On Fri, 31 Dec 2010 08:57:19 -0700, "Bob La Londe"
wrote:

On 2010-12-31, Karl Townsend wrote:

Your spindle sounds like a DC servo
but double check.

Why do you think that? It looks like a large 3 phase motor to me. 6 leads
going into it plus a ground. The Mitsubishi inverter tends to support that.
It doesn't look anything like a conventional servo and its about ten times
the size, LOL.

Speaking of VFDs. I had been looking at rotary phase converters to power
this machine, but why not just use a 1 phase in 3 phase out VFD rated for
the horsepower of the motor? It looks like the net cost would be about the
same. If I empty box the machine its not going to make any difference to
the rest of it.

OK, yes a VFD is the way to go. At some point you'll want a VFD brake
resistor and a spindle encoder. Don't need to do this right away.

And speaking of empty box... Any reason to keep that huge control box on
that big swing arm. Seems like its just in the way.

Send a link to pics of this again. I often put a flat screen monitor
and keyboard on the operator input panel. I'm thinking that's what
this is. If so, a jog handwheel, jog buttons and Mcode switches will
be very nice future upgrades

P.S. It looks like Iggy's spare servos run to fast for this machine.
Anybody else got some that might work? Yes, I have been shopping around
too.

is your existing motor beyond repair? Take it loose and put a 12 volt
charger on the big leads. if it still turns you could rebuild the
bearings and brushes. Or if it doesn't turn it still could be just
bearings and brushes. Otherwise, ebay is your friend.