Thread: New Milling machines - which/where

Originally Posted by gmetal

A)
Add 240v 20amp line
CV IP20 - http://www.teco.com.au/cv-ip20 - guy on the phone quoted "ten eighty" - now not sure if he meant $1080 or $10,080??
KR-V2000 - http://www.standaco.com.au/products/...ch-knee-mills/

I would hope $1080... though that still sounds like a lot, and its not exactly that simple. You'd need to check that the King Rich will be happy to run on 240V. i.e. can the controls run on single phase 240V and the motor on 3 phase 240V(I'd be surprised if it wont). If so you'd then have to get someone to sort it out for you.
If the motor wouldn't run on 240V you'll need to get it modified or for the sort of money Teco as talking you could get a modified Teco drive that has 240V input 415V output. I have one of those drives, though if I was working for a living with it I'm not so sure I would go that way.

Stuart

Checked, it was $1,080, which is less then I was expecting. However as you said it's not 415v so a different solution is needed to run the 415v KR. What products would you recommend?

Originally Posted by gmetal

What products would you recommend?

I'd likely recommend you get 3 phase
Failing that, to repeat myself a little
I would first check if the KR controls and motor will run on 240V. If it does then you can run it on the Teco.

If it doesnt you have a few options, you can modify the mill so it will run on 240V
OR
You buy a modified VSD with 415V output. I only have experience with one 415V VSD. Its going to cost you around $1k
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-HP-DIGIT...item5894a47ccb

Though there are others that would appear to be 415V ouput. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-HP-DIGIT...item3f3e5b98c0

To use any of the above you will need to have the mill wiring modified a little.

OR

The same seller also claims you could buy a 7.5hp "plug and play" VSD and just wire it straight to the machine as is and the mill will operate just as if it was plugged into 3 phase 415V. You wont be able to use the VSD to vari the spindle speed though. He doesnt have a 7.5hp listed ATM but here is a link to a 5hp one. I'm not aware of anyone that has tired this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-HP-240V-...item58aa10abb4

OR

There are other ways like RPC and SPC(rotary phase converter and static phase converter) but I've never used one of those. So will let others chip in if they like.

Stuart

Originally Posted by gmetal

What products would you recommend?

The KR and Tormach mills are so far apart in terms of work envelope that my recommendation is that you decide what you need to machine before worrying about anything else.

Yes I did read the earlier postings but really, those machines are so far apart that I wonder why you're considering both of them as possibilities.

As a *pair* of mills I can see a lot of logic in having both, though.

WRT 3 phase, my recommendation is that you get grid supplied 3 phase and get on with life. It's a lot simpler that way.

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

The KR and Tormach mills are so far apart in terms of work envelope that my recommendation is that you decide what you need to machine before worrying about anything else.

Yes I did read the earlier postings but really, those machines are so far apart that I wonder why you're considering both of them as possibilities.

As a *pair* of mills I can see a lot of logic in having both, though.

WRT 3 phase, my recommendation is that you get grid supplied 3 phase and get on with life. It's a lot simpler that way.

PDW

I guess you had trouble reading my first post where I said "My only major restriction is 240v". This means no alterations to grid supply is possible. This is a limitation not a preference.

Additionally, you've quoted my question (what products would you recommend?) out of context. This question was in relation to finding products which can produce 415v from 240v 20 amp.

Originally Posted by gmetal

I guess you had trouble reading my first post where I said "My only major restriction is 240v". This means no alterations to grid supply is possible. This is a limitation not a preference.

You live in Sydney. Unless you live in an apartment block or villa unit, you do not have a restriction to 240V, you have a lack of inclination to get 415V.

Do not tell me it can't be done because I am sitting in my Sydney house right now, and it has 415V 3 phase power connected. I had it done some years ago and since then, 3 phase air conditioners etc have become far more common, so has 3 phase power connections to domestic premises.

So my recommendation is that you investigate getting grid 3 phase because this will be a hell of a lot less aggravation than any of the alternatives.

As for the mills, there are a couple on eBay worth a look ATM. The Tormach has a tiny work envelope. The KR has quite a substantial work envelope. Which do you need?

Personally I'd do my best to buy a machine with a 40 taper spindle because such machines are almost always quite rigid and the tooling is both widely available and dirt cheap. It also repeats Z position due to the nature of the taper and drive keys, something Morse, R8 and other similar spindle noses don't do.

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

You live in Sydney. Unless you live in an apartment block or villa unit, you do not have a restriction to 240V, you have a lack of inclination to get 415V.

Do not tell me it can't be done because I am sitting in my Sydney house right now, and it has 415V 3 phase power connected. I had it done some years ago and since then, 3 phase air conditioners etc have become far more common, so has 3 phase power connections to domestic premises.

So my recommendation is that you investigate getting grid 3 phase because this will be a hell of a lot less aggravation than any of the alternatives.

As for the mills, there are a couple on eBay worth a look ATM. The Tormach has a tiny work envelope. The KR has quite a substantial work envelope. Which do you need?

Personally I'd do my best to buy a machine with a 40 taper spindle because such machines are almost always quite rigid and the tooling is both widely available and dirt cheap. It also repeats Z position due to the nature of the taper and drive keys, something Morse, R8 and other similar spindle noses don't do.

PDW

It's nice that you have 415v 3 phase. Good for you. Myself, I've already made it VERY clear I cannot change the mains. You do not know what my housing/workshop situation is, so continuing to insist on your point is quite arrogant (and a turn off re this forum).

I came close to connecting 3 phase. It is possible and if I REALLY wanted to I could but in the end I just couldn't justify running a trench from the front pillar to the shed, 100M away for dedicated 3 phase.

For some people, retrofitting 3 phase my mean cutting up their driveway to re-route the cabling. While it can be done, it may come at an unjustifiable cost and inconvenience.

Simon