Speed Control For SX3 ?

[LewisCobb]

I've done a fair bit of digging on the web and searching this and other forums. Am I correct in assuming that there is no easy way to implement speed control on an SX3 mill?

I have been comparing the X3 .vs. the SX3 and it appears that if one is ultimately going to CNC the machine, the only realy advantage the SX3 has over the X3 is the larger motor - but if one cannot speed control it, it sort of takes that advantage down a notch.

Comments ?

Thanks !

[saghirecho]

Please install extra invertor and control it with PWM controller easly.

[jbanks]

I have both an SX3 and an X3 that has been CNC'd.

I probably use the SX3 more than the CNC but that's because I use it for drilling and other things. I can't tell you the last time I used a feature that the the regular X3 doesn't have.

In other words....if you are eventually going to CNC don't buy the SX3

[LewisCobb]

Interesting. I'm probably going to eventually CNC the machine and have really been on the fence over which machine I should get based on the features. Thanks for your input.

Seeing as you have one of each, have you noticed any huge torque difference between the two in your machining operations? I am starting to think that the SX3 is using a much bigger motor to make up for the torque loss at low speed seeing as it's a single speed drive and not low/high like the X3.

I can see myself using the machine for both steel and aluminum.


Thanks again,
Lewis

I have both an SX3 and an X3 that has been CNC'd.

I probably use the SX3 more than the CNC but that's because I use it for drilling and other things. I can't tell you the last time I used a feature that the the regular X3 doesn't have.

In other words....if you are eventually going to CNC don't buy the SX3

[Vatorman]

I also have been struggling with the sx3 spindle control, I keep on looking and calling on this subject and Nothing.
I may start thinking about upgrading with a spindle and electronics all together . Maybe get more power out of it too.And also will this even be cost effective,
Is it worth the cost not sure yet.

[cornbinder23]

I also have been struggling with the sx3 spindle control, I keep on looking and calling on this subject and Nothing.
I may start thinking about upgrading with a spindle and electronics all together . Maybe get more power out of it too.And also will this even be cost effective,
Is it worth the cost not sure yet.

Hey Vatorman, I got your message and tried to reply
I have an SX3 and after countless hours of trying to figure out how to interface the stock electronics I gave in and put a 1hp 3ph motor and VFD combo on it.http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...eady_go-2.html
The stock SX3 motor is very good, I was not able to stall it after really trying
Funny thing is even with this combo I have not felt an urgency to get the spindle under mach control as pushing the start button is not all that hard LOL

I dont own an X3 so I cant say anything about its spindle set up but I can say the BLDC motor that is in the SX3 is a very good set up and handled everything I threw at it Al, 1018, 304SS

JTCUSTOMS

[LewisCobb]

cornbinder -
I'm liking your 3ph / vfd set up on your SX3. A few questions -
- what sort of speed ranges are you getting with that set up?
- do you have any more detailed pics and/or drawings that you would be willing to share on the mounting of the motor / belt drive / pulleys etc.?
- Did you change your spindle bearings out for better ones?

Thanks!

Hey Vatorman, I got your message and tried to reply
I have an SX3 and after countless hours of trying to figure out how to interface the stock electronics I gave in and put a 1hp 3ph motor and VFD combo on it.http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...eady_go-2.html
The stock SX3 motor is very good, I was not able to stall it after really trying
Funny thing is even with this combo I have not felt an urgency to get the spindle under mach control as pushing the start button is not all that hard LOL

I dont own an X3 so I cant say anything about its spindle set up but I can say the BLDC motor that is in the SX3 is a very good set up and handled everything I threw at it Al, 1018, 304SS

JTCUSTOMS

[cornbinder23]

cornbinder -
I'm liking your 3ph / vfd set up on your SX3. A few questions -
- what sort of speed ranges are you getting with that set up?
- do you have any more detailed pics and/or drawings that you would be willing to share on the mounting of the motor / belt drive / pulleys etc.?
- Did you change your spindle bearings out for better ones?

Thanks!

In that same thread I show a readout of the RPM it is about 3800rpm @60Hz
and 5700rpm @ 90Hz, I am planning to add an index pulse card so I can read the rpms in Mach as well as spindle control with the G540
As far as pics go for the belt drive I only have what is posted in that build thread sorry, BUT I can take measurements this weekend and make some .DXF's for anyone who is interested, the motor is a baldor 1 hp 3ph 56C frame that I already had, and I am running it with a Teco CV7300 VFD

As far as the spindle bearings, yes I did swap them out for better bearings
I purchased 2 off ebay and found the other @ EB Atmus
I will look and see if I can get the bearing numbers for you
Do you have an SX3 or an X3 because I know they are a little different spindle wise, at least the X3 spindle a fellow zoner sent to me for a rebuild was different than my SX3 not by much though
Also PM me thurs or fri to remind me about the belt drive drawings, and I will update and post them in my build thread

Later
JTCUSTOMS

[FPV_GTp]

have a look www.SuperPID.com - Super-PID Closed-loop Router Speed Controller

Could possible be used on the X3's

cheers

[LewisCobb]

Thanks a million for this.
I'll PM you on Thursday to give you a nudge.
The dxfs would be fantastic.

I'm really torn between the X3 or SX3 at the moment (I have nothing yet). I like the idea of the SX3 but it seems to me there's no easy way to control speed in the future with CNCing it. Your approach is a good one if nothing were to pan out between now and then - just gut the BLDC and electronics and put a 3ph/vfd in its place. It might also be a good approach if the BLDC were to die once the machine is out of warranty, as I have read that the replacements are very expensive.

Thanks again

In that same thread I show a readout of the RPM it is about 3800rpm @60Hz
and 5700rpm @ 90Hz, I am planning to add an index pulse card so I can read the rpms in Mach as well as spindle control with the G540
As far as pics go for the belt drive I only have what is posted in that build thread sorry, BUT I can take measurements this weekend and make some .DXF's for anyone who is interested, the motor is a baldor 1 hp 3ph 56C frame that I already had, and I am running it with a Teco CV7300 VFD

As far as the spindle bearings, yes I did swap them out for better bearings
I purchased 2 off ebay and found the other @ EB Atmus
I will look and see if I can get the bearing numbers for you
Do you have an SX3 or an X3 because I know they are a little different spindle wise, at least the X3 spindle a fellow zoner sent to me for a rebuild was different than my SX3 not by much though
Also PM me thurs or fri to remind me about the belt drive drawings, and I will update and post them in my build thread

Later
JTCUSTOMS

[Al_The_Man]

have a look www.SuperPID.com - Super-PID Closed-loop Router Speed Controller
Could possible be used on the X3's

cheers

This would only work for a Universal motor.

Your approach is a good one if nothing were to pan out between now and then - just gut the BLDC and electronics and put a 3ph/vfd in its place. It might also be a good approach if the BLDC were to die once the machine is out of warranty, as I have read that the replacements are very expensive.

Are these fitted with a BLDC motor with Hall effect or equivalent commutation?
If so, one of the many Advanced Motion controllers and others on ebay should do the trick.
What is the rated power of the present motor?
Just curious.
Al.

[cornbinder23]

Are these fitted with a BLDC motor with Hall effect or equivalent commutation?
If so, one of the many Advanced Motion controllers and others on ebay should do the trick.
What is the rated power of the present motor?
Just curious.
Al.

I will check tonight to see if it does have hall effect sensors, and what the rated power output is, as I have it in a drawer in the shop
Maybe you could point those folks in the right direction as to what Avanced Motion Controller they could use in this application.

JTCUSTOMS