By Rapid Enterprises Inc.

08/20/2021 CNC machines are finely tuned pieces of equipment. The work they produce is robust and tough, but they are sensitive and require delicate care and attention to keep them running their best. Preventative maintenance sounds unproductive but saves on unexpected costs and early replacement of parts and equipment. The investment in CNC machines is substantial, so keeping repairs, shutdowns, and replacement under control is a great cost-saving for your machine shop. These four simple tips to extend machine life require only a little planning for big results.

1. Trained Staff

Always begin with staff training. And get it straight from the CNC machine supplier if you can. Suppliers are the most knowledgeable of the maintenance routines, lubrication, and operational protocols. Staff are empowered to contribute more to the business when there has been an investment made in their training. This will ensure that daily protocols are followed, regular maintenance performed, and any abnormalities reported right away.
Reporting incidents will prevent larger breakdowns, saving up to five times the cost of an emergency repair. Keeping maintenance records also alerts staff when end of tool life or wear should be addressed. As part of staff training, record keeping is vital. Many automated processes are now available that assist with prevention through artificial intelligence (AI) but, even with intelligent programming in place, don’t underestimate the value of diligent and alert operators.

2. Maintenance

Let’s talk about that maintenance schedule. Each machine has its own requirements and will come with a suggested maintenance plan. Here are some suggested guidelines for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance routines to keep machines running at peak performance.
Daily checklists should include checking hydraulic pressure and fluid levels, checking cooling systems, cleaning the machine before and after every operation, and lubricating any parts as needed. A checklist should also ensure tools and spindles are tested for alignment and safety mechanisms are in place.
Weekly, you should clean the CNC control cabinet filter, check pipes and hoses, and do a thorough cleaning around buttons and other areas outside the cutting bed.
Other maintenance over 3 to 6 months (or longer) may include greasing major parts and cleaning the coolant tank filters, replace hydraulic oil, change lubricants, and drain and refill coolant systems. Spindle, chucks, and tools should also be checked regularly for wear, taper, and alignment.
An important part of maintenance is record keeping. A logbook for each machine should record regular maintenance and breakdowns. This serves to predict the end of tool life as well as provide a reference for future problems. These regularly scheduled operations provided long life for your machine and help avoid breakage and production interruption.

3. Spare Parts

While you can follow the maintenance schedule as best as you can, there will come a time in which a certain part will fail. Keeping a maintenance log will help determine expected life. For each CNC machine, certain parts will fail more frequently than others. Because of this, you should make sure that you keep those spare parts on hand. This will allow you to make a quick replacement and minimize downtime.
Parts should also be logged to indicate the frequency of purchase and storage location in the shop for easy access. Tool organization saves on labour.

4. Lubrication

We touched on lubrication in the maintenance category, but it deserves its own mention. When it comes to maintaining your CNC machine, the most important thing that you need to do is to keep it clean and lubricated. CNC machines can be scheduled 24 hours a day. There is much wear and tear on moving parts. Similar to any other type of machine, a CNC machine will need to be cleaned and provided the appropriate lubricants to work well. By cleaning the machine daily and replacing lubricants when necessary, you reduce the possibility of chaff and debris impeding the movement of parts and leading to damage.
Lubricants such as hydraulic fluid should be watched for excessive consumption as well because this can be indicative of a bigger problem.

The human component of computerized and more intelligent machines is probably most important in maintenance. Through training and respected practices, you will avoid premature wear and tear. Unplanned downtime is a huge cost to a machine shop. These four simple tips to extend machine life can be the difference between profit and loss in a shop. Running machines at peak performance will enable your shop to also operate at peak performance.