Show us your VFD conversions/installations

[whateg01]

Finally got some time to mess with cleaning up the wiring on my 10ee. I have had a toggle switch supplying power to the VFD since I got it up and running. This weekend, I wired in the machines factory start and stop buttons and a 3 pole contactor, using the third pole for latching. Pretty happy with the results. The contactor that was already there was not original and whoever installed it really cobbled it together. This is much cleaner.

Old vs. new (if you look closely at the right side of the old contactor, you'll see a black and a white wire going to the same terminal. Follow them down and you'll see them twisted together and wrapped in electrical tape with a piece of 10ga wire. Apparently, they didn't have any large wire, so they just paralleled them. I have done that in a pinch to get by, but never have I left it that way!)

Here's how it's wired.

Dave

 

[Johnny_V]

I finally hooked up a Teco L510 to my Bridgeport. So far, I'm underwhelmed. It didn't work at all at first. I did some digging, and found a service bulletin. Apparently, some of them left the factory with the wrong parameters. I changed two of them, and got it to work, after a fashion. When you power it up, it's supposed to flash '5.00' for the frequency. Mine just flashes whatever frequency I was running it at. It's very slow to start and stop. If you brake it while still spinning, when you release the brake, the spindle starts turning again until the unit ramps down. Still, I can make chips now, although power tapping is out of the question. Should have gone with a rotary phase convertor. There are zillions of parameters to change things, but the manual doesn't explain them at all. For instance, I can't figure out how to display RPM instead of frequency.

I took a look at the instruction manual for your unit and cant find any reference to display RPM, but there is a setting to restore your default parameters (page 4-21, code 13-08, setting 1160) , It takes some time to set all the available parameters, but the drive is worlds above a RPC. As a note, download the manual to your computer as it makes for much easier reading than the factory manual.

I recently installed a Teco FM50 on my Bridgeport, and true, the settings can be a pain in the ****, but the rewards are a machine that starts and runs smooth, and is energy efficient.

 

[MattT]

I took a look at the instruction manual for your unit and cant find any reference to display RPM,

Looks like 12-03 and 12-04 should do it. Page 4-75.

 

[bsaint]

20HP retrofit

 

[davewo]

Anyone know of a good deal on a 2HP VFD with a brake hookup?

I just picked up a big Rockwell 20" drill press, but the slowest speed is 500 rpm. I found a 2HP Baldor inverter duty sealed marine motor ($$$$) at the scrap yard for only $14.

 

[toolferone]

Bought a VFD for my Bridgeport.

Nice clean looking install!

 

[Johnny_V]

Try FactoryMation. They have a large selection to choose from and are affordably priced. I like them for being able to talk to a human being and for their expertise. I called a couple times and they were never too busy to help.

 

[Johnny_V]

Nice clean looking install!

Thanks, my wife tells me I'm ****, but I can live with that....

 

[whateg01]

Anyone know of a good deal on a 2HP VFD with a brake hookup?

I just picked up a big Rockwell 20" drill press, but the slowest speed is 500 rpm. I found a 2HP Baldor inverter duty sealed marine motor ($$$$) at the scrap yard for only $14.

I am very happy with the 3hp Fuji Electric that I bought from Wolf Automation. Also very nice folks to deal with. I called them a couple times asking questions and they were happy to help.

Dave

 

[bullnerd]

"A RPC won't do anything but spin the motor at whatever its nameplate says. That means variable speed and power tapping are both out with a RPC."

Why would they be out?

Wouldn't the machine function normally?

 

[MushCreek]

Variable speed with a step pulley machine is out, but tapping works just fine. I used to have a shop set up in my garage years ago, and ran everything off of an RPC. The motors act just like they do on 'real' 3 ph. I've also run machines on a static phase converter, and you lose 1/3 of the power, and certain motors run very hot. I'm not sure why only certain ones run hot.

 

[bullnerd]

Oh, Ok, that makes sense. I thought he was saying it wouldnt work on a VS machine.

So whats a better set up?

