New Tree 325 Questions

[SmoothMove]

Hey fellas. I'm new to cnc, i have a couple smaller manual mills that i have learned on over the last few years, and have finally taken the next step to cnc. I bought a 1991 Tree 325. It has the 3500 spindle with a Dynapath 20 control. I just have a couple quick questions, if anyone would be kind enough to help me with. I have the original manuals(For Dynapath control, and Tree 325), and reciepts for the mill(I bought it from the original owner). It comes wired for 230v, but for some reason they had it wired for 440v. Now i need to buy a phase converter for it, and am not sure what fits the bill. I have the 5 horse spindle, and know i should go with a 10 horse rotary converter, but does voltage play a major roll in this? Also, need to buy a compressor for it, any recomendations for this, as i only need what will be needed to get me by(I don't need air for any other machines in my home shop). Thanks in advance for any help, i'm honored to be a part of the forum. Also, please excuse my inexperience in the subject of cnc, all help is appreciated. -Thanks-

[jalessi]

SmoothMove,

Instead of a primitive rotary converter, why not get a VFD to run the spindle.

Welcome to the Zone,

Jeff...

[SmoothMove]

Thanks for the response my friend. I guess thats a good question, i just don't really know what my options are. Do i only need the 3-Phase for the spindle itself, and everything else can be run from single phase? Again, please excuse my lack of knowledge here.

[jalessi]

SmoothMove,

A VFD converts single phase to three phase to run the spindle motor.

The CNC controls should run off single phase.


Jeff...

[jalessi]

See the attached link for a 5hp drive.

http://www.driveswarehouse.com/Drive...FD/PC1-50.html

[SmoothMove]

Jeff-
Thank you so much for you help here, i just didn't know that this was an option. After reading your original response, i researched the internet a little on the subject. Seems like the right route to go for me as the noise level of the RPC would be an issue, not to mention quite a few people recommend it over the RPC(Sometimes refered to as "Old" tech). So do i just get a VFD rated for 5 horse(I have the 5 horse spindle), or do i need something larger to accomidate it?

[SmoothMove]

Thanks for the link Jeff. See, heres the other issue i have, in the paper work with the original purchase of the machine, they had it changed from the 230v that the machine comes with, to 440v for whatever reason. Now, do i try to find a VFD that can do the 440v, or have it wired back to the original 230v? I know nothing(And i mean nothing) about current and such, so i will most likely have to pay an electrician to come and wire everything after i purchase the VFD.

[jalessi]

SmoothMove,

Changing the machine back to 230v will be a cake walk for someone familiar with your machine.

If you are installing the machine in your home 440v is not a option.

Where are you located?

Jeff...

[SmoothMove]

In CT. Is it possible for me to hire an electrician to just change it back to 230v, and then install the VFD? Is this something that a "Regular" electrician will be able to do you think?

[jalessi]

SmoothMove,

Yes, a capable electrician that can read electrical schematics will.

Jeff...

[SmoothMove]

Jeff-
Thanks so much, i appreciate you taking the time to help me. The info you provided has helped to steer in the proper direction, as opposed to the "Direction" i was headed!! Haha Thanks a bunch my friend, all the best.

[mikej65]

Your spindle motor is almost certainly dual voltage. Going back to 220V is just a matter of reconnecting the leads for low voltage. Generally, a step-down transformer(s) is used to get back to 110V for your controls and drives. These usually have dual taps, so they can be reconfigured to the 220-110 wiring instead of 440-110.

You probably have a VFD currently driving the spindle. This would currently be one with 440/3ph input and 440/3ph output. This would be replaced with one rated for 220/1ph input, 220/3ph output, and 5hp or more. It is also possible in some cases to use a VFD nameplated for 220/3ph input and derate it 33-50% for single phase input, but I won't get into that discussion here. Note that the VFD only runs the spindle. If you have other 3ph motors, like a coolant pump, you will either have to run a them on a small VFD or replace them with single phase units.

There is a fair amount of wiring to the VFD. These connections control spindle speed, direction, start, stop, and relay fault signals to the control. You will have to work off of you current wiring diagram and the VFD documentation to get these correct. The VFD will also have to be programmed for things such as control method and braking time.

Mike