I have only had my Skapeoko for a couple of weeks now, it is equipped with the 65mm VFD. The VFD control box has a button on the front and when pressed it turns “Red” or “Off”. During my 2 CNC cuts I was pressing the VFD button turning it “Red” while I changed endmills. I happened to forget to press the button on the VFD (turning the light off" before I continued the cut after a tooling change and the spindle spun up and commenced cutting.
I was under the impression when the VFD controller button was pressed to turn it “Red” it prevented the spindle from spinning up (turning on via software command) as a safety measure. I have noticed that no matter the state of the VFD button “Red” or “Off” the spindle will spin up when I hit continue in Carbide Motion.
What’s the purpose of the VFD button? Is mine defective?
If the red light is on the VFD is powered and the spindle is active. When the light is off the spindle should not be spinning. I forgot to turn my VFD back on again after a tool change and the spindle was not spinning when the machine moved to start the next cut. Luckily I caught it in time and didn’t break the endmill.
Yeah I just went through a search and couldn’t find anything either. I do recall a post on the function of the front VFD button
Maybe a call to support would help you out
This reply is not in regard to your current problem. To avoid VFD problems in the future I would recommend unpluging when not in use. VFD’s are very sensitive and expensive to replace. If you have electrical problems or lightning strikes in the area it can permanently damage a VFD even though everything else in the shop is fine. You have a warranty but eventually that warranty runs out. My Jet lathe has a VFD and I unplug it when it is not in use to avoid damages to the VFD.
US electrical code usually required GFCI breakers and/or outlets in areas that can be subject to water. That includes garages and most shop spaces. VFD and some other variable speed tools will trip a GFCI circuit. When you change speeds that varies the voltage to the motor the VFD is turning. That can result in fluctuations of your input voltage. Those fluctuations can trip a GFCI circuit. If yours works keep using it but if it starts tripping a GFCI then you will have to put a regular outlet in.
My 16" Jet lathe has a VFD and it will trip a GFCI outlet. Previously I had a Jet 12-20 lathe with variable speed. Every time I would change the speed with the Jet 12-20 it would trip the GFCI so I made a new circuit with a single outlet (20 AMP) to avoid the problem. I also run my 120vac Jet 16" on that circuit. The 20 AMP was not required for what I currently run but I wanted to future proof in case I get something that needs more than 15 AMPs. I only wanted to run the wiring once and not have to redo it later.
A surge would not hurt but that usually works on the input to output. A ups would not hurt but only if you have frequent power outages. The arcfault is required in living spaces. Not being an electrician I don’t think they are required in a shop/garage. I have GFCI in the shop except for one outlet. I have arc fault/ GFCI combo breakers in the house living
Quarters.
Simply unplugging when not in use is simplist. If GFCI gives problems then remove GFCI. Some circuits in my home/shop have arc fault/GFCI breakers. Shop circuits have first outlet in branch have GFCI receptacles so I can move GFCI down if required. If you all breakers then the only solution is a new branch circuit.
I like it as a safety feature so that if you are changing a bit you have a hard stop so the spindle doesn’t start spinning while changing a bit. I don’t trust software enough to risk my fingers.
Yeah so what you can do is wait for the spindle to move forward for the tool change then push the button off, do your tool change then push the button again before you “OK” the tool change.
Ok your choice. I am using the Shapeoko 5 for 2.5 years. Never done it, Never had problem, never eard anybody aving problem. Never eard anybody doing what you are doing.
But instead of using the front Button, use the side button, It will cut completly the power to the Spindle.
I’m considering going the VFD route. But, I’m not comfortable with the program starting and stopping the router bits. My background as a machinist remembers the OSHA LOTO (Lock out tag out) rules for working on a lathe, drill press, mill, etc. OSHA does not require a formal LOTO for changing router bits. The rules are pretty simple:
are placed in an “off” position;
provide effective employee protection through proper design and application; and
are under the exclusive control of the employee performing the task. i.e. no one else can turn on the machine, except the operator.
Per OSHA, power must be switched off during tool changes. If the VFD spindle had an on/off toggle switch, that would make it easier than powering down the VFD.
I’m still going to buy the VFD. Wife will appreciate the reduction in noise.
So I’m not the type of guy that does a deep dive into all the details about how something works or “what’s the chance” scenarios. Now I could be totally wrong and I’m not trying to be “that guy” but…
How I see it … when your job reaches the tool change, the Z axis lifts, the spindle shuts off and moves to the change tool position. The software has turned the spindle off. You change the endmill and click ok on the CM screen the spindle moves over the bitsetter, measures the tool and returns to the tool change position. Then the software turns the spindle back on and continues with the job. In my mind it doesn’t matter if you turn off the front VFD button or main power to the VFD since the only way the spindle will get power again is when you click OK after the tool change. One reason I switched to a spindle from the compact router is so I don’t have to turn it on and off.
I know software can have glitches but unless someone has experienced a spindle powering up when it’s not supposed to, which I’m sure we would immediately hear about here on the forum or by C3D posting about it on their webpage, on the FB group and/or by email from C3D I’m thinking it’s a non issue.
I’m not discounting anything anyone has said about it here because it’s a good discussion to have. I guess what I’m saying is, if you don’t trust the software then do whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable.
I think it’s more of a belt and suspenders thing.
When I was using th BitRunner I always hit the button to disable when doing a tool change. When I got the VFD I missed that capability but eventually got over it.
I was not worried about software doing something it shouldn’t as much as some weird electrical event.
Per the instructions that the company provides the button on the front of the VFD controller is ment to prevent the spindle from activating during tool changes as an extra safety. It is recommended to use it per guidance. The software does turn the spindle on/off for tool changes which is great. Tech support confirmed that my VFD controller is defective and they are shipping a replacement.
Thats good to hear. I use a different VFD and the control panel is detachable so I have it moved to the front of my machine. Accessing the actual VFD at the back all the time would be a pain. In fact. when I shut things down for the night its easier to flip the breaker to the VFD than reach the power switch on the device itself.
