inverter installation on ML7

In course of converting ML7 drive to 3 phase motor, using a Schneider ATV312 inverter, single to three phase. I had intended to place the control unit on the front of the cabinet in place of the Dewhurst switch, but I am sure there is a better location. Do I need to install the inverter in a separate enclosure to protect from swarf and oil, I don't use suds.?

I would be most grateful if any forum members who have gone through this exercise, would give me the benefit of their advice.

David

I just screwed mine to the wall behind the lathe so it was out of the way of chips and any spray from suds when I do use them.

John

Edited By John Baguley on 07/01/2015 17:20:43

David

Most inverters have ventilation slots/holes in their case as long as you make sure these are not directly exposed swarf and oil you should be ok

Most inverters don't have a great deal of protection to keep fingers away from live connections. It'sa good idea to build them into a box following the clear space suggestions in the manual.

Neil

ventilation is important as they can get warm, the ones I use at work are designed to be built into their own control cabinets, so as suggested need protecting from you

Martin P

As Martin above say most inverters seem to be manufactured to be fitted inside a cabinet. My inverters are old type pre used and they were intended to be mounted within a cabinet. I bought 3 alarm boxes at a car boot sale and mounted the inverters in them. I drilled a lot of holes in the bottom and cut a large square shape hole in the top, on which I covered with fine steel mesh. I made 4 spacers about 20mm long, cut and shaped a piece of sheet steel (slopped all four sides) about 20mm all round bigger than the top of the box. I drilled 4 holes in each corner through both the new" LID" and the top of the box, so that when I screwed the lot together it looks a bit like a Chinese pagoda. Cooling air can pass in from the bottom over the inverter, out through the mesh. the pagoda "LID" top keeps out any bits of swarf which might pass through the mesh. All that was at least 20 years ago and I've not had any problems. Incidentally remote control boxes are easy to make, as all the voltages are low 12 or 24.John

My thanks to you all for the helpful advice.

This forum is truly amazing, both for advice and depth of knowledge available and so freely given, thanks.

David

From the manual for this inverter, it is only rated at IP20 ie prevents fingers from being inserted but has no protection against swarf or water. You need to mount it away from swarf and coolant, which I find gets everywhere, possibly also fitting a shield to further improve the level of protection.

Some inverters have a removable front panel which you can mount next to the machine but this one doesn't. However, you can wire up a remote box that has start / stop / direction / job / speed etc controls. This might only need 2 toggle switches and a pot, depending what you want to control. The control signal are safe and low voltage, so nothing special is required for safety.

I wouldn't mount the controls above and behind the machine, as you would need to lean across the rotating machinery to turn it on / off etc - really not recommended! You should also think about wiring up one or more large red e-stops or incorporating a kick switch.

If you have a cabinet, you could even mount the main inverter inside it, assuming there is some reasonable degree of ventilation.

Murray

David,

You could of course connect a small remote control station and mount that in any convenient position or have it on a swing arm ala DRO read-outs.

I mounted the remote on the front of my BH600G and the common VFD unit, used for the Tom Senior and Marlow mills, inside a plastic enclosure fixed to a loose arm hung from my Overhead Crane Rail.

Geoff - Just done a letter, for family member, to the CEO of the company that delivered a damaged sofa.

Thanks for the latest advice.

Installing a remote control station solves all of the problems identified, ordered today.

David

You won't regret having that remote David.

You may want to consider, as I did, in replacing the 'Stop' button with a 'Twist-to-Unlock' mushroom headed emergency one.

Much more convenient.

The 'Management' managed to knock her Ka's rear view mirror off, so next project is to glue it back.

Geoff - I have no intention of asking how she managed that.