Building A Dc Motor Powered Lathe, Have Basic Questions..

[alha]

Hi, I am planning on designing/building a Oneway lathe clone, and have found a motor which would be _more_ than adequate for the task. It's a GE 5CD184NA055B002 motor, the plate info is:

 

HP 10 RPM 500/3000 _ _ _ _ Volts 240

Arm Amps 39 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wound Shunt

Fld Amps 1.79/.24_ _ _ _ _ _ Fld Ohms 25C 120

INS CL F Duty Cont _ _ _ _ _ Max Amb 40 C

Pwr-Sup-Code D _ _ _ _ _ _ _Fld Volts 300/150

 

Type CD328AT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Enc DPFG-BV Inst GEH3967

MOD 5CD184NA055B002

 

I spoke with a gent at GE because I couldn't find any info on it on their website. He let me know that it was built in 1996, and we talked for a few minutes about it, but as his title is Renewal Parts Engineer, he couldn't get too deep into the technical details, though I now know who to contact about parts for it, if needed. One thing he did mention was that it was a pretty impressive motor, that it was a 500-3000 RPM constant torque (I believe), and this is something important. I don't have any idea, could anyone fill me in? I plan on running it down below 30 RPM for big pieces of wood, so the 500 is still quite a bit fast on the low end...

 

We talked about power supplies and speed controls, as well as how the armature was wound (that seemed important for torque output, I think he said) but I soon got lost. I am here because I am looking for info on trying to get this running and don't have much knowledge of DC motors or controls. The lathe I am trying to replicate is a Oneway 2436 http://www.oneway.ca/lathes/2436lathe.htm but I plan on upsizing it a bit, instead of a 10" pipe for the base, I will be using a 12" or 14" for rigidity when turning big pieces of wood, and plan on making the bed longer, maybe 48". Still trying to figure out how to do the spindle, but with more research I should be able to do that as well. I might borrow some of their design ideas, or make something up myself.

 

Anywho, if someone could please point me in the right direction, either websites or threads to read, about the speed controller and power supply, as well as some tips on basic wiring/design info, I would really appreciate it. I will still keep reading around the forum to see what I can learn on my own, of course. Thanks much!

 

 

[alha]

Anyone?

 

*hears crickets chirping..*

[AB2005]

Anyone?

 

*hears crickets chirping..*

 

Hello alha;

 

Answering your question is not an easy job, we need many informations like;

 

1) Are you sure that the your would be compatible with your applications?

2) How did you calculate the required starting and running torque?

3) What kind of control do you want, simple ON/OFF or variable speed control?

4) Do you have only motor and nothing other components for wiring job?

 

Please first answer these questions then we would be able to help.

 

Best Regards.

 

 

[alha]

Hello, and thanks for the reply. I didn't mean any disrespect, it's just that it had been almost a week without any reply, the crickets comment was only in jest.

 

As to your questions, the best I can answer them is:

 

1) I am pretty sure that a 10 hp DC motor would be more than enough to power this lathe, the largest AC motor available from Oneway is only 3hp. Also, I believe I read that the frame size of this motor would make it around 900 lbs, can this be correct?

 

2) I haven't, but it falls along the lines of #1 above, and I have always thought that DC was 'better' than AC when it comes to variable speed, reversable, etc. I know it can be done on AC, but I believed there were less expensive components when going DC. Am I off base, I honestly don't know, that's why I am here

 

3) Variable speed, reversable preferred.

 

4) Yep, it would at this point be only the motor, haven't heard if any other components would be available, so I am going on the assumption they are not, and would be building it from the motor on up.

 

Hope that helps give some direction to the conversation, and if there is anything else I can try to answer, feel free to ask.

 

Thanks much!

 

 

 

Hello alha;

 

Answering your question is not an easy job, we need many informations like;

 

1) Are you sure that the your would be compatible with your applications?

2) How did you calculate the required starting and running torque?

3) What kind of control do you want, simple ON/OFF or variable speed control?

4) Do you have only motor and nothing other components for wiring job?

 

Please first answer these questions then we would be able to help.

 

Best Regards.

[AB2005]

I am here because I am looking for info on trying to get this running and don't have much knowledge of DC motors or controls.

 

Anywho, if someone could please point me in the right direction, either websites or threads to read, about the speed controller and power supply, as well as some tips on basic wiring/design info, I would really appreciate it.

 

Hello alha;

 

As you quoted that you don't have much knowledge about DC motors and control, so I would recommend that you should call an electricain who will do your job.

