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Brushless DC motor spindle

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by The Dude, Jan 7, 2014.

  1. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    I've seen these airplane motors that are brushless DC motors capable of 120,000 rpm. Is that going to work for a cnc machine? I mean the torque is not huge but compared to a dremel it seems close or even better but at a much lighter weight and lower cost($30 vs $80). When I saw the high rpms I thought it would be good for some other applications. I also don't really understand how to buy a collet for one of these. It's just a 3mm shaft with nothing to put a bit into so you have to buy this extra piece.
     
  2. GorillaBob

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    If I remember right, one of the PhlatBoyz used a brushless motor on his PhlatPrinter III. For a router, you would want a motor with good torque and not as high of RPMs. The higher Kv motors tend to not handle jobs requiring high torque. I may be wrong and someone will pitch in. I'll go see if I can find the thread with the motor. I think the guy built his own collete adapter that adapted from the motor to a collet that would hold the bits.
     
  3. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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  4. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    I have used a 900kv out runner that comes with a 8mm shaft, model is 5045 I then pressed and assembled the motor on to the er11 collet also 8mm
    It lasted a good time and was able to mill 3/8 aluminum plate. Prob would have lasted a lot longer but I pushed it hard. Wood and HDPE it had no problems

     
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  5. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    hmmm, I see both of those links don't work. So what do you need to buy to attach to the motor that holds the collet?

    I was thinking of getting this instead of a dremel/colt/handheld rotary tool... and then using it to make the parts for the OX... and then putting my heavy duty router on the OX... and then reuse this motor for polishing/engraving/drilling teeth/whatever takes 120,000 RPM, hehe.
     
  6. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    List of parts
    ER11 collet 100mm x 8mm
    http://bit.ly/1iQAMPy
    Out runner 5045 "has 8mm shaft
    http://bit.ly/1eFruAO
    80 amp ESC
    Then to control it u need a 555 timer circuit
    image.jpg
    So all you do is disassemble the 5045 watch your fingers trust me lol
    Then put it back together using the collet instead of the shaft that came with. I used a hck saw to cut the retainer clip slots.
    Be sure not to press the motor back together to tight as it will wear the bearings faster.
    To calculate your rpm it is supply volts multiplied by your KV
    I recommend 10 amp power supply at 12vdc
    900KV would give you 10,800 RPM max and that's more then enough for anything you would want to mill with it
    I got all my parts from eBay and total cost was $89 for motor and 100amp ESC combo and $26 for the collet/nut and 1/8 insert
     
    #6 Robert Hummel, Jan 7, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2014
  7. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    Wow! That's what I needed to know! And now that I know, I have more questions, haha. It says the runout of the collet is 0.015MM (0.0006") Run-Out Tolerance... so is that what you get after you put it into this motor? DO I need special tools to "press and assemble" the shaft onto the motor?

    You said you burned the motor up? Any ideas how to make it last longer? Can it be rebuilt or does it have to be replaced? Maybe if you had a fan on it? A heat sink?
     
    #7 The Dude, Jan 8, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2014
  8. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    I didn't really care about run out so I can't really say, just anything was better then a rotary tool :)
    I used my drill press with the chuck holding the old shaft as a push pin.
    The reason I burned it up was not heat related rather aggressive ipm in 3/8 aluminum plate is what ended its life.
    I had another idea now that I have a mill but have no need for 1 as I have a 1.5 and 2.2 kW spindle now.

    Here is a pic and the idea is to use abec7 608 bearings to take more aggressive feeds and extend its life
    image.jpg
     
  9. Nick Lancaster

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    Instead of diret coupling you could gear down the RPM. would still have to build a holder for the collet shaft and bearings.

    Also I found this little jem that would let you control the motor speed in 100rpm increments from mach3 or LinuxCNC.

    http://www.logicnc.com/
     
    #9 Nick Lancaster, Jan 8, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2014
  10. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    So basically I can construct a variable speed, extremely high precision handheld rotary tool that can be turned on and controlled from LinuxCNC or Mach3 for about $100? Sounds like a deal!

    OK so I do have a drill press... I could run the motor slow in aluminum.... and then later on rebuild it like above... or would it be easier to just build it like above photo? Are those off-the-shelf parts? How did you couple the router shaft to the motor shaft? Or is this one big shaft that came attached to the collet?
     
  11. Nick Lancaster

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    The picture just above my post would need custom fabricated parts. The video above using one that you only have to press out the 8mm shaft and then press in the collet shaft.
     
  12. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    Hey is this the same spindle as shown here http://www.raynerd.co.uk/?p=1562
    It looks like this would be something you could later on convert to into a lathe that attaches to the OX to make a CNC lathe...
     
  13. Nick Lancaster

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    Sure looks like it. brilliant, i want one now.

    It would not have enough torque for a lathe. And as far as using it for a 4th axis it has no step and hold features it is purely rotary.
     
