Who repairs VFDs?

M

moonlight machine

Diamond

Joined

Nov 19, 2007

Location

marysville ohio

• Nov 18, 2015

• #1

My Miltronics ML20 has a Magnetec VFD for the spindle motor. It over loads and drops out when ever the spindle has a heavy load. A 1 1/2" spade drill in 304 for example. It never had this problem til about a month ago and seems to be getting worse all the time. Now it has started losing its parameters when you shut the machine off. It only takes 10 - 15 minutes to re install them but what a PITA. I found Precision Electronic Services in Danville Va. on line, anyone use them? They say it will cost about 975.00 to repair and that is with a 18 month warranty. A new one from Miltronics is now a Yaskawa brand and they want 2375.00 for it, seems high to me.

 

IAMATT

Stainless

Joined

Aug 3, 2009

Location

LAS VEGAS, NV

• Nov 18, 2015

• #2

Almost every drive repair shop will hip shoot you a quote almost to the dollar of 50% of the cost of new. Without even knowing what is actually wrong with the drive. I have never heard of Magnetec but Yaskawa makes one hell of a long lasting drive.

 

SAF

Stainless

Joined

Jul 20, 2014

Location

MI USA

• Nov 19, 2015

• #3

Galco.com used them many times
And the drives always worked.

 

M

MRH

Plastic

Joined

Aug 25, 2008

Location

Juneau WI

• Nov 19, 2015

• #4

Yaskawa, who had already been manufacturing drives for MagneTek, bought the drives business unit from MagneTek in 2001, according to a quick Google search. Remember years ago going to a local distributor sponsored seminar for MagneTek drives, and a few years later they were selling Yaskawas, same drive IIRC, just different enclosure. Yaskawa distributor should be able to help with repairs. Had years of trouble free operation with Yaskawa drives. They also had more basic models, without all the bells and whistles of an Allen Bradley.

 

Chip Chester

Diamond

Joined

Dec 13, 2007

Location

Central Ohio USA

• Nov 19, 2015

• #5

Is the cooling airflow/fan ok? Can you check for consistent motor current?

Chip

 

ifixcnc

Hot Rolled

Joined

Feb 6, 2015

Location

Cleveland Ohio

• Nov 19, 2015

• #6

If the Miltronics quote mentions the Yaskawa drive number just buy one else where. Machine builders mark things up 3 or 4 times the cost. If you have the machine drawings and motor tag data you could substitute an Teco brand drive for a lot less money. Factorymation is a great supplier with strong tech help. Best of luck!

 

M

moonlight machine

Diamond

Joined

Nov 19, 2007

Location

marysville ohio

• Nov 19, 2015

• #7

ifixcnc said:

If the Miltronics quote mentions the Yaskawa drive number just buy one else where. Machine builders mark things up 3 or 4 times the cost. If you have the machine drawings and motor tag data you could substitute an Teco brand drive for a lot less money. Factorymation is a great supplier with strong tech help. Best of luck!

Click to expand...

Miltronics has their own part number not related to any Yaskawa number

 

E

ewlsey

Diamond

Joined

Jul 14, 2009

Location

Peoria, IL

• Nov 19, 2015

• #8

Magnetec = Yaskawa as far as I know.

Precision Zone in Chicago can repair it for you. They repaired the one on my Haas.

 

B

Bruce Griffing

Titanium

Joined

Jan 1, 2003

Location

Temple, Texas

• Nov 19, 2015

• #9

I have repaired several VFD's. The most common problem is the main capacitor(s) get weak or go open. The symptoms are as you describe. If you can solder, remove the drive and open it up. Look for one or more large electrolytic capacitors. Match the values and physical size - making sure to get a low esr capacitor. You can easily find a match on Mouser or Digikey. Cost will probably be less than $100. Maybe less than $50. If you are in doubt, take some photos of the guts and post here.