G CODE & THE SHERLINE MILL Michael Stephens 20072 Table of Contents I. Purpose……………………………………………………………………………………p4 II. Background ………………………………………………………………………………p4 III. Overview of the Sherline Mill……………………………………………………………p4 IV. Setting Up the Sherline Mill……………………………………………………………...p4 V. Sherline Mill Accessories…………………………………………………………………p5 A. End Mills…………………………………………………………………………………p5 B. End Mill Holders………………………………………………………………………...p5 C. Flycutter……………....…………………………………………………………………..p6 D. Milling Collet Set…………………………………………………...................................p6 E. Mill Tooling Plate………………………………………………………………..............p6 F. Mill Vise…………………………………………………………………………………..p6 G. Step Block Hold-down Set……………………………………………………………….p6 VI. Orientation of the Sherline Mill……………………………………………………........p7 VII. Limits of the Sherline Mill……………………………………………………………….p7 VIII. Centering the Sherline Mill ……………………………………………………………...p8 A. Manually………………………………………………………….………………...........p8 B. Using a Test Program…………………………………………….……………………..p9 IX. Operating the Sherline Mill Manually…………………………………………………..p9 X. Operating the Sherline Mill Using the Sherline CNC (Inch) v4.51 Program………..p10 XI. Operating the Sherline Mill Using the Sherline CNC (Metric) v4.51 Program……..p10 A. Starting the Program………..........................................................................................p10 B. Program Basics………………………………………………………………………....p11 C. Different Screen Information………………………………………………………….p12 D. Operating In Manual Mode………………………………………................................p13 E. Operating In Automatic Mode………………………………………...........................p153 XII. Overview of G Code……………………………………………………………………..p16 A. Syntax…………………………………………………………………………………...p16 B. Tables…………………………………………………………………………………...p17 C. Example G Code………………………………………………………………………..p17 (1) A Basic Circle Program…………………………………………......p17 (2) A Circle Program with Offsets……………………………………..p19 (3) Rectangular Box with Cutter Compensation……………………...p20 (4) Pulley Program……………………………………………………...p21 D. Other Useful G Codes……………………………………………………………….....p22 XIII. G Code Writing Suggestions……………………………………………………………p25 XIV. Suggestions for Locking Down a Part………………………………………………….p28 XV. Feedrate vs Cutting Rate………………………………………………………………..p28 XVI. Other Resources…………………………………………………………………………p29 APENDIX A: G & M Code Reference Tables………………………………..........................p30 APENDIX B: Sherline Accessories Shop Guide For the Mechatronics Lab……………….p33 A. CNC Mill Z-axis Backlash Lock, P/N 4017Z…………………………………………p34 B. SHERLINE End Mill Holders…………………………………….…………………...p37 C. SHERLINE Flycutter…………………………………………………………………..p39 D. SHERLINE Milling Collet Set…………………………………….…………………...p41 E. SHERLINE Mill Tooling Plate…………………………………….…………………..p42 F. SHERLINE Mill Vise…………………………….…………………………………….p44 G. Sherline Step Block Hold-down Set…………….……………………………………..p474 I. Purpose The purpose of this document is to serve as an introductory explanation of how G Code functions. The aim is that those reading this will be able to learn the basis of G Code, and, more specifically, G Code writing for the Sherline CNC Mill in use by the Mechatronics Lab (GE 423) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. II. Background G Code is the programming language supported by a variety of CNC Mill Machines. While it is standard in theory, many different manufacturers and different milling machines will adapt G Code to serve their desired functionality. The G Code discussed in this overview is compatible with the Sherline Mill. III. Overview of the Sherline Mill In principle, the Sherline Mill is has the physical ability to move freely on four axes: ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘Z’, and ‘A’. However, the model in use by the Mechatronics Lab is restricted to the ‘X’, ‘Y’, and ‘Z’ axes. Control of each axis can be accomplished in one of three ways: (1) Manually: If the Power Switch* to the Mill is in the off position, then the crank wheel on each axis can be moved freely. (2) By the Sherline CNC (Inch) v4.51: If the Power Switch* to the Mill is in the on position, then you can use this program to operate the ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘Z’, and ‘A’ axes.** Once turned on, the control of the axis is done by motors and the mill operator will not be able to turn the crank wheel(s) manually. (3)
View Full Document
Unlocking...