Tired Of System Failures? Why Your CNC Machine Might Be Failing You

Posted on: 9 September 2018

If your manufacturing operation involves the use of CNC machines, you've got your work cut out for you. CNC machines work under some extreme conditions; conditions that can result in premature wear and tear if you don't take the proper precautions with your equipment. In a manufacturing setting, if your CNC machines aren't working, you may have to endure a work stoppage until you can get them up and running again. One way to protect your CNC machines is to know what can go wrong with them. After all, if you know what the hazards are, you can take steps to avoid them. Here are four problems that can destroy your machines.

Overheating

When it comes to your CNC machines, overheating is one of the biggest hazards. That's because your machines generate a great deal of heat during operations. If your machines don't have adequate coolant levels, or the coolant is contaminated, they're not going to be able to withstand the heat. Once your machines overheat, they're going to shut-down, either temporarily or permanently. If the overheating is significant enough, your CNC machines will shut down permanently, which means you're going to be looking at replacing them. You can avoid the issues involved with overheating by checking the coolant levels on your machines at the start of each shift, and then replacing as needed with a coolant for machining.

Excess Moisture

Excess moisture is another issue that can wreak havoc on your CNC machines. Unfortunately, humidity can build up quickly in a factory. Excess moisture and humidity inside a factory can contaminate your machine fluids, short out the circuit boards, and lead to system malfunction. To prevent damage caused by excess moisture and humidity, it's important that you provide proper ventilation for your work site and that you install a dehumidifier.

Improper Maintenance

If you're not following the proper maintenance schedule for your CNC machines, you could be looking at serious problems down the road. Proper maintenance is key to keeping your machines functioning at peak efficiency. Part of your maintenance plan should include daily inspections and fluid changes. It's also important that you take care of repairs as soon as you discover a problem with your machines.

On Board Contamination

When you open the cabinet for your CNC machine, you'll notice the control panel. You'll also notice a filter system. That filter is designed to keep your machine clean. The filter is often one of the most overlooked parts of the CNC machine, but it shouldn't be. The filter is responsible for keeping contaminants out of the machine; contaminants such as dirt and metal shavings. If the filter gets clogged, your CNC will not function properly. If you have changed the filters on your CNC machine lately, you should take care of that right away.

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