Spindle speed control with Sherline controller

[RobH]

Hello,
This is my first post, hope someone has an idea!.
I am running a Sherline cnc lathe with the Sherline control box and computer. I have installed Mach 3 as I found Linux Ubuntu a pain to set up. Everything is working OK but I would like to thread cut and need to control spindle speed from Mach3. Is this possible?. i.e. Does the Sherline controller have an input capabilityfor this.
Thanks.

[leggazoid]

You would need a spindle encoder, detects speed of spindle to sync z axis.

Here is an example, but I have no idea if it is overpriced or works good.

http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/latheencoderkit.aspx

Possibly this will do the same thing, not sure why they would use a stepper drive for anything else?
Some one please comment on the use of a stepper as a spindle drive...

http://www.sherline.com/6500pg.htm

[RobH]

Thanks Leggazoid,
Good start for me.

[boutje]

Originally Posted by leggazoid You would need a spindle encoder, detects speed of spindle to sync z axis. Here is an example, but I have no idea if it is overpriced or works good. http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/latheencoderkit.aspx Possibly this will do the same thing, not sure why they would use a stepper drive for anything else? Some one please comment on the use of a stepper as a spindle drive... http://www.sherline.com/6500pg.htm

The encoderkit cadcamcadcam is not ok for mach.
This encoder has to many counts/rev.

Mach can only take about 4 to 6 counts/rev.

[leggazoid]

http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/prod...roducts_id=129

what about this index pulse card? would it work in mach3?