  14. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    Yes that is the same concept and yes it is possible rebuild it.
    All that holds the er shaft and motor together is the press fit and set screws in the body of the outrunner
    Awww brings back memories haha
    I have all the parts on hand except the motor maybe in the future I will build it again for kicks lol
     
  15. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    Could I use some kind of pillow-block bearing holders with 608 bearings as an off-the-shelf shaft support? I saw them on ebay here http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-8mm-Di...=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item19e2a38050

    Maybe that would accomplish the same thing as the custom parts above? It might be a little tricky but I think I could get a shaft+motor and then use that to make a spindle mount that holds 3 pillow-block bearings and has a motor attachment. The only problem I can foresee is if the cnc machine wants to go down it would apply force to the motor in the z direction and push the shaft out the back of the motor or something like that.
     
  16. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    I'm going to make a vacuum cleaner dust remover that goes around the collet, I could add a suction tube to create airflow around the motor. Until then I have little 12V fans from PCs. It may also be possible to add a thermal shutoff switch... I just disassembled a laserjet, maybe there's one in there ;)
     
    #16 The Dude, Jan 9, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2014
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  17. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    So mount the lowest bearing such that it's race contacts the collet holder flange? Maybe use a washer? Does it need to be some kind of thrust bearing or will 608's work just as well? Man I wish I could make the bearing press fit holder, lol.
     
  18. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    Thanks everyone. I think I have a plan now.
    1. Get the motor+collet-shank
    2. Install shank in motor
    3. Fabricate custom bearing holder
    4. Reassemble
    5. Check and replace bearings annually($0.50ea), replace motor as needed($40).

    This looks like great long-term inexpensive solution for spindles on CNC. After I get the OX running and my $200 router burns out, I'll just put a heavier motor on my old spindle ;).
     
  19. Nick Lancaster

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    Just attach a little fan to the stub of the shaft sticking out of the motor.

    Sort of like this.

     
  20. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    The motor only gets warm to the touch at 12-14vdc and air flows through the motor due to the housing design.
    I would say from experience the main thing to worrie about is dust and chips getting into the windings
     
  21. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Robert Hummel likes this.
  22. matt_o_70

    matt_o_70 New
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  23. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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  24. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Let's make one! cnc of course :)
     
  25. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    I'm up for doing a lathe. Preferably one that bolts onto the routy or OX and can make screws as well as 3D sculptures like faces of michaelangelo, etc.
     
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  26. Public Do Omens

    Guest Builder

    Lathe is a nice idea.

    I had a friend whom wanted a totem pole made with 3 axis CNC i am building.
    I will tackle it meter at a time. My CNC will be open on the X - Axis so extra long parts can fit.
    Reference marks are used to align the work segments.

    Divide & Conquer

    Check out http://www.openbuilds.com/members/cnc-mogul.507/
    Nice image he has for his avatar.
     
  27. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    Hey what about a motor out of an old treadmill for a lathe?
     
  28. Public Do Omens

    Guest Builder

    When my CNC kit is built! I will use a slow moving 4th Axis. to handle the rotation.
    The 1, 2 & 3axis are normal CNC linear axis.

    Speed is not an issue.
    I guess the movement in degrees is proportional to the tool tip width.
    From the tool size you can work out backwards what angel you need to turn you part on this lathe.
    You do a full skin level removal using X, Y & Z then rotate a touch using 4th Axis.

    That's how i am going to build it.

    The hardest part is getting chuck to hold the wood/material both ends. :cool:
     
  29. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    Thanks everyone for all the help. I now have a brushless DC motor spindle working.
     
  30. cletero

    cletero New
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    So, I've been thinking in this idea for a while, but haven't found many up to date, down to earth discussions on the subject, so though I'd ask here. Hope I get some replies as in other forums I didn't [​IMG].

    I was thinking of using this (although not sure if they are all compatible):

    EMAX GT Series 1100KV Outrunner Brushless Motors Type For Rc Plane (GT2815/07) | eBay

    50A Brushless ESC Mystery Cloud 50 APM BEC RC Speed Controller for RC Airplane | eBay

    Multi Servo tester 3CH ECS speed controler tester Power (F008) | eBay

    and this:

    AC 110V-220V TO DC 5V 12V 24V Switch Power Supply Driver Adapter LED Strip Light | eBay

    I planned connecting them to 12V, 40A (max), the motor is 1100 kv which should give me 1100kv*12V=13200rpm and motor is rated at 36A max, so 12V*36A=432W max. Based on Gwizard data, I would rarely use over 200W anyway (MDF, nylon and very light Aluminum cutting under 1mm DOC).

    However, given my limited knowledge on motors and electricity, my biggest question is how the parts are connected together (electrically I mean). How to connect the motors wires to the ESC, to the servo and to the power supply. I'm more on the mechanical side of things and have tried finding info, but most people who do this seem to be more on the electronics side and don't bother to comment or post about the wiring, etc.

    Another option, more power but at higher volts (24V and maybe 30A):

    N5065 320KV 1820W Outrunner Brushless Motor For Electric Skate Board DIY Kit New

    50A Brushless ESC Mystery Cloud 50 APM BEC RC Speed Controller for RC Airplane

    Thanks for any feedback.
     

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