Sherline Miniature Machine Tools

[PabloMack]

I thought this forum would have an appreciation for this quote:

[attach=1]

My research into machining has led me to an interesting manufacturer of tools for making (functional or not) miniatures (or anything else you want to make that is small). Milling is an interesting alternative to 3D printing. Sherline Products is located in Vista California. A lot of their customers are jewelers and watch/clock-makers. Their lathes and mills can be CNC-based. Since Planetside's new location is in LA, it means that their employees or visitors can visit the museum (and maybe the factory) on a weekend. I'm leaning very heavily in this direction at the moment. Becoming a (amateur) machinist has a steep learning curve, especially if you want to go CNC (Computer Numerical Control). Joe Martin, the founder of Sherline, passed away just last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbbjGg5_dIk
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/
http://www.sherline.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Tabletop-Machining-Joe-Martin/dp/0966543300

[Dune]

Yes, a quote to my heart.

[PabloMack]

I bought Sherline's high-end mill model 2010-CNC (metric CNC-Ready). I put together a control system of my own choice and tested it yesterday. Works great.

[attach=1]

Today I started writing what is called a G-Code Sender program. This is for real time control of the milling control system which includes both manual control and feeding of a tool path program that is generated by another piece of software.

3D artists would find the pipeline interesting. You first design your 3D object in a modeling program that would be in the category of CAD. I'm using LightWave because I'm very familiar with it. Next you use the model with some software that analyzes it to generate a "tool path" that will make the part. A low cost option is MeshCAM that costs about $250. Finally is the software that feeds this program to the milling machine. This software gives you real time control of the machine. These last two programs fall under the category of CAM.