80mm spindle and VFD choices

I went half-way - couldn’t talk myself into a Mechatron. I did find a Hitachi VFD with SVC though: WJ200-022SF 3HP 2.2kW 230V Single Phase Input VFD - Hitachi

For a spindle, I decided to buy from a company that has them in stock in the U.S., and available customer support: High-Torque Stepper Motor, Stepper Motor, Driver, Stepper Motor kit, DC Servo Motor, DC Servo Motor kit, Stepper Motor Power Supply, CNC Router, Spindle, and other Components.

I went air-cooled - seems simpler, and it’s quiet enough for me.

Now, I have a little time to get these figured out before my 80mm mount and X50 woodworker show up! Also, need to run a 220V outlet to the 1F.

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The big reason for the powerful spindle is to have torque at low RPM. It just gives you more options of feeds and speeds. Just ordered my 1F. Super excited to get it. I studied precision machining and metrology in grad school. Just doing hobbies now, but just couldn’t pull the trigger on the other ones knowing all the inherent flaws. Still wish a few things were different, but 1F looks pretty darn good.

I was looking at this one and think it would be the ticket. Still runs on 110V. Just need to make sure your breaker can handle it. Anyone try this model before?

As long as it’s on it’s own 20 amp circuit it should be fine. Since the output of the VFD is also 120v (110v was a standard a long time ago in the US) you’ll need to run a heavier gauge wire to the spindle from the VFD as it’ll be using twice the current.

I had a very bad experience with this vendor. They had zero technical support and the communication system can be cumbersome. Be wary

Ok, I’m sure this has been discussed before but I cant seem to find any information on it. I’ve purchased the 80mm mount and I’m currently researching which spindle to buy. Does anyone know the benefit of going with the 2.2kw spindle vs the 1.5kw? I always view purchases like this as “buy the biggest and best that will work” so I’m leaning toward the 2.2kw so I’m never limited by the spindle in the future. Any thoughts?

I’ve been debating the same thing,
Pros
-more power
-handles 1/2" bit shank as most 2.2kw spindles have an ER-20 collet
Cons
-requires a 20 amp 110v outlet while the 1.5kw will run on a standard 15 amp outlet
-bigger and heavier
-more expensive

I’ve personally debated this extensively. For me, I don’t think the extra power is much of a factor, you already get a lot of power with a 1.5kw spindle. Also to me, the ability to use 1/2" bits was tempting but I will only ever be using mine for hobby work.

If I’m missing something, please, anyone, chime in.

I have a sizable investment in 1/2 shank forming bits that I’d like to have the flexibility to run on the Onefinity once I have the 80mm mount. Also from what I read with the 80mm mount - the spindle clears the Z axis stepper motor which would help with some of my setups where I’m cutting 3-4 inches deep. This currently requires me to make multiple setups and sometimes cut from 2 sides for these operations. If the 80mm mount allows me to make use of the full 130mm Z axis movement that will be worth the investment in time saved.

Can you really run a 2.2kw spindle on 110v input? I thought the math worked out that you would need 30amps to do that - which isn’t practical. All of the 2.2kw spindles I’ve seen are paired with a VFD that requires 220v input.

For what it’s worth (I don’t have a 2.2kw spindle yet)… I put an amp clamp on the line side of the VFD for my 1.5kw spindle and over 15 mins of operation the max amperage was 6.3A - which occurred during the spin up of the spindle at the start of the cycle (I have the spin up ramp time set to 3 seconds). The cut operation with a 1/4" endmill was below 3 amps with the majority of the operation below 2 amps. This would suggest you can run a 2.2kw spindle on 120v line input as it’s not going to draw full current at all times.

That being said - if you start running larger bits with the 2.2kw spindle I’m sure the load would increase during operation but I am not sure if it would exceed the initial spin up current of the spindle.

Well, the math says that 110v x 20 amps == 2.2kw. But, you’re not supposed to draw more than 80% of max on a circuit. Like you said, typical usage is less than the max - but you could get close to the limits and trip a breaker - which would likely mean a snapped bit. Also, the VFD is not perfect - it draws more amps than are delivered to the spindle.

You can set a max current within the VFD - but you’re limiting the spindle to something less than it’s full capacity.

