Warco GH1330 Lathe

Hi all

I am looking to purchase a new Warco GH1330 lathe.
but I love variable speed - especially for parting off.
do my question is. Should I buy a 3 phase machine and fit a VFD - giving me variable speed all gears

Or am I missing something ??

many thanks

Andy

As supplied from Warco, the machine will expect 415v three phase input. In other words, you put a red four or five pin socket on the cable and plug it in. At this stage, we do not know if it needs the neutral supply of the three phase.

Every part of the machine downsteam of the red plug will use the supply it provides. That includes all the control circuitry (E-stop, chuck guard switches, rear cover switch etc.), the light, the suds pump and maybe the DRO if fitted (Warco's site is not clear on if the DRO requires a separate supply or is supplied off the lathe).

The description for the machine says it already has a jog function so there is some unknown electronic wizardry going on there.

You do not say what type of VFD you wish to fit - one that takes 415v three phase input or one that takes 230v single phase input.

Everything is possible but to fit a VFD you will end up removing every part of the lathe that relates to its electric system and re-doing it. That might invalidate the warranty.

The work GH1236 was single phase to start with and I bought a replacement 3-phase motor, Mitsubishi inverter and the Newton Tesla remote pendant to get variable speed. Even this job probably voided the warranty, especially as I interfaced to the original forward and reverse start/stop microswitches. Unless you intend to run the whole machine on 415V 3-phase I think a single phase machine + VFD and new motor is the simplest option. Might be worth a call or email to Newton Tesla as they will have been there before.

Andrew.

When I bought my new GH1322 I went for 3 phase because they were £600 cheaper than 240V single phase which gave me lots of change even after buying an inverter, a cabinet and the additional wiring.

I went to Inverter Drive Supermarket Ltd, their Peter Symonds was very helpful with the wiring changes as he knows these machines well and was able to recommend the right kit for the job. He provided me with marked circuit diagrams after I sent him copies of those in the handbook that comes with the machine.  It wasn't difficult to do and although I don't use the variable speed of the inverter I'd recommend you speak with Peter as he is a mine of information.

Edited By Henry Brown on 23/08/2023 17:34:38

Hi all, apologies for my slow reply

and thank you all for the excellent advice

dc31k thank you for all your advice and very valid comments, I did speak to Warco and their opinion was that only the motor runs 415v no idea about the neutral requirement ?
I have not researched which VFD as yet as it’s still early days and still only a question. Hence my post here

Andrew thank you for your post and experience with your lathe, this was my thought process. Buy a single phase and then later when the guarantee had expired buy a 3 phase motor and VFD to fit but then I thought why not just buy a 3 phase from the outset and fit a VFD straight away although this would void the warranty

very use info so thank you.

Henry thank you for the info here, I will try to speak to Peter next week although I don’t have a wiring diagram as yet

So thank you for the info.

Once again thank you all and I’ll let you know which way I go shortly I need to order by the end of the month to get their 15% off deal. 😀.

Kindest regards

Andy