Need Advice for installng VFD's in Retrofitted Bridgeports
I have 3 Bridgeports all retrofitted wth new electronics and running on Mach 3. I an now looking at getting rid of the noisy/clumsy vari-drives and going with a VFD. Probably going to go with a Hitachi with Modbus capability to control from Mach 3. I would like to get ideas on how some of you have done away with the vari-drives? What type of pulleys and belts? I have read mention of v-belts as well as cam belts. And where did you purchase your parts and what did you fabricate? Some pics and or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Need Advice for installng VFD's in Retrofitted Bridgeports
Is the air brake something you made or did you purchase it? Do you need a brake, wont the VFD brake the motor?
Re: Need Advice for installng VFD's in Retrofitted Bridgeports
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tcmachine402
Is the air brake something you made or did you purchase it? Do you need a brake, wont the VFD brake the motor?
A QC30 spindle requires tightening and loosening a nut on the end of the spindle to change tools. The brake is to hold the spindle stationary while you do so. It isn't for slowing down the spindle, the VFD can stop it quite quickly with regenerative braking.
Re: Need Advice for installng VFD's in Retrofitted Bridgeports
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tcmachine402
Is the air brake something you made or did you purchase it? Do you need a brake, wont the VFD brake the motor?
Everything except for the air fittings mounting hardware, was designed & machined in my shop, all of the machine & Head Mods/parts were custom designed for these machines
You need a Brake only for tool changing on these machines, the VFD braking can only be used for stopping the spindle, the machine brake can not be used while the VFD is running the spindle, or for slowing it down
Re: Need Advice for installng VFD's in Retrofitted Bridgeports
Quote:
Originally Posted by
keebler303
It isn't for slowing down the spindle, the VFD can stop it quite quickly with regenerative braking.
On machines that I have converted, B.P.s and XLO's where Quik-Switch tooling is used I used an output on the VFD set to operate at zero speed to take the brake off, this way I ensure the brake is off as soon as the spindle starts, I have a manual overide switch if the brake is on and I need to turn the spindle for some reason.
This signal can also be used by auto tool changers to inform the spindle has stopped.
I also used another output to register up-to-speed, for a FIN signal to inform the controller that a M3/M4 is complete.
Al.
Re: Need Advice for installng VFD's in Retrofitted Bridgeports
My bad, i should have known that.