New Spindle

[srwtlc]

Well, after 12 years, my 4hp HSD spindle finally said "Enough"!

Instead of getting another one, to the tune of $1800 for a bare spindle, I decided to give AliExpress a try and try one of the Chinese clones. This is a HQD 3.5kw (4.7hp) air cooled square body one that bolted right up to the Z without modification. It was originally pictured on AliExpress as having the same plug as the HSD, but came with the connection as shown, so I had to cut off the cord and wire it in. No big deal, just not as convenient as it could have been. For $350, I can live with it. So far it's working nicely and the noise from the shaft driven fan is not bad at all. It's running at 12000 rpm in the video. Phone mic doesn't reflect the real sound, but it's 70db at 2 feet from it. Way better than the old one in it's last days!

https://youtu.be/xKSPhmZdbZc

[knight_toolworks]

good to know. I know it was hard to fork out for a new spindle a couple years ago.

[scottp55]

Thanks Scott!
VERY good to know...keep us informed!
No problems with the existing VFD?
scott

[zeykr]

Yes, let us know how it goes after several months, a year etc. I'm on my backup spindle now, would cost $1500 to put bearings in the one that's down. Could buy a lot of these for that cost, let alone cost of new one.

[srwtlc]

Hey Scott,

The only thing is that these spindles don't have the thermistor for overheat protection shutdown via the VFD, so you have to disable that in the VFD parameters or just jumper the SBHQ connections to bypass it. The cooling fan on these put out a lot more cooling air than the 80mm electric fan on the HSD's, so I'm not too concerned. Ran a 3.5 hour 3D yesterday and it was just a good warm temp when finished.

[dlcw]

Very interested in the longevity of this spindle, Scott. Mine is approaching 10 years and I'm pretty sure it's ready to **** out. This would be a great alternative to a $1500 replacement HSD, plus it would boost my HP from 2.2 to 3.4. More for less? Didn't think that existed anymore....

[waynelocke]

I have had a 3.5KW Chinese spindle for over 5 years with no problems. I love it and am thinking of buying another just to have a spare.

[scottp55]

Thanks Scott,
Not even sure my little 1hp HSD shaft driven fan spindle HAS overheat protection.
Good to know though(as well as the plug difference).
Good luck
scott

[dlcw]

Well, after 12 years, my 4hp HSD spindle finally said "Enough"!

Instead of getting another one, to the tune of $1800 for a bare spindle, I decided to give AliExpress a try and try one of the Chinese clones. This is a HQD 3.5kw (4.7hp) air cooled square body one that bolted right up to the Z without modification. It was originally pictured on AliExpress as having the same plug as the HSD, but came with the connection as shown, so I had to cut off the cord and wire it in. No big deal, just not as convenient as it could have been. For $350, I can live with it. So far it's working nicely and the noise from the shaft driven fan is not bad at all. It's running at 12000 rpm in the video. Phone mic doesn't reflect the real sound, but it's 70db at 2 feet from it. Way better than the old one in it's last days!

https://youtu.be/xKSPhmZdbZc

Do you happen to have a link to this spindle you could please share? Thank you!!!

[srwtlc]

This was the supplier I ordered it from. As you can see in the ad, it has the connector we would like for plugging it right in, but according to what they told me, the newer ones from the factory now have what was shown in my video. If you search for HQD 3.5KW, you'll come up with several suppliers. At the time I ordered it, there was a small discount and they had the least amount of shipping. Others may be better now, or prices may vary depending on when you look. Be sure to check the options and get the desired collet size. I wanted an ER25, so it was compatible with what I've been using for collets. There are some 2.2KW ones, but they have an ER20 collet. The nose cone is the same size as the HSD, so if you have a dust foot that clamps there, it will fit. I've got the newer SB dust foot and it fits up just the same.

There's a simple wiring diagram on the inside of the cover (for 220v or 380v) that I used to match up with the VFD's marked terminals.

As far as parameters, I just jumpered the factory connections to bypass the thermistor so that the VFD saw a closed circuit. I tried changing the parameter that appeared to be for that (053), but I couldn't get it to work. I didn't see a parameter value for 'disable' and setting it to NO didn't work, so jumpering it was the fix. Note, I have the big honkin' VFD in a box, Yaskawa V7-4X.