Spindle drive upgrade question

[Freddy Bastard]

I'm on the way to order the spindle drive upgrade. How long is it to install it and be ready to work?

How was the 200$ refound?

Anything I should know before ordering?

Thank's

Fred

[Art Pentz]

Hi Fred,

The mechanical/electrical upgrade took me under 1 hour to complete.

At the same time I replaced the 220V power cord w/ a 12 Gauge one as the new drive can draw more current than the old Minarik drive.

Be aware that the new software included w/ the drive upgrade will require you to re-enter probe and tool setter criteria if you use those functions.

You will also have to spend some time calibrating ("tweaking") the Mach speed display. It really requires an optical tachometer to do this correctly.

The $200.00 refund for the returned control board (not the old drive) was handled the same day Tormach received the returned board.

I really notice the improvement in low end torque - especially w/ slitting saws etc.

This upgrade is a good value for the improved performance.

Best regards;

Art Pentz

[zephyr9900]

Originally Posted by Art Pentz You will also have to spend some time calibrating ("tweaking") the Mach speed display. It really requires an optical tachometer to do this correctly.

Since Greg Jackson has said

Originally Posted by Tormach [*]By our estimate the spindle design is fine for anything up to 7000 RPM. Taking it higher is certainly possible, but will lead to shorter bearing life.

and the new VFD gives tighter spindle speed control, I'm wondering if it is feasible to extend the speed range to 7k with the existing spindle motor, either by overspeeding it or by a combination of the 5k capability Tormach has demonstrated together with a modest decrease in driven pulley size...?

Randy

[Don Clement]

I installed the Spindle Drive upgrade in about an hour. It took some more time to cut the holes for the recommended cooling fan since the drive upgrade uses a resistor to quickly slow down the spindle. The way faster stopping time is the major reason I went with the upgrade…much faster tool changes now. Also it took a little time to tweek in the speed using a digital tach and a Gen-Rad Strobotach (not really needed but it is nice to whip out retro technology ala Edgerton ) I feel the upgrade was worth it. Also I bought a compression-tension tap head for tapping thru holes larger than ¼” which is the upper limit of my Procunier 1E tap head. The Tormach compression-tension tap head is a nice unit with almost identical quick-change tap holders as the ProQuik Procunier QC holders. As usual nice job Tormach on constantly improving your great products. When is Tormach going to make a CNC lathe or CNC kit like the Microkinetics for larger lathes like a 12x36 or similar? Today I ordered a Royal pneumatic 5C closer for my 12x36 lathe and all that is needed now is the CNC conversion. Come on Tormach I know you guys could do way better than Microkinetics.(they don’t even offer precision ground ballscrews.)

[_swede]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Series II PCNC already comes with this spindle upgrade installed, right???

I assume the upgrade kit is intended for the original PCNC "Series I" owners?

I couldn't really tell from this thread or by reading the datasheet on the Tormach website.

Hope this isn't an obvious answer.. lol

[Tormachmaster]

Originally Posted by _swede Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Series II PCNC already comes with this spindle upgrade installed, right??? I assume the upgrade kit is intended for the original PCNC "Series I" owners? I couldn't really tell from this thread or by reading the datasheet on the Tormach website. Hope this isn't an obvious answer.. lol

Yes you are right. It comes with it.