One large RPC running all the machines, or individual VFDs on each machine?

I thought I was done with machine tools, but I might be inheriting a BP, I want to start off on the right foot.

 

[whateg01]

"A RPC won't do anything but spin the motor at whatever its nameplate says. That means variable speed and power tapping are both out with a RPC."

Why would they be out?

Wouldn't the machine function normally?

Sorry, I guess I should have been more clear. Variable speed by varying the input frequency the way a VFD does it, would be out. But, yes variable speed via the step pulleys (or on other machines, gears, or whatever) are still possible.

And I guess tapping isn't really out since you can stop the motor and reverse it. I have gotten used to my EE and the VFD on it where I just throw the lever in the other direction and it slows, stops, and reverses and I don't have to think about anything.

Sorry for adding confusion.

Dave

 

[bullnerd]

No worries, I'm plenty confused already.

 

[davewo]

Try FactoryMation. They have a large selection to choose from and are affordably priced. I like them for being able to talk to a human being and for their expertise. I called a couple times and they were never too busy to help.

Thanks! I ended up going with them. I bought a Teco FM50 unit. I thought it was advertised as not having a brake hook-up (which I was OK with after seeing the price difference) but apparently it does have the hook up after all. I also received a paper catalog and will be ordering a few cool buttons, etc. that I couldn't find on the website. I miss printed catalogs....

 

[Johnny_V]

If you'll be hooking it up with a start, stop, reverse, and a potentiometer I can forward how mine is hooked up. If interested, PM me with your email.

 

[FLYS]

here are couple videos showing my VFD running a 1948 Bridgeport knee-mill.

 

[Johnny_V]

here are couple videos showing my VFD running a 1948 Bridgeport knee-mill.

Videos???

 

[930dreamer]

I picked up this Clausing 2276 drill press today, this might be a good time to try out a VFD?

 

[Johnny_V]

You won't regret it.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I picked up this Clausing 2276 drill press today, this might be a good time to try out a VFD?

Dang Dreamer, since you retired you are dragging more stuff home than I do!

 

[whateg01]

I picked up this Clausing 2276 drill press today, this might be a good time to try out a VFD?

A buddy of mine and I were talking about drill presses and what we would like to change on ours. I want to put a VFD on mine, and he wants to replace his completely. He said that they had several of those Clausings at work some time back, but had scrapped them. He wants one. I'd never heard of them before. Now I want one too!

Dave

 

[OccupantRJ]

Those variable speed Clausings are sweet! I used one on a job to fly cut over 2,000 holes 4-1/4” diameter in 1/4” aluminum plate once. Everyone in the shop wanted to kill me! Screech, screech.

One of those along with a vfd should give all the speeds a man could need.

 

[xman_charl]

DC motors

these are used for metal

ac motors are okay for wood

one motor is 1 1/2 hp, other 3/4 hp

Charl

 

[930dreamer]

I'm looking at this VFD for my Clausing DP.

TECO FM50 AC Drive, 1 HP, 115V 1 PH Input, 230V 3 PH Output, 4.2FLA, IP20

 

[Davefr]

I'm looking at this VFD for my Clausing DP.

TECO FM50 AC Drive, 1 HP, 115V 1 PH Input, 230V 3 PH Output, 4.2FLA, IP20

For the small price difference I'd get the L510. It's a newer model and includes a potentiometer control that makes speed changes easier. It also supports sensorless vector mode.

 

[930dreamer]

Super thank you.

The drive should be here by Monday, will I need to remove the drum switch?

EDIT;

Drive is out for delivery today.

 

[930dreamer]

It's here.......

 

[OccupantRJ]

Super thank you.

The drive should be here by Monday, will I need to remove the drum switch?

EDIT;

Drive is out for delivery today.

No switches between the VFD and the motor.

 

[930dreamer]

10-4, I"ll get an early start Friday.

 

[larry_g]

No switches between the VFD and the motor.

True. But you can use the drum switch as a remote on/off to the VFD itself. Study your install manual.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Davefr]

10-4, I"ll get an early start Friday.

