Common CNC Machine Malfunctions

CNC machines are designed to be extremely precise so more work can get done. They're a significant expense, and professionals expect a lot from them. Most people aren't used to having any problems with them, but they will malfunction from time to time. Typically, it's either because of a user error or possibly because the machine hasn't received the maintenance it should. Learn more about the most common issues people have with them, so you know what to do. 

Vibrations 

This may be called chattering in certain circles due to the noise the machine makes as it vibrates. Chatter may not impact the quality of your work necessarily, but it can shorten the lifetime of the actual machine. Usually, this is caused by too much deflection, so ensure that you're extremely precise with the cuts that you make. The deflection needs to be kept under 1/1000 of an inch (so there's very little room for error.) 

Burns on the Material 

Keep an eye out for any type of burning on the edges of the material that you use. This generally indicates that the tool itself has lost some of its sharpness along the way and needs replacing. Or it may be because your feed speed is too slow. Inspect the tool or adjust your speed, and the machine should work just fine after that. 

Too Much Heat 

Your CNC machine is designed to handle a lot of pressure, but it can be severely damaged by too much heat Anything over 150 degrees can put the CNC machine at risk of destruction. Your first step is to check and clean the filters because they tend to get clogged with dirt and dust. If that doesn't help, you may need a professional to repair the machine. 

CNC machines are complicated, and no one can ever understand them completely. The more experience you have with them and the more you learn though, the better prepared you'll be. If you'd like more information on grinding services or CNC machining, contact the grinding company Sturdy Grinding & Machining today.