Driving an existing motor with a motor
Driving an existing motor with a motor
(OP)
I just bought a mill at a great price, its three phase, and to save buying another converter(I live miles from three phase) Im going to run this on single phase.
Due to the machines design the spindle motor frame is tailored to the machine, as is its mounting method.
So, to save messing(says he), and getting it rewound and all that, I intend mounting a single phase motor beside it, removing the fan off the three phase motor, fitting a pulley on there, and driving the quill with the single phase motor, through the existing three phase motor.
Its actually easier to pull off in reality that it sounds, which is why Im thinking strongly of doing it.
Now, onto the question...
Will I have to gut the three phase motor for fear the windings will cause drag, by generating current in some 'reverse way'?
Im pretty sure its a coil cage, and not magnets, actually, it defiantly is, so at the minute I cant see how it could cause a drag...but I know one thing, and that is, that copper is funny stuff when you move it around near Iron...
All I have to find out now is if the tail end of the three phase motor is turned down to within an inch of its life for the fan, that would be less than ideal if I intend mounting a pulley on there. Lets hope its not!
Many thanks
Brian,
Due to the machines design the spindle motor frame is tailored to the machine, as is its mounting method.
So, to save messing(says he), and getting it rewound and all that, I intend mounting a single phase motor beside it, removing the fan off the three phase motor, fitting a pulley on there, and driving the quill with the single phase motor, through the existing three phase motor.
Its actually easier to pull off in reality that it sounds, which is why Im thinking strongly of doing it.
Now, onto the question...
Will I have to gut the three phase motor for fear the windings will cause drag, by generating current in some 'reverse way'?
Im pretty sure its a coil cage, and not magnets, actually, it defiantly is, so at the minute I cant see how it could cause a drag...but I know one thing, and that is, that copper is funny stuff when you move it around near Iron...
All I have to find out now is if the tail end of the three phase motor is turned down to within an inch of its life for the fan, that would be less than ideal if I intend mounting a pulley on there. Lets hope its not!
Many thanks
Brian,





RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
These days it may be cheaper to just buy a variable speed drive for the 3ph motor; some of them will run just fine with a 1ph input.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
I have a brand new single ph motor and a bunch of taper locks.
But, on looking at the whole setup again this morning with fresh eyes I starting to think more on what you said re variable drive.
Are the ones in the link below the kind I need? The motor is a 3hp.
Dad was saying something about if it needs a 'real' neutral as some converters only generate a false neutral. Do I also need a neutral generator? The site below also sells them. He lost me a bit with all the phase talk, he used to be a HT lines man for the ESB.
http://
I can post up whats on the motor exactly if you need more info.
Many thanks,
BG
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
One last question, I take it its the fancy vector inverter I need, and not the basic one?
Thanks again,
BG
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
Thanks,
BG
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
The VFD brake...
it only works to stop the motor, if you need to lock the spindle to change tooling then you will need the mechanical brake to hold it still.
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
The end result is that I have what I need, it works great, and I still held onto my euros. The vari speed drive would have done it for sure, but that would mean picking the correct one, wiring it up, paying for it, and waiting for delivery.
I think I made the right choice considering, see picture attached,
Thanks guys, for all the advice, little bit of wiring to go and its done.
BG
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
Star for that.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Driving an existing motor with a motor
I knew Id use that bit of 15mm plate sometime.
Now just the 'minor' task of retro fitting the age old electronics and she'll be good to go.
The hurco km3s were some serious solid Iron thats for sure, twice as beefy as the bridgeports of the same footprint, plus, they are still in operation and answering support calls on old machines, which is, Impressive.
BG