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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines > Stepper Control for a Sherline Mini (real mini)
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    1268

    Stepper Control for a Sherline Mini (real mini)

    I recently scored a D&M machining center on fleabay and of course it's inoperational. It based on a Sherline 1500 with 3 stepper motors. Man is this thing cute setting beside by Lathemaster mill conversion!
    Looks like a serial connection for the brain but it's an old machine. I want to gut the thing and set it up for parallel mach3 control using the existing steppers which I know nothing about. The axis fuses are rated at 7 amps and I haven't measured the ps voltage but it's doable.
    Since all of my experience is with G320's and servos, how do I go about determining what motor controllers I need for this thing. The motors are 4 wire (bipolar - heck I guess and cute little things) but there is no other information available but D&M4 stickers all over the dang thing. I'm thinking xylotex 3 axis board with parallel input board and charge pump. Mach3 and plug and go!
    Any advice, ideas or just general ideas????
    Thanks guys and gals!
    Bill
    billyjack
    Helicopter def. = Bunch of spare parts flying in close formation! USAF 1974 ;>)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    3
    i was just curious what ive done with your dm4. i just got one( more for the x,y,z, components and enclosure) then anything else. but all the eletronics are there for what good its going to do you. i found that a company named LAB VOLT.com brought dm4, if you go to their site and look up the 5400 model you will see one. the enclosure is a little different but hey its a start. larry s

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    1
    I'm interested too! I bought one from E-Bay a few months ago and just started looking into drivers for it. The Xylotex board looks like a good low cost driver, but the D&M power supply puts out around 54 VDC and would have to be stepped down to 24 to 30 VDC for the Xylotex board to work. I would like to keep the same power supply since it's one less thing to buy. But if I have to I will replace it. I would like to upgrade the stepper motors too, but don't have a clue on which one to buy.

    Unfortunatly the Xylotex board doesn't have a control for the spindle or any thing to allow you to have a jog dial.

    I even thought about getting a cheap break out board and using the old drivers, steppers, power supply, etc. But I don't think I would be happy with the performance of the machine in the end.

    Dale P.

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