Mafell router motors?

[WillAdams]

I bought a Mafell FM 1000 WS and got a 220V--110V transformer:
https://community.carbide3d.com/t/mafell-spindle-with-manual-tool-change-fm-1000-pv-ws/22023/18

which has worked well.

 

[jeffinsgf]

What am I missing? Why use a step-up transformer instead of just using 220 power? If this is going to be in the shop rather than the field, surely 220 is available??

 

[Peter Kelly]

Kress has 110v spindles available in the US.https://store.cncstepusa.com/products/kress-800-fme

 

[WillAdams]

The unit uses 220V residential current such as one would find in a European home --- not 220V (EDIT: not three-phase as corrected by [member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member]) such as would be used for a welder or oven or electric dryer.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The unit uses 220V residential current such as one would find in a European home --- not 220V three-phase such as would be used for a welder or oven or electric dryer.

Residences do not use 3-phase. The only difference between Euro 220 and American 220 is 50 cycle vs. 60 cycle which means very little in universal motors. It will run a little faster, but not enough to matter. A step-up transformer will not alter the frequency, so you would be in the same spot.

 

[Cheese]

While it's possible to have 240V 3-phase at a residence, it's very unusual unless there is also a large shop connected to the residence. Here's an easy way to determine if you have 3-phase power.
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Single‐Phase-or-3‐Phase#:~:text=Look%20for%203%20poles%20to,so%20there%20are%203%20poles.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

What am I missing? Why use a step-up transformer instead of just using 220 power? If this is going to be in the shop rather than the field, surely 220 is available??

This is in a commercial cabinet shop, there is 220v power all over the place (some even is 3 phase) but it is all hardwired. There are no "open" 220v outlets though. The table where I would be using this is also out on the open floor, with the nearest column that could have power is 25 feet away. I can't just have a 220v cord laying on the floor.

 

[Peter Kelly]

Residential 400v 3ph is actually pretty common in Germany and some other countries in Europe. Most electric stoves, ovens, water heaters, seem to run on it, just haven't seen a lot of 3ph wall outlets though.

 

[mino]

Residential 400v 3ph is actually pretty common in Germany and some other countries in Europe. Most electric stoves, ovens, water heaters, seem to run on it, just haven't seen a lot of 3ph wall outlets though.

Yes, usually houses as well as (lately) flats have 3-phase power.

One will not see many 400V outlets as 40V is mostly used for fixed appliances or very specific machines. So it is common to have a (literal) couple of the 15A industrial outlets in the garage or a shed while the home sockets are all single-phase.

With casual outlets giving our 3.7kW (5hp) there is little impetus to install many 400V sockets.
People mostly us 3-phase 400V outlets to run synchronised/industrial 3-phase motors and less so as a "power" upgrade play. That is even less so lately as single-phase async motors got reliable-enough for even concrete mixers to move single-phase for the home sized ones.