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CNC Machine Daily Checklist

ljeremy578

Plastic
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Does anyone have a daily template/list of things an operator should be checking every day such as way oil, coolant, etc. I am trying to put something together for my guys to follow on a daily basis. Thanks for the help!
 

Ox

Diamond
Joined
Aug 27, 2002
Location
West Unity, Ohio
#1) Check what is in the spindle before you initiate the warm-up routine.
Is that tool able to spin at the speeds in the routine?

Ex: Boring head or REALLY long tool.

Folks have been killed from a tool coming loose and shooting accrost the shop before.


------------------

Think Snow Eh!
Ox
 

Scruffy887

Titanium
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Location
Se Ma USA
#1) Check what is in the spindle before you initiate the warm-up routine.
Is that tool able to spin at the speeds in the routine?

Ex: Boring head or REALLY long tool.

Folks have been killed from a tool coming loose and shooting accrost the shop before.


------------------

Think Snow Eh!
Ox
That should be #2.. #1 is LOOK AT THE LIST!
 

trevorflowers

Plastic
Joined
May 26, 2023
Location
Seaettle
Before power:
- Look around the machine for fluid leaks
- Check coolant tank for low level or gunk
- Check oiler tank level
- Check hydraulics level
- Inspect table for damage or forgotten fixture
- Check that spindle rotates freely and without crunchies
- Check that the proper warm-up tool is in the spindle
- Check that the ATC is in the proper initial position

Power on:
- Check for unexpected error messages
- Zero axis, listening for bad noises (or jog the axis if the machine doesn't need zeroing)
- Run the warm-up
- Manually turn the coolant on and off
- Check the table and fixtures, clear any chips and look for damage
- Validate the tool and work offsets (I tell my guys to take a photo of their offsets when they stop for the evening)
 

yoke

Hot Rolled
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Location
PA
Before power:
- Look around the machine for fluid leaks
- Check coolant tank for low level or gunk
- Check oiler tank level
- Check hydraulics level
- Inspect table for damage or forgotten fixture
- Check that spindle rotates freely and without crunchies
- Check that the proper warm-up tool is in the spindle
- Check that the ATC is in the proper initial position

Power on:
- Check for unexpected error messages
- Zero axis, listening for bad noises (or jog the axis if the machine doesn't need zeroing)
- Run the warm-up
- Manually turn the coolant on and off
- Check the table and fixtures, clear any chips and look for damage
- Validate the tool and work offsets (I tell my guys to take a photo of their offsets when they stop for the evening)
You're running a machine, not about to take off in air force one.

Is this after a second shift?
 

604Pook

Aluminum
Joined
Sep 14, 2022
I check coolant and way lube while the machines are warming up. This is also when I usually gather tools for the upcoming job, that aren't in the machines standard load up.
 

Ox

Diamond
Joined
Aug 27, 2002
Location
West Unity, Ohio
Mill:
Other than a warm-up routine while changing last nights parts, I may change a tool or two first thing, but not liklely. Typically - it should have all been fresh when the last load went in last night. My main objective is to git the spindles turning ASAP. I can dink with coolant and lube once things are running. (hydro oil)

Fixed Headstock:
In the case of a 24hr job, then hopefully I don't have to change any tools 'till around 10AM if possible. And then 10 tonight again. Sometimes a tool will need changed 3x a day.

Swiss
I guess I have several jobs on the swiss lathes that need a tool every day, and they don't run nights, so those doo git changed first thing in the mourning. Conveyor ran out while the oil is all drained too.

But none-the-less, I Shirley aint takin' time to top up the lube and coolant before the spindle is turnin'.
I git paid piece rate.



You're running a machine, not about to take off in air force one.

Is this after a second shift?

He is practising his CDL pre-trip inspection - indoors.


------------------

Think Snow Eh!
Ox
 

trevorfsmith

Plastic
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Y'all. I kinda don't understand why you think my checklist is too much. Seriously, it takes a few minutes and overall it saves time because I don't have to deal with low coolant alerts or whatever during the day. I get that we all want the spindles turning but quickly checking the machine seems like a no-brainer, especially if my nephew closed up the night before. :-)
 

mmurray70

Hot Rolled
Joined
Jan 11, 2003
That should be #2.. #1 is LOOK AT THE LIST!

Thats great advice. I had a new guy miss a step on a setup checklist once. I asked him how he missed it since we had a checklist fort his job? He said it was too long so he didnt read it.
 

mhajicek

Titanium
Joined
May 11, 2017
Location
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Y'all. I kinda don't understand why you think my checklist is too much. Seriously, it takes a few minutes and overall it saves time because I don't have to deal with low coolant alerts or whatever during the day. I get that we all want the spindles turning but quickly checking the machine seems like a no-brainer, especially if my nephew closed up the night before. :-)
It's not that it's too much to check, but that it's wasting time to check all that before powering up. I power up the mills, then the air compressor while the mills are booting, then home the mills and start their spindle warmups (making sure a suitable tool is loaded). Then I can deal with coolant etc. while they're warming up.
 

Scruffy887

Titanium
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Location
Se Ma USA
Mazak has each machine with its own internal checklist, all on timers. Daily, weekly, monthly, and hourly (like 1500 hours). GREASE THE CHUCK is usually 40 hours. Control will show a warning until they are cleared. DAY CHECK is a long list that comes up every day. You can check off every item, or push the CHECKED icon and all become checked. Newer ones may even talk to you to check, don't know. Turned that off right away.
 

yoke

Hot Rolled
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Location
PA
The entire checklist takes maybe five minutes. You really don't check your coolant? Gross.
I'm just busting your balls. Most of your list is good and common sense if you have multiple shifts. Much of that can be discarded in small shops with one shift. If there is damage to a part or fixture I know about it before I go home the night before.

All my machines have a built in maintenance schedule. Coolant has been very stable for us and has never had an issue. Is it common for coolant to spoil overnight?

Th long and short is you'll never be sorry you take the time to do all things you do, although it is likely unnecessary in many shops.
 

cnctoolcat

Diamond
Joined
Sep 18, 2006
Location
Abingdon, VA
One important thing I have always done (and have taught the guys to do), is walk around back of the machines and inspect the linear guides. We leave some sheet metal easily removable (or just removed) for visual inspection of the machine, and access to the linear guides and ballscrews as needed.

Chip ingress can be very damaging to linear guides---keep them clean! Especially the plastic end covers on the linear-guide trucks, these can get penetrated by steel chips---or even worse busted open. And out comes your balls...and that's never a good thing! (well, most of the time, tehehe)

ToolCat
 








 
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