What are Spindles and VFD’s?

You may have seen or heard of CNC VFD & Spindle set ups. They are an excellent upgrade from traditional AC Routers like the Makita RT0700 or DEWALT 2600. However, the power, performance and safety of these devices should not be underestimated.

Variable Frequency Drives known as VFDs or VSD are technically speaking, Inverters, which operate over a wide frequency range. An inverter can change DC current into AC, but for our purpose, we are taking a single phase in (your mains power), rectifying it to DC, before inverting it back into AC; split over 3 phases (from 0 to 400Hz). More simply: powering and managing the speed of a 3 phase spindle all from only a single-phase input. The VFD accepts a 0-10V signal from the CNC controller to manage the speed of the spindle.

Why is this important?

Automatic CNC of a spindle provides a smoother workflow.
Lower run out on the superior ER grade collets provides a better finish and longer tool life as well as offering a wider range of collets in metric and imperial sizes at up to 13mm (for ER20 series)
3 Phase spindles are designed for constant operation and so will run for many more hours in a day, over a trim router (Makite/DeWalt).
The comparably whisper quiet operation wil be appreciated by all.

Makita, Dewalt and similar wood trimming routers are single phase brushed motors, which can produce a lot of both audible and electronic noise, require the brushes replacing at intervals and is actually only designed for short use. The spindle speed is so fast that cutting material like aluminium can become tricky. They do serve a purpose and are great to begin, but for longer, more precise jobs, a spindle and VFD is an excellent choice.

Make The Perfect Carve

To keep things simple, we have packaged together all you need to load your CNC machine with a Spindle set up. Included is Spindle, VFD, cable and wiring diagrams. You just need to decide what size spindle your machine can take, by learning more below.

Get Great Detail

The 3DTEK spec spindle is grounded, safe and highly reliable. Our VFDs are high quality European designed, produced, & Worldwide approved for robustness.

Take a step towards a professional set up. By selecting one of our Spindles and VFD’s, it ensures just that.

High Quality, High Reliability

There are many inverter options on the market. We have tried them all from the ‘Cheap Chinese’ to the super expensive. The best VFD we have found for value and performance is the Invertek Optidrive series. Crucial to its performance is the on board EMC filtering. VFDs and Spindles are inherently electronically noisy. With this in mind, quality components, good PCB layout and stable firmware results in a quality product meaning a quality finish to your work.

Finally, pairing with a heavily shielded specialist VFD cable ensures your jobs run uninterrupted and finishes how’d you expect.

Spindle Options

For all CNC Router set ups and the perfect carve

Machine Type

Hobby use
Makerslide
V-Wheels

1.5 kW Ø65mm ER11 Spindle & VFD

Nimble, 65mm diameter 3kg spindle. Perfect for lightweight, ‘DIY’ and any machines susceptible to flex under load, or with Z axis steppers unable to lift heavier spindles. Move away from a wood router and upgrate to a 3DTEK set for improved finish, control and reduced noise.

The 65mm spindle body allows this spindle to fit into all 3DTEK XYZ-Carve Machines and any other machine using a 65mm clamp or bracket. This 65mm Spindle shares exactly the same diameter body as the Makita RT0700 router.

In The Kit

1.5kW Invertek VFD
1.5kW Ø65mm Grounded Spindle
Custom length VFD Cable
ER11 Lock Nut
Wiring suggestions

More Informaion

This Spindle and VFD requires a 13A power point. We supply wiring diagrams and support, but the wiring of the VFD should be installed or signed off by a fully qualified electrician.

Machine Type

Home, Shed use
Lite Industrial
Rigid construction

1.5 kW Ø80mm ER16 Spindle & VFD

80mm Spindle body weighing 4kg, well suited to more rigid CNC router machines like Shapeoko, Openbuilds, Heavymills, 4×8 CNC router kits etc. Helps reduce noise in or around workship. This spindle has an ER16 collet allowing for endmills up fo 10mm in diameter

In The Kit

5kW Invertek VFD
5kW Ø80mm Grounded Spindle
Custom length VFD Cable
ER16 Collet Nut
Wiring suggestions

More Information

This Spindle and VFD requires a min 13A power point. We supply wiring diagrams and support, but the wiring of the VFD should be installed or signed off by a fully qualified electrician. This Spindle and VFD will run on your 3 pin mains socket.

Machine Type

Workshop
Lite Industrial
Rigid Construction
X- Rail can support

2.2 kW Ø80mm & VFD

2.2 kW Ø80mm ER20 Spindle & VFD

The heaviest spindle in our range at 5.2kg is suited for rigid machines with a large stepper motor on the Z axis to control and support the weight with ease. The ER20 collet system accommodates Endmills up to 13mm in diameter. The extra power and larger collet size become useful when repeatedly cutting tough materials such at Metals and Hard Wood.

In The Kit

2.2kW VFD
2.2kW Ø80mm Grounded Spindle
Custom length VFD Cable
ER20 Collet Nut
Wiring suggestions

More Information

This Spindle and VFD requires a minimum 20A power supply. We supply wiring diagrams and support, but the wiring of the VFD should be installed or signed off by a fully qualified electrician. This Spindle and VFD is not suitable for your normal 3 pin mains socket.