Page 7 of 7

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:55 pm
by martyscncgarage
That does not look like a genuine HY VFD.
In my opinion, that VFD is far too close to the other components.
Remote mount the VFD and consider a better quality VFD

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 6:14 pm
by Muzzer
I don't see how a tiny EMC filter like that could do anything useful - it needs to be a lot bigger, simply from a physical point of view, with a good hard ground connection to the base plate. As for fitting ferrite toroids on the motor phase connections, that's a new one on me and I design VFDs for my day job.

You might consider using screened cable for the motor. And before anyone chimes in, it's perfectly respectable to ground the screen at both ends. Read the Yaskawa manuals for recommended best practice - and write to them if you think you know better. There - I've even started a flame war for you!

Get some "ferrite clamps" and fit them onto your signals wiring. You may need to use every option available to get the noise down to an acceptable level with these drives.

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 6:18 pm
by martyscncgarage
Muzzer wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 6:14 pm I don't see how a tiny EMC filter like that could do anything useful - it needs to be a lot bigger, simply from a physical point of view, with a good hard ground connection to the base plate. As for fitting ferrite toroids on the motor phase connections, that's a new one on me and I design VFDs for my day job.

You might consider using screened cable for the motor. And before anyone chimes in, it's perfectly respectable to ground the screen at both ends. Read the Yaskawa manuals for recommended best practice - and write to them if you think you know better. There - I've even started a flame war for you!

Get some "ferrite clamps" and fit them onto your signals wiring. You may need to use every option available to get the noise down to an acceptable level with these drives.
No flame war. Belden also agrees to shield the VFD cable at both ends.
I still believe that import VFD is way too close to the control electronics

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:02 pm
by tblough
The two sets of unshielded wires you mention are the biggest generators of EMI in the system. The servo drives and the spindle VFD send high current and high frequency pulses to the motors - just the thing to generate noisd in other wires. These drive cables must be shielded.

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:00 pm
by ShawnM
As mentioned, it appears that you have shielded wire on the INPUT side of the VFD and not the OUTPUT. This is backwards. Use shielded wire on the output side of the VFD and then ground that shield at one or both ends to your common ground. The line filter on the input side is ok if it’s the proper rating.

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 6:13 pm
by ericbowman
martyscncgarage wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:55 pm That does not look like a genuine HY VFD.
In my opinion, that VFD is far too close to the other components.
Remote mount the VFD and consider a better quality VFD
Is there a VFD you recommend? I have a 4kw spindle.

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 6:42 pm
by tblough
I'd also do something about all that foil shielding flopping around before it shorts something.

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 9:24 pm
by cnckeith
ericbowman wrote: Mon Oct 03, 2022 6:13 pm
martyscncgarage wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:55 pm That does not look like a genuine HY VFD.
In my opinion, that VFD is far too close to the other components.
Remote mount the VFD and consider a better quality VFD
Is there a VFD you recommend? I have a 4kw spindle.
my favorite is Hitachi WJ200..its bullet proof!
and automation direct GS series are no brainers as well.

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:56 pm
by ericbowman
This one?

https://www.wolfautomation.com/vfd-5hp-200v-3-phase/

I'm using the power supply that came with the router....which is massive and old. What do you all recommend for a power supply? My EE friend suggests a 1000 watt 48v server power supply, is that a good idea?

Also, where would I find a good sized enclosure for the electronics?
Do you put the VFD in the same enclosure or leave it outside on its own?

Re: Gerber AR600 Retrofit

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2022 8:13 pm
by ShawnM
No, not that VFD unless you have 3 phase power to feed it. Read the specs, that one requires 3 phase power in.

As for the power supply, what are the specs of the one you currently have? You need to know how much power you need before you just buy power supply. What is the voltage range on the drives? What is the inductance of the motors? Since you are using Gecko drives, read their manual on choosing a power supply. There are formulas to calculate the proper power supply rather than just guessing.

https://www.geckodrive.com/support/power-supply-basics

I believe Automation Direct sells enclosures as does Factorymation. You can leave the VFD inside the cabinet if you wire and ground everything properly and not worry about noise. Just keep it as far away as possible from the Acorn or the drives. Find the size you think you need and then buy the next largest one.