Cnc power requirements??

[nelsontileandstone]

I'm looking to purchase a cnc fab center and am currently running a 3 phase converter for my 7.5 horsepower bridge saw and electrical service to building has only a 200 amp panel any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated
This is my 1st post to sfa and so far I have enjoyed surfing the forums
Fab center would replace current saw

Thanks, Chris

[GuyboR]

Not sure which CNC Fab center you are looking at, but for point of reference.....
Our Northwood 138 (standard CNC, not a fabcenter) need 230V 3 phase with 130 amps.

Welcome to the SFA forums.

[CustomMarbleGranite]

I would look into the voltage tolerances for your new machine. Phase converters are fine for the most part but do emit dirty volatage. I had a phase converter running my bridge saw but when I contacted CMS about running my router off of it and checked output voltages they said no way. The fanuc computers require a much tighter tolerance for voltage than a typical bridge saw although I'm not familiar with the machine your considering

[nelsontileandstone]

I'm considering a northwood fan center

[Demetri]

You will need a new panel very soon. We have two panels at 200 amps. With one Line Machine, Bridge Saw & Compressor. we were maxed out. Added the second panel which the CNC consumed majority of it another line machine took another gulp. When our Air Compressor Kicks on any machines that are running on that panel you can hear a drag.

If you don't have a compressor already, you might want to consider that as well, when figuring the amperage/setup. Are you able to get more power to the building?

[nelsontileandstone]

Yes the power company quoted $15,000 plus for 3 phase service

[Dan R.]

As unpalatable as that sounds, you have no viable choice, but to have it done.
Do you own the building?
Is this a long term spot for your fabrication?

If you do get the service, get plenty of amps. Get a 400 or 600 amp service. It may be a few bucks extra, but it will save you long term by not having to get a bigger drop in the future.

[Jupiter Granite]

I had 2 pole 200 amp service at my last shop and was able to run a 30 hp and 25 hp converters off the panel in addition to the office and showroom, I was pretty much maxed out with a cnc saw(15hp), proedge IV (3-5hp), Kaser compressor (10hp) and Harrington hoist(1or 2 hp?) for the crane. However, my electric bill averaged $178 a month for everything(cheap). After deciding to purchase some additional machinery, I looked into having the utility company add a new 3 phase transfomer for $18k plus another $12k to get the power from the transformer to my shop. Ultimately, I decided to move to a larger space with two 400 amp 3 phase panels. It was much more than I needed but I figured, room to grow. After 1 year, I could already use more space. I guess what I'm saying is that you need to have enough power available to grow your business. New technologies and machines are great but they require the right kind and amount of power. After a year of moving from a 200 amp 2 pole shop, I am now consuming every bit of 500 amps of a 800 amp 3 phase supply and will definitely be using more by the end of 2016. You may be able to run the cnc off of a phase converter, I did with my 15 hp cnc saw for 5 years without a problem. Its gonna depend on your current and new cnc load on the panel. I believe that the ratio for full load amps using a phase converter is 1.5 times the equipments FLA requirement. However, if a saw-jet is in your future, you definitely won't be able to run it off that 200 amp panel. A 50hp intensifier pump pulls around 175amps at 230v 3ph. Plus the saw motor.

[Matt Lansing]

Pretty sure your going to need a new panel. Our Maxima's are 100 amp breakers at 208 voltage.

[Demetri]

Seriously consider a new place or stay and upgrade service. Once you make the purchase of a CNC, just to move and install by a technician will run 12-15K.

[graniteman]

I'm confused, what power do you have coming in?

Electric, water and discharge (often forgotten) are all things to consider.

You might also think of the vacuum lifter, jib crane and air compressor that you might need now.

[pwukusick]

I have a 5 axis cnc saw (27 hp spindle) that is being run with a Phase Perfect pt3110 phase converter. The saw has a requirement for 23 kw. I installed a new 250 amp, 240 volt single phase service panel. The phase converter is on a 225 amp circuit breaker (I also have a few other circuits for small stuff) . The highest voltage that these converters are available in is 240 volts. Look at their website, the converter supplies very clean and reliable power. The tolerances on the voltages between phases is extremely tight (don't recall the exact percentage right now). If one of the phases drops out, the phase converter will protect itself and your equipment. (I sent the specs on the phase converter to the saw manufacturer, they were impressed.) This unit is not cheap, $10K. There's a machine shop near me that has run a room full of metal cutting cncs for 10-15 years with these converters.
If you are in a rural area, I would also like to add that you should talk to your electric utility to see if they have any concerns. Mine was concerned about the distance of my location from the nearest substation and the size of my line. They were also concerned about the harmonics that my equipment would put on the line and the possible lessening of the power factor. They didn't want my neighbors lights to dim whenever I turned on the machine. Turns out that there were no issues whatsoever. The phase converter also corrects any power factor issue.

[Joshua Hopkins]

We just had a 400amp 480 service installed. We had the panel installed by a local electrician for 9k the city hooked power to it for free. Talk to the city manager and see if he will work with you.