Make sure you download the Instruction manual in addition to the Installation manual. Teco's documentation is excellent.

For a DP, I'd recommend a power switch from the mains to the VFD. I'd also add a small remote control panel right at the DP. (start/stop and speed control). You can also do a forward/reverse switch but for the few times I drill in reverse I just change direction at the VFD.

I'd also suggest programming the L510 display to show spindle speed. (referenced to Freq). However it's only accurate at one pulley setting.

I was cautioned to avoid carrier frequencies >6 KHz

Once you get everything up and running you can program SLV mode and do an auto tune to your exact motor.

 

[Greg9504]

Hi,

Here's mine. 2 axis CNC machine for cutting stone. I converted it to CNC. VFD's are used for the main spindle motor, and both axis motors.

When I got the machine it was in a shop with 3 phase power. The Y axis was manual and used a simple timer that pulsed the motor on for 1 second every N seconds (there was a dial to set it). There was no X axis.

- The main spindle motor is 10 hp 575 volt 3 phase motor. I have a 15kVa 600 volt to 240 volt single phase transformer run 'backwards' then a 20 hp VFD which controls this motor. Got lucky and got the VFD off ebay for $75USD plus shipping, unused. Braking resistor is used on this to help stop the 5' pulley wheels. They come to a stop in a few seconds.

- X Axis is 1/8 hp 220 volt 3 phase motor - through a 900:1 gear reducer, then a 2:1 chain drive for a 450:1 reduction to the screw drive. The screw drive is an old Hofmann automotive hoist, on it's side. Easily moves 5 tons. ABB VFD controls it. I push the little 1/8 hp motor to 7200 rpm when I want to jog the axis. Nissei makes a good gear motor.

- Y Axis is 3/4 hp 240 volt 3 phase motor - through 100:1 gear reducer, then a chain drive and a winch... not sure of the final drive ratio. I just kept changing sprockets on the chain drive until I got it to move at a reasonable speed for jogging it. I should really have a bigger sprocket on the driven gear. This one I spin to 3600 rpm while jogging. The problem I have is cutting stone is slow (feed rates are in inches per hour), so I have things geared so the motors try to run in their rated RPM range while cutting. But then jogging the axis (moving the stone into position) is so slow, so that's why I over speed them. Another ABB VFD is used here.

The CNC controller is Kflop by Dynomotion.

Here's a video of it all:

Greg

 

[930dreamer]

I guess I'm having the same issue as a guy on YouTube setting this vfd up, it isn't defaulting to what the manual says.

 

[Davefr]

I guess I'm having the same issue as a guy on YouTube setting this vfd up, it isn't defaulting to what the manual says.

Perform a factory reset 13-08
Connect the motor
Use the key pad (not the pot.) and select a frequency. (ex: 30 Hz.) Frequency will show right after it displays Voltage in.
Hit run

The motor should start and run at half speed.

Is that happening?

 

[930dreamer]

It powers up but that's all I can figure out.

 

[930dreamer]

I figured it out and it runs.

 

[bwap]

My VFD converted 3 phase hoist. Were attempted to run it with a single phase motor, but it just didn't have the grunt, but once we realised we could use a VFD, we did that.
I sourced the motor from the local Cadbury's factory when it was closing down.

 

[slodat]

I’ve had this 20” disc sander for a few years. I’ve slowly gathered the parts to convert to a VFD with braking resistor. It takes about 45 minutes to coast to a stop. I’ve used this enclosure on another VFD setup and it works well. I drew up the U shaped clamps to mount the enclosure at the bottom of the column.



Machined out of 3/4” expanded pvc sheet with brass threaded inserts.



Enclosure mounted up. It’s quite solid and I think it will work well.









More to follow as time allows..

 

[laser3kw]

nice mount job. Well protected from grinding dust.
PS - for the OP and everyone else- VFD's don't like vibration. It will shake the solder joints loose and cause all sorts of headaches.
If you mount the VFD to the machine, use rubber isolation mounts between the enclosure and the machine mount.