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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Benchtop Machines > X2 Spindle AC Motor Options (3 Phase)
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    42

    X2 Spindle AC Motor Options (3 Phase)

    I have a spare VFD 3 phase.
    I was wondering if i could put it to good use for spindle motor controller on my X2.

    Now the question what AC motor 3 ph should i get ?
    Or
    Am I losing my time and should just get a DC motor controller and "thread mill" type DC motor ?

    My VFD is good for 5 hp... but i think a 5 hp 3 ph ac motor in 56c Frame would be too big for the X2...

    So What size HP should i get ?

    Thanks
    Nick

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    3757
    Three phase motor yes.
    At lower speeds, the torque will be no where as good as the DC motor.
    If you are doing light work, and don't need lots of torque at low speed the VFD will work well.
    If you want power, like for drilling 1/2" hole in steel, with reasonable performance the VFD will only cut it if you use, like a 2 or 3HP motor.

    At least a 3 phase 2HP motor is not too big physically.
    Super X3. 3600rpm. Sheridan 6"x24" Lathe + more. Three ways to fix things: The right way, the other way, and maybe your way, which is possibly a faster wrong way.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    42
    Great Thanks


    2 hp it is.
    3600 RPM motor i assume ?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    3757
    As long as the BLDC controller runs on 230v AC and not 115.
    At 115 it will only run at 1800.
    Super X3. 3600rpm. Sheridan 6"x24" Lathe + more. Three ways to fix things: The right way, the other way, and maybe your way, which is possibly a faster wrong way.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216
    Quote Originally Posted by Nixxk View Post
    I have a spare VFD 3 phase.
    I was wondering if i could put it to good use for spindle motor controller on my X2.

    So What size HP should i get ?

    Thanks
    Nick
    I would think a 1.5hp - 2hp would be plenty, if you want to retain torque down to low rpm, check to see if the VFD has a feedback option if so an encoder can be added with the purchase of the encoder board.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    42
    Great Thanks for the input guys.


    So here is the plan

    - 220VAC one phase to transformer ( that i already have ) step up to 440 VAC one phase.
    - 440 VAC one phase to VFD ( AB PF700 5 hp 440VAC 3 Ph) that will turn it into 3 phase but at half the HP.
    - 440 VAC to a 1.5 to 2 hp motor (3600 rpm).

    Sounds like a plan.
    Thanks
    Nick

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    3757
    With the VFD you can probably expect quite a bit more top speed!!
    Probably run to 115Hz, more or less.
    Super X3. 3600rpm. Sheridan 6"x24" Lathe + more. Three ways to fix things: The right way, the other way, and maybe your way, which is possibly a faster wrong way.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    51
    I have modified my X2 with 3ph motor. A simple 1/3Hp one. With a vector drive VFD and a belt reduction(about 1:2.2).
    Motor size is the main constraint, difficult to fit anything bigger than 63mm axle height (don't know how it fit in fractionnal system, but for EU it's 63 frame).
    This will limit to 370w standard motor size (3krpm here).

    Vector drive VFD is the most important thing. Otherwise you get low torque at low speed.



    Edit: you can problably fit a 71mm size motor, which is 1hp max without too mush hassle (size 44 in nema system if I am right).

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    42
    Nice Setup Mr Chabot.
    Is your 1/3 hp (.25kw) motor good enough for the x2 ?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    51
    Sorry, It's a 1/2HP motor. I did the prototype with a 250w motor I had on hands (same dimension), but ended purchasing a 370w.
    Pretty much the same power as orignal X2, maybe better in low speed due to vector drive. But really better power handling in the long term (barely warm in all operations).
    Frequency is set between 10 and 100Hz, this gives me 250-2500 speed range. Did not go faster as I use taper roller bearings.

    Mounting a 750w/71mm motor is possible this way, I wonder if I will do the change as I have a 750w vector drive on hand now. It will be nice for low speed operations slitting saw mainly, and taping at lower speed with my tapmatic as 6mm tap requires speed to be doable in steel.

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