My 1.5kW water cooled SO3 XL

[gose (Greg)]

There have been some discussion around water cooled spindles in New spindle, water cooled, so I thought I would finally post some details of my setup.

• Spindle: 1.5kW water cooled spindle from UgraCNC: https://ugracnc.com/index.php/online-store/product/gmt-water-cooled-cnc-spindle-1-5-kw-220v-24000-rpm-r. 80mm diameter, 3 phase 220v, ER16 collet.
• Mounted with 80mm custom spindle mount from Chris at Blue Ox Solutions: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Designed-to-Order-Router-Spindle-Mount-for-most-Routers-Spindles-and-CNCs-/261577624361
• Cooling: All in one reservoir / pump / radiator: http://www.swiftech.com/MCR140-X.aspx, Also a cheap flow meter from eBay to monitor that the water is actually flowing.
• VFD / AC Drive: Allen Bradley Powerflex 523 (http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Drives/PowerFlex-523), specific model is 25A-A8P0N104 - 2 hp, 240v single phase
• VFD / spindle speed is controlled by GRBL using PWM2B from Tutan Automation (http://tutanautomation.com/shop/pwm2b-2-channel-pwm-to-analog-converter/) to convert PWM from GRBL to 0-10 VAC for the AC drive
• Dust shoe is Mini-Split Shoe from KentCNC, 80mm w/ 3" brush ring (https://www.kentcnc.net/nc/mini-split-shoe). Dust separation using Rockler DustRight cyclone (http://www.rockler.com/dust-right-dust-separator). Suction from a Dewalt DWV010 hepa shop vac (http://www.dewalt.com/products/power-tools/dust-management/dust-extractors-and-vacs/8-gallon-wetdry-heparrp-dust-extractor/dwv010)

There’s a lot of other stuff going on to control relays for spindle e-stop and safety switch, auxiliary relays to control vacuum, and various other power supplies. Everything is driven by an RPI and touchscreen monitor using bCNC. Let me know if you want any other specifics!

[grumpa (Jude Marleau)]

That control equipment “electrical stuff” picture is amazing, what a project, appearantly all works fine, congratulations. Anything can work if you do…Jude

[pdkinlaw (David)]

AWESOME setup.How do you like it so far. Im looking to start out using this.

MYSWEETY 110V 1.5KW Water Cooled Spindle Motor CNC Spindle Motor +1.5KW Converter + 65MM Clamp Mount + 13pcs ER11 Collet + 5M Water Pipe + 110V Water Pump - - Amazon.com

But i will control the speed through the VFD. How was it mounting the new spindle mount to the Z axix? any mods needed to be done?

[gose (Greg)]

Chris from Blue Ox was able to customize the mounting hole location on the spindle bracket. I then used 6mm M5 spacers to move the plate off of the z-axis plate. Specifically, I ordered https://www.mcmaster.com/#94669A168. Given the tolerances, I ordered 15 and took the most tightly matched for my mount. I also ordered 25mm M5 bolts and nylon insert flange nuts to finish the mounting. Below is a picture of the setup.

[jdg3 (Jerry Gray)]

Could you tell me how big of a water reservoir does one need for a spindle?
Thanks for all the detailed info!

[gose (Greg)]

I can’t say I sized up the cooling capabilities for the setup I used. As far as I can tell, no useful specs are published about these spindles wrt the required cooling. I chose the Swiftech solely because it was all in one, a closed system, and I figured that it if it could cool a CPU, it would work fine for a spindle. That said, I haven’t noticed any excessive temps in the spindle, even after 30-40 min jobs.

[gose (Greg)]

I wanted to share some of the aluminum work I’ve done with this setup. 1/4" 6061 pieces I’m working on for DIY speakers: