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Thread: Repowering lathe
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22nd Oct 2009, 12:06 AM #1Senior Member
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Repowering lathe
Hello all,
Decided to repower my lathe. It is a Herless - model uncofirmed - but it is very similar to the Hafco AL-960B, only 1.2m between centres. Has 40mm bore, D1-4 spindle, swing about 340mm over bed and about 460mm in gap.
Now to my questions - does it make sense to change the size of the motor when I upgrade to three phase and a VSD? Currently it is running a 2hp 240V motor - if I repower with a 5hp motor do I risk damage to myself and machine? Is the size of the motor a crude sort of "clutch" to prevent too much power being transmitted to gears/work?
I look forward to reading your replies.
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22nd Oct 2009, 02:52 AM #2Dave J Guest
It's up to you but I wouldn't go any bigger than 3hp. I hear a lot of people going up to 3hp when doing a VFD conversion on these lathes, as it gives more torque down low. Remember the VFD's get very expensive in the bigger models. The belts usualy act as a clutch,so don't tighten them up too much.
Dave
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22nd Oct 2009, 07:37 AM #3Novice
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3hp would be the best choice if you put too much power on it you risk breaking something , also 3hp vsd are a lot cheaper ,esp on ebay usa. cheers Bob
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22nd Oct 2009, 12:27 PM #4
I'm running 3Hp 3 phase on a 1060mm between centres lathe. No problem at all.
Hooroo.
Regards, Trevor
Grafton
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22nd Oct 2009, 02:36 PM #5Most Valued Member
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What part does Centre Distance play in the HP.
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22nd Oct 2009, 03:43 PM #6Home Hobbist
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Hi markjaffa,
I would suggest you look at a 3 Phase Motor 2.2kW (3 HP) and make sure it has the output terminals tha accept the input of a VSD.
If you have only single phase at home then 2.2Kw VSD, one suited for Australian Power e.g. 240VAC 50 Hz will run the Motor. VSD's of this type also will run from a standard power outlet that is 10 Amp.
Regards,
Keith.
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22nd Oct 2009, 04:49 PM #7
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23rd Oct 2009, 01:12 AM #8Senior Member
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Thanks to everyone for their replys. I have decide to go with a 2.2kW or 3HP motor - a 50% upgrade from original.
Dave J and bobsreturn2003
I am off to China in a few weeks and I am collecting two VSDs from them direct. Two 4kW for about US$170 - for both! Also picking up two complete set of 3 axis DROs and scales for about US$600 - one for lathe and another for mill - Easson brand - same brand as H&F sell.
Keith_W
For three phase motors, it is my understanding that VSD or VFD or VVVF drives work by altering the frequency and voltage to change the operation of the motor. As such, connections are made from supply to the VSD and then to the motor. These connections are the same - whether a VSD is installed or not. Is this incorrect?
Keep the replies coming!
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23rd Oct 2009, 06:08 AM #9Home Hobbist
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Hi markjaffa,
What you said is true but I was just pointing out that the VSD input power connection needs to be suitable for connection to Australian Power e.g. 240VAC 50 Hz, as say in the US they use 60 Hz.
Regards,
Keith.
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23rd Oct 2009, 07:31 AM #10Novice
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hi its the frequency the drives change from 50 hertz normal aussie to 0- 100 or more with around 75 hz possibleb on the ones i use . main thing if you are not familiar is read the manual ! does it make sense to you ?bought a weg brand from u.s.a runs well .but had to get it set up as the brazilian /german instructions didnt work for me .their is a guy on ebay selling these in australia set up , could be an idea? happy shopping Bob
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23rd Oct 2009, 09:08 AM #11Home Hobbist
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I have included a page from the Hitachi SJ100 manual where in the part number they mention restricted distribution type, under the U.
Hope this explains what I was getting at.
Regards,
Keith.
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23rd Oct 2009, 01:59 PM #12Senior Member
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Bob
Not saying you are incorrect for the the VSDs you use but the ones I am looking at vary the voltage and frequency.
Keith
I understand what you are getting at now. There is no problem with the VSDs suitability for Oz - the VSDs can be made for 14 different voltage /frequency combinations. Excerpt below -
Single-phase 200~240V,50/60Hz Three-phase 200~240V,50/60Hz Three-phase 380~415V,50/60Hz
I couldnt save just one page to post here, but this info comes from the links below. The first is a PDF of their glossy brochure - a fair bit of info - but not for the size of the document. The second link is the FULL ENGLISH manual for the VFDs - lots of info in here - perhaps too much! Very well written though - not a cheap translation like some.
http://www.powtran.net/admin/userpic/20097241805.pdf Approx 8Mb
http://www.powtran.net/admin/userpic...1210393405.pdf Approx 2Mb
Thanks for everyones help and opinions.
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23rd Oct 2009, 06:26 PM #13Senior Member
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PRICE UPDATE
I am off to China in a few weeks and I am collecting two VSDs from them direct. Two 4kW for about US$170 - for both!
FYI a 2.2kW VSD is USD$136.
Sorry if I got anyones hopes up - there was a mis-communication between myself and they manufacturer. I am still getting two though! They can freight to Oz - adds about US$100 to price. Still cheaper than Oz. If anyone wants some, I suggest waiting until mid November when I have returned with my VSDs from China. Up to you - dont blame me if something goes wrong though - you have been warned!
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23rd Oct 2009, 07:30 PM #14
Isn't it "normal" that for a given machine, the 3-phase motor actually has a lesser power rating than the single-phase equivalent? Is simply changing to the same rating in three-phase not a bit of a boost already?
BillChipslinger
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