 

For variable speed and reverseable operation, you would have to purchase a DC drive according to your motor's specs. Drive will be contaning a user manual. Usaully, the drive manufacturer draws a typical circuit diagram in manual for a simple start/stop and variable speed control operation. You just need to connect AC power to drive and drive will provide you;

 

1) A constant power supply for field winding.

2) And variable supply for armature.

 

For a close loop operation (during variable speed control) drive needs speed feed back signal. So you would have to install a "Tacho generator" which would be direct coupled to the motor's rear shaft.

So after purchasing the drive, you would be known after reading the drive literature that which components do you need for your job.

 

 

We are there for any further assistance.

 

[alha]

Thanks for the reply, I am pretty capable at wiring, I wired my workshop (single & 3 phase with a rotary phase converter) by myself, it wasn't (technically) that difficult. I am more looking for information on finding a proper power supply for motor, and the variable unit as well. The reason I am posting here is because I thought that there would be a lot of experience with these things, and could get some gentle nudges in the right direction. I don't plan on paying anyone to do this for me, I have the ability, just not the technical knowledge in terms of parts needed, or suppliers, though I am sure with proper documentation, assembly shouldn't be that difficult. Would used be an option once I determine what parts I need for the project, or is new preferable?

 

Would I need to purchase a GE drive because it is a GE motor, or are they generic based upon the motors specs? Would it be best to contact GE to get a drive and variable speed control? Sometimes it's easier, though not necessarily cheaper, to go with one mfg for the entire unit. If not, where would anyone suggest I go to find the proper parts?

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

Hello alha;

 

As you quoted that you don't have much knowledge about DC motors and control, so I would recommend that you should call an electricain who will do your job.

 

For variable speed and reverseable operation, you would have to purchase a DC drive according to your motor's specs. Drive will be contaning a user manual. Usaully, the drive manufacturer draws a typical circuit diagram in manual for a simple start/stop and variable speed control operation. You just need to connect AC power to drive and drive will provide you;

 

1) A constant power supply for field winding.

2) And variable supply for armature.

 

For a close loop operation (during variable speed control) drive needs speed feed back signal. So you would have to install a "Tacho generator" which would be direct coupled to the motor's rear shaft.

So after purchasing the drive, you would be known after reading the drive literature that which components do you need for your job.

 

 

We are there for any further assistance.

[AB2005]

Would I need to purchase a GE drive because it is a GE motor, or are they generic based upon the motors specs? Would it be best to contact GE to get a drive and variable speed control? Sometimes it's easier, though not necessarily cheaper, to go with one mfg for the entire unit. If not, where would anyone suggest I go to find the proper parts?

 

 

Thanks.

 

Hello alha,

 

This is not compulsory to purchase GE drive for GE motor; you can purchase other brand drive according to your motor's specs. Drive by-self a variable speed control which need some inputs, parameters adjustment and it provide variable out. For example,

 

Drive inputs

1) Three phase input by using circuit breaker or fuse.

2) Start/Stop signal which may be 2wire or three wire control type.

3) 0-10V or 4-20mA signal as speed reference/set point input via 5K or 10K potentiometer.

4) Motor's thermostat's feed back (optional)

5) Tacho gen or encoder feed back for speed measurement.

 

Drive outputs

1) Constant supply for field winding.

2) Variable supply for Armature.

3) Programmed output contacts (drive enable, drive faulted etc)

 

These are the basics. I would recommend you to start by reading in following links having a very useful information about DC drive and their control.

 

DC Drive Fundamentals

 

Basics of DC drives

 

 

 

Best Regards

[alha]

Thanks for the tips, and the links. I will be reading them tonite when I get home from work. Looks like a good place to start this journey. Thanks again!

 

Hello alha,

 

This is not compulsory to purchase GE drive for GE motor; you can purchase other brand drive according to your motor's specs. Drive by-self a variable speed control which need some inputs, parameters adjustment and it provide variable out. For example,

 

Drive inputs

1) Three phase input by using circuit breaker or fuse.

2) Start/Stop signal which may be 2wire or three wire control type.

3) 0-10V or 4-20mA signal as speed reference/set point input via 5K or 10K potentiometer.

4) Motor's thermostat's feed back (optional)

5) Tacho gen or encoder feed back for speed measurement.

 

Drive outputs

1) Constant supply for field winding.

2) Variable supply for Armature.

3) Programmed output contacts (drive enable, drive faulted etc)

 

These are the basics. I would recommend you to start by reading in following links having a very useful information about DC drive and their control.

 

DC Drive Fundamentals

 

Basics of DC drives

 

 

 

Best Regards