I’m not seeing what would be proprietary with their vfd and spindle . I’m thinking it should be compatible with a different model, but your the expert :grin:Insulation is overrated... unless you're in Canada or Louisiana! :wink:
Aren't these independent of each other? You get a signal from the electronics to start and control the VFD/spindle, but it's just a signal. Unless I'm missing something.
David
Well I get a few bucks back from tax and seeing as already purchased Avids Nema34 steppers and cables , I’m tempted to buy their Nema34 completed electronics cabinet and be done with it .
I’m wondering if there will be any issues booking up an aftermarket VFD to their box , as I wanted to buy an 80mm Chinese spindle to save where I can . Avids spindle will be over 3K by the time it’s on my doorstep.
https://www.amazon.ca/Spindle-4bearings-24000rpm-Cooled-Factory/dp/B078J5CXP3
Plug and Play NEMA 34 CNC Control System - CRP800-00E-8 | Avid CNC
Or I could use the money for insulation:grin:
Thank you . That’s exactly what they recommendedI have a Hitachi VFD connected to the Avid Control Box that controls an 80mm 2.2kW water cooled spindle. Works great! If I were building another machine, I would likely go with Avid's spindle and controls. However the VFD, cabinet and spindle cost less than $1K. If you go the none Avid route, save yourself a lot of problems and buy the cable that connects the control box to the vfd from Avid unless your an expert in soldering small electrical connections. Its not that expensive and you can cut it in half and have a spare cable.
Not sure if this means there’s going to be issues with software ? It’s tempting to buy their spindle also , but wow is that a lot of money .Hooking up an aftermarket spindle is possible, although we can only help with the interface to our control box. I'd recommend we sell you the spindle connection cable included in our own spindle package, which runs $49.75.
I believe Gerry also said you could buy several Chinese spindles and VFD's for you'd spend on one of the Avid spindles and VFD's.I do believe a while back that Ger21 said it was a quality spindle though
Ya the Avid one is $1700 ,which is double by the time it’s on my doorstep . So we’re taking $3300-$3400 for their spindle and vfd .I believe Gerry also said you could buy several Chinese spindles and VFD's for you'd spend on one of the Avid spindles and VFD's.
But I didn't go back and see what he said, just going on memory.
No doubt the Avid equipment is good, though.
David
and sands...Now - if they'll just make a machine that paints, stains, and polys.
That's probably more important. That sanding can make you think twice about making things. I hate it!and sands...
Making the connection from Avid Control Box to the vfd is very simple. Setting up the Hitachi VFD, not so simple. I had to call driveswarehouse.com where I bought the vfd and in 15 minutes time they had me in operation. The service rep went down a check list and indicated every change I needed to make.Thank you . That’s exactly what they recommended
Avid support
Not sure if this means there’s going to be issues with software ? It’s tempting to buy their spindle also , but wow is that a lot of money .
I do believe a while back that Ger21 said it was a quality spindle though
Rick, I started out with the vfd being controlled by the Avid controller box but the rpms fluctuated a little so now I use an rs485 connection it works perfectly for $15.00
Tell you truth I like to build things myself also . I was just having a momentary lapse of judgement and wanting to take the easy way out .Avid's spindles are better because they are likely built to a higher standard (to their specs) than the cheap chinese spindles, with much better quality control. And, you get a warranty. You're also getting a better VFD.
I like to build stuff, and do my own work, so I personally can't justify the high cost. And I've seen plenty of people get 5 or more years from their $200 spindles.
Nobody can tell you how you should spend your money. If they could, you'd have an insulated garage....
To your initial question.
Pretty much all VFD's are controlled exactly the same way, so it's a fairly simple process to use a different VFD.
David as cool as it would be to have one , I have no intentions of going with a rotary axis .Rick, when I built our CNC I left a place for the driver and ran cabling for a rotary axis. But I didn't buy the driver at the time. I thought it wouldn't be too difficult to add it later, even drilled and tapped the holes so it would be easier.
But here we are a few years later and my driver is no longer available but the replacement is better and uses the same mounting holes. So that's not a problem. The problem is that I will have to lay on my side and try to get everything in place basically with one hand - UGH!! I should have bought the extra driver and mounted it when I was doing all this!
So my advice, even if you're not planning on a rotary axis, is to buy the extra driver now. My situation is slightly different but now whenever I get to the rotary axis the driver will be different.
David
