Hello everyone! I started this morning out with a beautiful walk along the gulf coast for the American Heart Association. I wanted to share two things with you today, a couple photos from the event and one more thing (keep reading).
Generosity Begets Generosity
All the giving got me thinking, after all, you know what they say about giving. Generosity Begets Generosity. Generosity is a gift that keeps on giving—so many of the gifts we receive in life turn us into givers.
I wanted to show my appreciation to the Patrons who continue to believe in this project even when life slows its progress way more than I’d like! I was reminded today that I actually did not start this project for myself. I am not a blacksmith, I have no immediate need for an induction heater, but I am a creator. Each and every human has this incredible capacity to imagine and to change things. I wanted to bring a tool within the reach of others that remained out of reach for most. Not a wimpy, “doesn’t deliver on what the box said kind of tool”, but one of a caliber that is not matched in the consumer market at all today.
The Heart of an Induction Heater
I would like to offer the “heart of an induction heater” to all of my existing Patrons (as of today September 22, 2018).
E/I Core from two U/I cores
At about twice the size of a human heart and just about as difficult to source, the matching transformer is by far the most critical, specialized component of the induction heater. Coolant flows around its core in two directions keeping it cool as huge amounts of energy flow through it, making it possible to pump power from your wall outlet into your workpiece. Without it, the IH is just an inverter with some other not really all that exciting electronics. It would be akin to a truck without a transmission. You can’t just connect the crankshaft to the wheels and expect anything good!
I’m including two massive U & I core sets. The same ones that make up the large E/I matching transformer in the newest revision.
Material: 3C85
Single U-I core set AL: ~8400
Single U-I core set µe: ~2000
Single U-Core Dimensions: 93mm x 76mm x 30mm thick
Single I-Core Dimensions: 93mm x 28mm x 30mm thick
Overall Dimensions: U-I Set: 104mm x 93mm
Opening Dimensions: 47mm x 36mm
3C85 Material Technical Data:
Optimal frequency: < 200kHz
Permeability ui: 2000 +/- 20%
Induction at 100kHz, 250 A/m, Bs: > 400mT
But Wait There’s More
Since driving your IGBT properly is a big deal and kind of important for the whole setup, I’m also including a new driver PCB with two Powerex VLA504-01 Hybrid IC Gate Drivers and two Powerex VLA106-15242 DC to DC Converters. Just those four components are about a $70 value alone if you buy them from Digi-Key. The remaining components on the board are just a few dollars worth of passives. an entire Hybrid Driver kit! The full schematics and bill of materials for the Hybrid Driver board can be found here:
1 x New Hybrid Driver Kit including all parts in the BOM above and a PCB
That is a $106.85 value. Thank you for your support!
If you would like to purchase an additional driver kit or U/I core set I’ve included info on that in the FAQs below.
Send Me Free Stuff!
If you are currently a Patron as of the date of this post and would like me to send you this thank you gift, just drop me a private message on Patron saying hello and include your shipping address. The only thing I would ask is that you only request this gift if you are going to use it. We’ll go on the honor system here. 🙂
I look forward to working on this project more and hearing your feedback as well, as you either work on your own or use an IH I’ve built for you in the future.
Q: Is it possible to drive a tank circuit in an Induction Heater with one IGBT?
A: Yes. This is actually how my brothers old IH is set up now. Here is a quick schematic. The capacitors were all off eBay for cheap.
Matching transformer and coupling capsFilter Cap & Coupling CapsSingle IGBT driver and brickSingle IGBT inverter schematic
Q: Can you share more details on the matching transformer?
A: Of course but I need some more space to do it properly. I’m working on a post about just that. In the meantime here is a photo and a short explanation to give you something to start with.
The Matching transformer is wound with 1/4″OD inch copper tubing.
All windings are wrapped in x2 overlapping Scotch Professional Grade Vinyl Electrical Tape Super 88. Meaning as you spiral down the length of the copper tube the electrical tape covers 50% of the layer before it resulting in a 50%+50% overlap (no gaps) and a 200% layer thickness overall (better electrical and mechanical isolation).
The primary winding (connected to the inverter) is composed of 13-14 turns. It has terminals made of copper soldered near the ends to accommodate a high current connection while leaving the ends of the tube free to hook up to the cooling system.
The secondary winding (connected to the tank cap and work coil) is a single turn composed of 4 individual 1/4″ copper tubes connected on each end with a 1/2″ manifold. One side of the manifold connects to one side of the tank capacitor, the other connects to one side of the work coil via a copper plate. The other side of the work coil connects back to the other side of the tank capacitor via another copper plate in close proximity to the first plate. This whole set up ensure the flux is fully enclosed in the system. Were it not you would heat up surrounding metal and loose usable power. (An issue in the first model with the toroidal matching transformer and large tank setup.)
Q: If I’m not currently a Patron or I would like an additional hybrid driver kit could I just purchase one?
