Precision Matthews PM 1440TL with Hitachi WJ200-075LF VFD

BladesIIB

https://www.youtube.com/c/BladesIIB
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Sep 1, 2020
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There are a lot of videos about making a three phase motor run with a VFD, and a few with a remote start and stop switch. What I could not find when I was learning was a video that really explained how a VFD was different from just running 3 phase power. Or how a VFD functioned different from a Rotary Phase Converter and why you needed to re-wire so much of your lathe for a VFD. For a total newbie, this high level mental picture was missing for me.

Thanks to great Members of this Forum, like (mksj), and to Matt at Precision Matthews, I was able to build my mental model of how to do this and I wanted to pay that learning forward and save you all a couple of weeks of reading, reviewing pictures and searching. MKSJ, maybe this will help reduce your email load as you continue to help others like me.

This Video is designed to give that high level overview and comparison to really give you the principles to understand the VFD. The video does walk through a specific example with my Precision Matthews PM 1440TL Lathe wired with a Hitachi WJ200-075LF VFD. In this example the full wiring set up along with all the controls and changes from the factory set up are explained.

Disclaimer: I am not a certified Electrician and the wiring diagrams shown are not certified wiring diagrams, just my own visual representation of how this works. Consult your Lathe and VFD Owners manuals and work with a certified electrician for all electrical work. Use of any of this information is completely at your own risk. Electricity can be fatal - and this is dealing with high voltage!!

 
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Didn't have time to watch the whole video yet but it sure looks like you did an awesome job!

Thank you!
 
Thanks 7milesup! Tried to create what I wished I could have found 6 months ago. Really hope it helps those who want to tackle a VFD Install.
 
Thank you, I linked it to my electrician in case he needs references for my 1340 VFD :encourage:
 
Aukai, I hope this will help him out! Good luck.
 
Good job Blades, I'm not sure I'll go 3 phase when I get a lathe but if I do your video will help.

Tim
 
Tim, thanks for the feedback. A 3 phase motor is a great benefit for the constant starting and stopping on a lathe, but I made plenty of parts with a single phase and they work fine. If the GT single phase had been in stock when I purchased this one I would have considered it. Now that this one is set up though, I really like the extra weight and rigidity and the larger motor. Good luck making your selection. Nothing like shopping for a new machine.
 
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