Most Common Reasons for a CNC Machine To Break Down
A properly running CNC machine can save facilities thousands of dollars in equipment, repairs, and compensation fees. Employees are at risk each day a machine experiences a breakdown or mechanical dysfunction. Let’s look at a few common reasons for CNC machine breakdown and how to avoid them to ensure safety and successful operations.
A Lack of Routine Maintenance
Easily, one of the most significant reasons for machine breakdown and failure is a lack of routine maintenance. Facilities get busy, and other things take precedence during peak production times. But neglecting regular maintenance can hinder production, put worker safety at risk, and increase the chances of unaffordable repairs or replacements.
Often, dirt and debris build up in the machining and create grinding or sliding. Removing the buildup can eliminate these issues and improve the machine’s accuracy. But ignoring the grinding increases the buildup and forces the machine to overcompensate.
Another issue with a lack of routine maintenance is inadequate lubrication measures. Lubricity is a vital element to working mechanisms and machine accuracy. Without this step, the machine is at risk of overheating or blocking airflow.
Incorrect Settings
When the machine begins to operate on the incorrect setting, you may notice issues with overall production outcomes. You may also notice that the machine must work harder than necessary to keep up with demand.
Completing a settings test regularly can verify the machine is set to the correct pace for vital parts and production rates and doesn’t degrade or wear out components. A ball screw assembly plays a significant role in CNC motion control, and the incorrect setting feature can wear on the mechanism and leave it damaged.
Poor Programming
Similar to incorrect setting features, it’s possible for a CNC machine to have poor programming resulting in severe consequences. You’ll notice the outcomes of this issue directly in the produced products. If the products show flaws, failure, or dysfunction, it’s possible that the machine’s programming is inaccurate or out of alignment.
CNC machine programming is a cause-and-effect feature, so it’s relatively easy to diagnose problems with it. You can correct issues by properly training every employee on the machine’s coding. This way, they can witness the faulty product and correct the machine’s programming right away.
Hopefully, by understanding the most common reasons for CNC machine breakdown, you can re-evaluate your facility’s output to address the issues. Each problem is fixable with the proper guidance, but it’s essential to correct the problems promptly to ensure facility safety.
