Product Description
About the Sherline CNC Cam Grinder
When building a model engine, one of the more difficult components to make is usually the camshaft. There are ways to make a mechanical grinder to do the job and ways to make built-up cams, but this is one job where computer control really makes sense. A specially developed Sherline software program allows you to input simple measurements taken from your cam drawings and output the g-code needed to run the CNC stepper motors that control the rotation of the cam and the shape of the lobe. Keep in mind that this grinder can also be used for grinding small cams for other prototype applications besides model engines.
The Sherline cam grinder was designed with the home shop machinist in mind. We have assumed that the user has some knowledge of g-code, CNC and how to square up or “tram in” a machine so all axes are properly aligned. The machine is carefully pre-aligned at the factory, but rough handling in shipping could knock something out of alignment. As with any new machine tool, it is the responsibility of the operator to assure that it is properly aligned in all directions before attempting to accurately grind a cam. If you are not familiar with the procedure to align a machine, contact Sherline for advice.
The grinder itself features the solid, well-engineered construction you have come to expect from Sherline machine tools. If you are making a few cams for your own use, making cams for others for sale or a club looking to invest in a machine for use of all the members, this machine will offer a way to take advantage of modern CNC technology to make accurate, well-formed cams with much less time and effort compared to manual methods.
What’s included:
The purchaser who already owns a Sherline CNC system can purchase just the cam grinder as P/N 8650, and it can be used with the Linux computer running LinuxCNC and 4-axis driver that came with your mill or lathe. If you do not already have a Sherline computer to control the stepper motors, you can purchase P/N 8655, which includes a computer and 4-axis drivers.
Features include:
- Powerful 1/2 HP grinder motor (120 VAC)
- 3 DC stepper motors with manual control handwheels
- Flexible way covers on Y-axis keeps water and grinding debris off Y-axis leadscrew
- Holds cam blanks up to 9″ long in collet (8″ long between centers)
- Tough black anodized finish on aluminum parts
- 6″ grinding wheel and built-in diamond wheel dresser included
- Collet holding fixture, #0 Morse dead center, faceplate, hex keys, and Tommy bar
- Laser engraved degree collar on spindle headstock
- Brass coolant plumbing factory assembled
- Computer and drivers
- 1-year warranty on all components for non-production use. 90-day warranty on CNC and computer-related components.
NOTE: Chucks and collets available but not included.
What is not included:
Chucks and collets specific to your job are available but are not included. To save shipping cost, some common but difficult to ship items that can be purchased locally by the user are not included. These include a metal automotive garage floor oil drip pan for collecting the coolant, a small submersible water pump for coolant, a few feet if 1/2″diameter plastic tubing and a 5-gallon bucket to contain the coolant. The machine will be shipped partially assembled. Final assembly and truing up must be done by the end user, as it would be impossible to ship the entire, assembled machine and expect it to hold tolerances after the shipping process. Technical assistance will be available to help the user through this process.
NOTE: The grinder motor operates on 110-120 VAC, 60 Hz current.
