Replacing control board on hobby cnc lathe

[satxrod]

Hello All, my name is Marc and I'm a new member.
I recently purchased a sherline cnc lathe configured into one of those educational kits. It's enclosed in a sherman tank of a steel encloser (I'm sure to protect the "children") with the control boards in the back accessable from a removable panel.
Well as you can imagine, no software came with this and the info I've come across is that I'm better off gutting the old boards and replacing with new.
So that's why I'm here. I found this board on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-Controller-/230522578134?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ac3764d6

and I'm wondering if this will do the trick. I've posted some pictures of my current setup. Not entirely sure but my current arrangement has a control board? a breakout board? and a something else (see pictures. If you can id what these boards are I would appreciate the knowledge)
Will the board on ebay replace these three boards? A guy over in the robotics course at our Community College says yes but I'd like a second opinion from one (or more) of you guys.
Thanks Guys!
Marc
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b470/satxrod/IMGP1949.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b470/satxrod/IMGP1932.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b470/satxrod/IMGP1954.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b470/satxrod/IMGP1953.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b470/satxrod/IMGP1955.jpg

[john buck]

The TB 6560 I think is the one they are talking about on the "cnczone".
It has a lot of problems, check it out.
I wasted my money on cheap stepper drivers and all their problems
and then I bought Geckos and no more problems.

[Don Young]

I can't give you any specific information on your boards.

You need to realize that to make your lathe work you will need a computer in addition to the control/driver and breakout boards. All of these will have to be compatible with each other and with the motors on your lathe. Then you will need "CAM" software on your computer to make all that stuff do something. Then you will probably want "CAD" software to design the part(s) you want to make. All this software also has to be compatible to work with your computer, boards, and motors.

I know your desire to get it going, but my advice would be to go really slow. Be sure you know what you want and need for the whole system, otherwise you may waste a lot of time and money. There are a lot of Sherline CNC machines and users and there is plenty of information available. There is so much information that it can take you quite a while to get it all sorted out.

Best of luck, Don Young

[satxrod]

Thanks for the advice John.
I was just about to purchase one of those boards. Now I'll do me some reading about it.

[satxrod]

Hello Don and thanks for responding to my inquiry.
Guess I should have mentioned a little about my background. I was a machinist for 15 of the 20 years I was in the service. Towards the end of my time as a machinist, the shop I was in got it's first CNC, a Bridgeport series II interact 4. I learned to write code for simple jobs right on the pendent and how to design parts using Bridgeport's "Easy-Mill" Cad/Cam software. Nothing too elaborate mind you, but I got the gist of it.
So I have a good idea of what to do, when I finally get it up and running. I just am a bit weak on the whole "electronics" part of it.
I've got an evaluation copy of Mach 3 that I've been familiarizing myself with and I think I'll start with that at least until I learn more.
I just have to get this electronic stuff sorted out.
John responded earlier and he recommend Gecko controls. I'll take a look at that although someone told me those may be "overkill" on my little setup.
Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!
So much to learn, so little time to do it

Marc

[macona]

There is a guy over on the general side retrofitting the same machine but in mill form. The stepper drive board in that unit will take step/dir pulses from a parallel port so you dont need to replace the stepper driver.

[satxrod]

Thank you!
I'll take a look

[DICKEYBIRD]

Hey Marc, can you post a pic of the back side of the controller board? The one on photobucket pic #1954. Mine is similar...but different.:) You may be able to patch into the correct step/dir/gnd pins and use the board you have.

I posted a response to your question on one of the threads on my Micromill.