A: Yes. I’m not set up to do this formally yet but I can accept Paypal, just drop me a message. For this small batch I made, I’m selling them for $54.95 flat (free shipping to the 48 states, at cost everywhere else). That’s half the cost of buying all the parts yourself or a similar evaluation board (the BG2B). I’ll be able to get this even lower in the future on larger orders for inclusion in the full IH kit. Done! –> I’m also still working on a bulk order for the passives to get the entire driver kit complete. The price difference with and without the passives will likely be less than a couple bucks, keep that in mind if ordering those parts would be an issue for you.
Here is the full excel pricing sheet with individual component pricing info from Digi-Key current as the date of this post.
Q: If I’m not currently a Patron or I would like an additional set of ferrite U/I cores could I just purchase one?
A: Yes. These are quite heavy and require careful packing since they are a fragile ceramic. I’m selling them for $25.95 a set (1 x U core and 1 x I core) flat (free shipping to the 48 states, at cost everywhere else).
Q: What shipping method are you using for the free shipping option?
A: Whichever is the lowest cost at the time of shipping to your location. Usually either USPS first class, priority, or FedEx ground. If you would like to choose a specific method I can do that and just pass on the exact cost to you, no markup.
Q: What about the other parts of the system like the main board, AC rectification & filtering, liquid cooling setup, etc. Can I get one of those?
A: Although I do have fairly complete designs worked out on the rest of the system I don’t have a stock on the parts. I am going to start making posts on the individual components starting with the matching transformer to give you what you need to duplicate each part. The main board schematic and board design are on GitHub although I will be making some changes to it on the next go around.
TLDR; The short version is, Patreon moved its credit card processing service fees from the creator to the patron. Because of this change, Patreon was able to lower the overall fee amount and give more to the creator. The fee amount is (2.9% + $0.35) for each monthly pledge.
Because I have worked on unique e-commerce projects, I understand the intricacies and complications of bulk credit card processing, multiple payees, and the associated charges and chargeback liabilities. However, I do not support Patreon’s decision, and I firmly believe there is a better solution. Because Patreon is a goodwill engine, I think this move is, for lack of better terms, just weird. In addition, I won’t personally be canceling any of my Patreon pledges. Nevertheless, as a patron myself and now a fledgling creator, I do hope that we see these processing fees moved back to the creator.
Other Support Options
Your support is much appreciated, but entirely voluntary. You may continue to make a small donation to support the project and website using Patreon. If you decide to cancel out of principal, I understand entirely. If you prefer I’ve added a PayPal button on the pledge page “Coffee” to enable you to make a small reoccurring monthly pledge that you can change or cancel it at any time.
Or you can send a one-time pledge. Please include a note to let me know it’s a gift and what made you decide to support ReactorForge!
I may add members only functionality to the website linked to Patreon PayPal as well, to mirror and even enhance the capabilities Patreon offers. But I’m not sure there is indeed a need for that yet, or possibly ever. Thank you all again for your support, be it monetary, intellectual, or constructive criticism. I value all of it!
ReactorForge Parts Delivery
I just received the first shipment of parts for building more ReactorForge induction heaters, 258 pounds worth. This component is of one particular importance and one I have settled on despite other possible changes I will be making to the design. Anyone care to take a guess what part this is?
I want to get a better idea of what a machine like this is really worth to you. I’m doing this in an effort to ensure that the additional work I’m about to put into this project to transform isn’t in vain. Because an induction heater price can vary wildly and to go from DIY induction heater to a kit or production unit is a big leap.
I will be completing this project and making it open source regardless of whether or not making a kit is viable. But before I do go down that path, to kit or not to kit, I’d like to know what it’s true value is.
To give you something more concrete to evaluate use the two videos below to get a rough idea of the capabilities of the machine as it relates your needs and use these technical specs.
Reactor Forge Induction Heater Specs:
Simple interface and usability
Operating Voltage: ~220V
Maximum Current Draw: ~40A
Typical Current Draw: 10-30A
Power Factor of near .99% (You won’t find that in a cheap overseas model!)
100% duty cycle
Water cooled (cooler not included but it can be as simple as a garden hose attachment)
Mid-range frequency operation best for small to medium size workpieces. (Lower frequency is possible for larger items above 5-6″ cross section at lower power levels.)
Remote foot switch operation
Simple to complex programmable cycles
Many safety features
All digital operation (so performance is not affected by the environment)
A fully sealed case for protection against debris and dirty shop air.
Hackable! Many future improvements possible such as workpiece temperature feedback for reaching very precise temperatures.
Videos of the current Reactor Forge, Critical Mass in use:
This project is moving forward regardless of Patreon backing. However, any support will be a great motivator as well as help with the time, money and effort required for this project.
The ReactorForge open source induction heater is my way of giving back to the maker community so Patreon or not I hope you find use in this work! For anyone who has ever wanted to make a homemade induction heater that goes beyond being just a novelty, the DIY kit and plans will be your ticket!
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