I’d recommend that 220V input be used for a 2.2kw spindle.

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220v is going to be the recommended way to power a 2.2kw motor load of any type, not only does it reduce the current draw it balances the load on residential electrical systems, not so much in a shop with 3 phase power but out of scope. The testing I did above was on the line side of the VFD so it accounts for the inefficiency of the VFD and power the VFD uses to operate - I don’t have the ability to measure the inrush current when it is powered on but is very brief and when you consider the initial stall inrush current on an air conditioning condenser is 100 amps with a normal running load of 10 amps, circuit breakers which are time delayed will not trip instantly due to short lived spikes in current draw - 30A of current for a few seconds will not trip a 20A circuit breaker.

A few other thoughts - I have 3.25 HP routers in my router tables that run on 120v, never tripped a circuit breaker running 4" diameter raised panel bits. I have a 15" planer at 120v with a 3HP induction motor that has never tripped a 20A breaker, and my dust collector is also 3HP induction motor running on a 20A 120v circuit 8 hours a day an never tripped a circuit breaker.

It may not be recommended, but me thinks it will work. If you have the ability to install 240v power to your spindle do it. If not, you can likely run on 120v power with no issues for years.

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I have a panel installed in my garage and plant to run a dedicated 220V circuit to the VFD. I’m curious if there are any issues with the weight of the 2.2kw spindle on the Z-lift, I know with Shapeoko they use the belt system on their Z axis and a 2.2kw spindle will drop down just from the weight, though I’ve heard its not an issue with the ball screw system Onefinity uses. Also I would think feeds and speeds could be increased with a 2.2kw spindle so I’m wondering if the X-35 with stiffy bar is rigid enough to handle the extra forces it might be subjected to.

Has anyone here already installed a 2.2kw on the X-35+stiffy? Any issues to note?

I am also interested in the ability of the 1F to handle a 2.2ke spindle.

In one forum thread, a member asks the question of an 18 lb spindle and gets a 1F support response is that it will be fine. I’m looking at a 7kg spindle (essentially the same weight-wise). The chap I’m thinking of buying it from, whilst doesn’t know the 1F directly, says it will be too heavy. I’m now in a quandary; do I buy the beast or go for a 1.5 kW? Like some members, I want to use 1/2 in cutters.

Does anyone have experience working with a 2.2 kW spindle?

You mean this thread: Spindle weight too much?

What means “chap”?

I got my 1F today and will be setting it up with the 2.2kW HY spindle. I’ve already wired and plumbed the cooling lines to the table so it’s just a matter of switching the mounts. I haven’t decided how to run the cooling lines and cable to the spindle as I have the Journeyman x rail on order so in a couple months I’ll be redoing it. Hopefully by this weekend I’ll have it ready to do (can you believe they actually expect me to go into work to earn a paycheck?).

Sorry, my sloppy English: “Chap” == Person. Chap definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary.

What I meant is that there is a small company (I was going to say “outfit”) in the UK selling spindle/VFD combo (ready to plug in). They are also selling their own CNCs.

Hey Alex have you seen my Hose boom it now supports all Onefinity models and has new z axis water lines, and spindle cable management. If you already have a hose boom I have an upgrade kit available as well.

Also the Digital files are available in my digital file section of my etsy shop

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Many are asking about stepper motor capabilities in relation to the added mass of a 80mm spindle. I am using a different controller, steppers, etc., but am curious if anyone knows the power supply specs -volts, amps, watts - of the 1F controller.

Ah, I think we have such an “outfit” here too. Bought my VFD there but not a CNC machine. The Onefinity is more convincing because of its thick tubular rails.

Hey Alex,

envying you.

I am glad that my 32″×32″ Woodworker wasn’t shipped when 48″×32″ Journeyman came out (I was among those looking forward to that size)…

Of course I’d like to ask you how the Z Axis mechanism, i.e. linear bearings, the ball screws and the stepper motor will deal with the HY 2.2 kW 80 mm spindle now that you got the machine. Is the spindle really that heavy? The user above said something about 18 lbs, but I’ve found 5,51 kg (12.51 lbs) for it.

You surely will get it all to work quickly