VFD info wanted

[roofman]

Picking my milling machine up end of next week which has a 240V 3 phase fitted, i believe it has a 3hp..what is out there regarding a VFD to run it. Please dont fire me a load of random links, would like items that have been bought and used by our collective which have turned out to be reliable also how easy are they to fit and set up...cheers

 

[tigdlo]

I got lucky on ebay for a few Allen Bradley single to 3 phase VFDs, they work as they shoud, easy to set up basic and advanced functions as all the documentation is available.

How do you intend on using it? Fixed frquency to function the same as a motor without a VFD? Improved safety with a motor brake with e stop, speed control, different jog speeds for tapping, etc, etc.

 

[frank horton]

watching with interest

 

[Guineafowl]

Good ones: LS, Invertek, TEC.

Plenty of cheapies out there which many are happy with, but I did have one go bang, and the manuals are often crap.

The better the manual, the easier to set up and take advantage of the features. For my big Beaver mill, I got the TEC one which offers braking. Very handy if you’re too impatient to wait for coasting to a stop.

 

[Pete.]

Picking my milling machine up end of next week which has a 240V 3 phase fitted, i believe it has a 3hp..what is out there regarding a VFD to run it. Please dont fire me a load of random links, would like items that have been bought and used by our collective which have turned out to be reliable also how easy are they to fit and set up...cheers

First off can you say for sure that the motor can be configured for delta? The easiest way to tell (but not 100% of the time0 is to look on the data plate and see if it lists both 230 and 400v. If it says so then you are golden, if it doesn't then you gotta whip the junction box cover off and look coz I've founf some which said they were 400v only yet had the connections inside for 240.

Knowing this will help with your options.

 

[Brad93]

WEG Inverter

No nonsense, industrial quality, cheaper than Parker, Mitsubishi, Siemens etc

I've had them running in machines for years both lathes and industrial machinery with no problems.

I'd say the Parker are slightly better quality but they're a good 25-30% more expensive

 

[Pete.]

I've had a few WEG units and they were solid.

 

[jimbo84]

I picked up a cheap used Jaguar VXS on ebay for my lathe. (Only 1hp).

If possible with stuff like this I prefer getting a known brand used than new chinese but plenty have unbranded chinese ones that work well.

 

[brewdexta]

Another one for WEG, I particularly like the cold plate versions, no annoying fans. Also good In dusty conditions. I've got three of them.

 

[6ply]

Another one for WEG, I particularly like the cold plate versions, no annoying fans. Also good In dusty conditions. I've got three of them.

I've got 3 weg units, including a programming module that allows easy setup and monitoring using the free weg software. But I've also got a couple of cheap units including two with 380V output that have been absolutely fine.

 

[Anguz]

abb are our standard at work.
pretty bullet proof

 

[Robotstar5]

abb are our standard at work.
pretty bullet proof

Ours were Control Techniques drives, expensive to start with, but doubly so in our case as due to it being production lines each drive was duplicated to reduce breakdown times, we could just swap a couple of plugs over to use the standby drive, similar at the other end with plug in main and standby motors.

 

[roofman]

First off can you say for sure that the motor can be configured for delta? The easiest way to tell (but not 100% of the time0 is to look on the data plate and see if it lists both 230 and 400v. If it says so then you are golden, if it doesn't then you gotta whip the junction box cover off and look coz I've founf some which said they were 400v only yet had the connections inside for 240.

Knowing this will help with your options.

yes Pete a Vfd came off same machine

 

[roofman]

thanks for advice guys never used one before so atm its a minefield...i am a bit sceptical about the Chinese £70 ones that i do know.

 

[daleyd]

Brian I’ve got a couple here - I’ve got a Mitsubishi but I can’t remember the kw rating (I think it’s 2.2kw, 3 hp but might be 1.5, I’ll check) , and a brand new Schneider 2.2 kw one I bought using staff discount when we were owned by them.

You’re welcome to give either of them a try, see if they suit - you can have them for what I paid for them if they are any good. I

 

[roofman]

Brian I’ve got a couple here - I’ve got a Mitsubishi but I can’t remember the kw rating (I think it’s 2.2kw, 3 hp but might be 1.5, I’ll check) , and a brand new Schneider 2.2 kw one I bought using staff discount when we were owned by them.

You’re welcome to give either of them a try, see if they suit - you can have them for what I paid for them if they are any good. I

Dale you are the man, any chance i could pick up next sunday morning ...plus i can pick your brains about fireing the puppy up.

 

[daleyd]

Dale you are the man, any chance i could pick up next sunday morning ...plus i can pick your brains about fireing the puppy up.

Yes of course mate, no problem. I’ll try and give them a test this week, the Schneider one is brand new , never been opened and I have used the Mitsubishi one before so I know that works.

 

[roofman]

Yes of course mate, no problem. I’ll try and give them a test this week, the Schneider one is brand new , never been opened and I have used the Mitsubishi one before so I know that works.

great stuff mate, PM me your address again and the best time for sunday.

 

[Turbo]

You will probably have to do a fair bit of rewiring to use the original controls of the milling machine.

 

[minimutly]

You will probably have to do a fair bit of rewiring to use the original controls of the milling machine.

Just ignore it and wire the vfd direct to the motor. You will need a start/stop station, maybe use the existing ones if they are convenient. Oh, and a speed control potentiometer if you plan to use variable speed.