Changing spool size

[tourbino]

Thank you so much for this great project! I've spent way too much time on microcontrollers, 3dprinting and cnc'ing (MPCNC), for my wifes liking. When I came across this, she was very happy about a project that she could enjoy as well.

If we wanted to make a version with smaller spools and higher max speed - how should we go about? (I guess this might answer itself when we start to order parts, but I'm too impatient :-) )

[ChristophPech]

The easiest way would be running the motor at a higher voltage. Otherwise making the pulley on the motor smaller and the pulley on the shaft larger will also increase the max speed.

[tourbino]

Obviously enough.. again, thank you so much! I have so many questions about this build. I'm thinking of using motors and bearings that I already have lying, but I feel overwhelmed by the details. Do you have a forum or a community place with discussions on this and similar projects?

[ChristophPech]

Sadly no, I made this on my own. But you can reach me on discord CHP#1429 or Telegram ChPech if you like.

[tourbino]

Thanks! I might hit you up at some point.

I found a 230v 300w motor I had lying (from an old blender). Someone suggested using a 230v AC motor with a frequency converter, to adjust speed. It seems like such converters are quite pricey, so I think your plan still stands. My wife has a S10 Louet spinning wheel, and the RPM on both the spool and the "wing" is about 700. She's spinning regular yarn for knitting and weaving. She changes the speed depending on how tight she want's the threads, both slower and faster. I'll try to measure what is her maximum and minimum speed, but that's not possible right now, because the specific wool she is working with.

If you want a place to hang out for discussions on tinkering and maker-stuff, the forum at V1Engineering/MPCNC is a super place. Very friendly and knowledgable people, some even build their own cars from scratch. (I am on the opposite side of the knowledge spectrum..)

[ChristophPech]

The cheapest VFDs are ~$50 for 0.75kW which should work with a 300W Motor, but they are quite bulky.
Your 300W blender motor is probably an universal motor running single phase. You can adjust it's speed with a Phase-fired controller which start at $1.50 at aliexpress. The disadvantage over a VFD is that at lower speed the power output is also very low. In your case that shouldn't be a problem though as 300W are more than plenty.

[tourbino]

Hello again! I looked into the VFD option, but they are too bulky indeed. I'm going for your recepie. The thing is, I don't find the proper BLDC drivers. The link is dead, and they come in so many different variants. I have an old 19v laptop supply that I was thinking of using. Will a 24v driver board work?

[ChristophPech]

Mine looks exactly like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001502054631.html
It takes anything from 12 to 36V but higher voltage also means higher RPM.