I successfully turned a 10 hour job into about 40, but I'm really happy with the results. I got myself a Chinese 3HP Variable Frequency Drive for cheap. At the price I paid, I figured it was a worthwhile experiment. The plan was to use it instead of sharing the RPC with the compressor that it's currently powering.
As the VFD only powers the (spindle) motor, I had to figure out a way to power the coolant pump and run the table feed. To do that required fully rewiring the electrical of the mill. Here's a quick video of how it turned out.
[video=youtube;mKDn6rF6CKI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKDn6rF6CKI&feature=plcp[/video]
I've got one problem that I can't figure out though. I used the correct pot and I've got the VFD programed to vary speed based on a 0-10VDC range. I've confirmed that I've got that spread out over the full range of the pot. However when running, the VFD reaches max programmed speed at 25% travel of the pot travel. By using the 5VDC output, I get full rpm at 50% on the dial (which is what you see on the video). I can't figure out why it's doing that. Anyone have any suggestions?
-kelly
As the VFD only powers the (spindle) motor, I had to figure out a way to power the coolant pump and run the table feed. To do that required fully rewiring the electrical of the mill. Here's a quick video of how it turned out.
[video=youtube;mKDn6rF6CKI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKDn6rF6CKI&feature=plcp[/video]
I've got one problem that I can't figure out though. I used the correct pot and I've got the VFD programed to vary speed based on a 0-10VDC range. I've confirmed that I've got that spread out over the full range of the pot. However when running, the VFD reaches max programmed speed at 25% travel of the pot travel. By using the 5VDC output, I get full rpm at 50% on the dial (which is what you see on the video). I can't figure out why it's doing that. Anyone have any suggestions?
-kelly