Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Home shop power for a big machine

Hi Roger,

Just a thought: the power you may need to run the machine may be much lower than the power you will need to start the machine. Most three phase motors have a surge of power that starts the motor and then the current draw drops way down while the motor runs at its rated rpm. It may be more helpful to try to address the question about starting the machine. After the machine is started, then it may take very little power to run the machine to do what you would like to accomplish.

Happy New Year!

Jim Fleig
CNC Services

machine tool service from casting to control

----- Original Message -----
From: vrsculptor
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:10 AM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Home shop power for a big machine


I was lusting over a big VMC that would never fit in my home shop and
got to wondering about power. The machine's data plate says 230 volts
3PH @ 80 AMP's, 18KVA. It has a 15 HP spindle.

I could use a rotary phase converter to generate the three phase but
don't have anywhere near 80 AMP's available. 18KVA/750 watts equals a
24 HP phase converter.

If you where using this machine in a hobby environment and not trying
to get production feeds and loads how small of a phase converter could
you get by with?

Roger





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]