The Sherline CNC Controller Board is a sophisticated device designed to manage and control CNC machinery with precision. It is engineered to work efficiently with various software systems, although it is optimized for use with LinuxCNC. The board requires a minimum of an 800 MHz Pentium class computer for optimal performance in frequency mode, ensuring smooth and reliable operation.
This controller board features removable fuses and operates with a voltage range of five to 30 volts, offering better performance at higher voltages. It supports a current of 2 amps in a unipolar configuration, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The board is capable of microstepping, providing 800 steps per revolution, which translates to 16,000 steps per inch with a .050-inch pitch leadscrew, allowing for high precision in CNC operations.
The board is equipped with a DB25 pinout for connectivity, which includes inputs and outputs for various directional and step controls. It also features headers on the PC board, such as H1, which can reduce motor power to a quarter after three seconds of inactivity, and H3, which can immediately cut power to the drivers in case of an emergency. The RESET header maintains the drivers in a reset condition when necessary.
Note: Ensure that the software used addresses the correct I/O lines for step and direction, especially when not using LinuxCNC.
1x Sherline CNC Controller Board
Logic high levels must exceed 2 volts
Logic low levels must be below 0.5 volts
Step pulses are active low
Step pulses must be at least 22 microseconds in duration
Lines labeled as LinuxCNC inputs or outputs can be disregarded in other systems
For non-LinuxCNC software, ensure the software addresses the correct I/O lines for step and direction
An 800 MHz Pentium class computer or faster is recommended for frequency mode
Motor power is reduced to half current after 3 seconds of inactivity; can be changed to 1/4 power with a jumper on H1
DB25 pinout:
1: Input from LinuxCNC (may be ignored in other systems)
2: X Direction
3: X Step
4: Y Direction
5: Y Step
6: Z Direction
7: Z Step
8: A Direction
9: A Step
10: NC
11: Output to LinuxCNC (may be ignored in other systems)
12: Output to LinuxCNC, XYZ home (may be ignored in other systems)
13: NC
14: Input from LinuxCNC, C1 (may be ignored in other systems)
16: Input from LinuxCNC, C2 (may be ignored in other systems)
17: NC
18-25: Ground
Headers on PC board:
H1: Reduces current to 1/4 after 3 seconds
H2: Unimplemented
H3: Removes power from drivers immediately (panic stop)
RESET: Holds the drivers in reset condition
Motor connectors: 5-pin DIN male
Voltage: 5 to 30 volts (better performance at higher voltage)
Current: 2 amp unipolar configuration
Steps: 800 steps per revolution (microstepping), equates to 16,000 steps/inch with 0.050″ pitch leadscrew
