256-21-8b-duplicate

For the Z axis, I would consider this one:

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema-23-bipolar-stepper-motor-quarter-inch-dual-shaft-with-flat-282-oz-in

They are more powerful than the originals, but not enough so that they overwhelm the machine.

Thank you for the advice on this!  I really like Automation Technologies, alot of good CNC stuff and nice prices. :)   
 
I made sure the Steppers that I got were inside the 3 Amp limit on my PMDX-340.

Cheers!

Kris