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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    West OZ
    Posts
    151

    Question 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.

  2. #2
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    kuranda north qld
    Posts
    18

    Smile

    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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Grafton, N.S.W.
    Age
    63
    Posts
    185

    Default

    I'm running 3Hp 3 phase on a 1060mm between centres lathe. No problem at all.
    Hooroo.
    Regards, Trevor
    Grafton

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    What part does Centre Distance play in the HP.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Oatley NSW
    Age
    69
    Posts
    257

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Grafton, N.S.W.
    Age
    63
    Posts
    185

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    What part does Centre Distance play in the HP.
    Bugger-all
    Hooroo.
    Regards, Trevor
    Grafton

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    West OZ
    Posts
    151

    Default

    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!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Oatley NSW
    Age
    69
    Posts
    257

    Default

    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    kuranda north qld
    Posts
    18

    Default

    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

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Oatley NSW
    Age
    69
    Posts
    257

    Default

    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.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    West OZ
    Posts
    151

    Default

    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
    Three-phase 440~460V,50/60Hz Three-phase 575V,50/60Hz Three-phase 660V,50/60Hz Three-phase 1140V,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.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    West OZ
    Posts
    151

    Default

    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!
    INCORRECT. Price is US$168 EACH, not for a pair.

    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!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Macedon, Victoria.
    Age
    65
    Posts
    68

    Default

    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?
    Bill
    Chipslinger

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