Re: Home shop power for a big machine - Thanks for the input

Hi All,
Many thanks for the comments. I am sure the machine has a VFD which
could do a low energy soft start if it were not for the working
Siemens PC-2100 controller. As was pointed out previously VMC's like
to do instant stops and starts. I don't know enough about the
controller to be confident that I could change the acceleration
deceleration curve.

If I chose to do an EMC2 retrofit, something I can do, I could lower
the acceleration and power spike. I would probably follow Jon's advice
and convert as much of the machine to single phase as I could. I'm
sure the head cooling fan, lube and coolant pumps are 3 phase so a low
power phase converter would still be required. I might be lucky and be
able to run the VFD on single phase but I doubt it as its 12 years old.

If I had to buy a VFD, Mesa interface boards, new terminations, a PLC
and maybe a single phase power transformer for the servo AMP's it
could cost upwards of $1.5-2K and a month or so to convert the
machine. I can't justify the purchase price, conversion cost plus a
selection of CAT40 tooling (I currently use Kwik Switch 300) for a
hobby machine.

I'll stick with my current Tree mill with it's two arm tool changer.

Thanks again and have a Happy New Year,
Roger