Maintaining an effective cutting machine is key for increasing productivity, but this task needn’t take much of your time or energy.
Documenting service records and regularly cleaning the machine are easy and effective preventive maintenance measures. With remote machine access & connectivity from eWon, troubleshooting problems is faster & simpler; helping keep your machine operating at maximum efficiency extending its lifespan.
1. Clean It Regularly
Cleaning your machine regularly is key to making sure it runs efficiently. Dust and other debris can accumulate inside, leading to issues with its blade, mats or carriage. To clear away this debris from your machine use glass cleaner or soft cloth; alternatively use a small bristled brush as needed. Be wary when using liquids around electronic buttons as these could potentially be detrimental.
Cleaning your machine frequently or on an as-needed basis will help ensure it remains in great condition, and may prevent larger issues from emerging over time. A little preventive maintenance could save hours in “corrective” maintenance costs; additionally, this regular care can keep it running efficiently for an extended period of time, helping increase productivity while decreasing costs.
2. Check for Debris
Checking for debris regularly on your cutting machine can not only increase its efficiency, but it can also prevent small problems from snowballing into unexpected downtime.
Fabric or mat material that becomes caught up on a blade should always be avoided as this could result in injury if operator negligence exists. To minimize this risk, always keep hands and fingers away from moving blades.
Make sure that any power and USB cords don’t get in the way of fabric when moving through the machine, as doing so could damage dies and result in downtime. Therefore, when not in use it’s advisable to store dies properly – usually this means wrapping them in oil paper before storing in either hanging bags or flat boxes (such as our well-known blue ones ) which are commonly available from craft stores.
3. Lubricate the Guide Rails
Guide rails of cutting machines can become damaged if they’re not regularly lubricated with oil. Applying lubrication at least every six months can prevent thermal damage to keep the rails running smoothly and ensure thermal damage doesn’t occur.
Lubricants also can prevent cracking of fragile samples with layers, thus adding time and cost to the process, while potentially creating other issues as a result of cracking.
White lithium grease should be used to lubricate guide rails. Clean the rails thoroughly and then apply small amounts to each screw and rail; move the gantry gently back and forth to work it into position – this will prevent screws from loosening over time, thus prolonging its lifespan and guaranteeing its efficiency.
4. Change the Blade
Over time, your cutting machine may lose the calibration necessary for registration and cut quality due to debris accumulation, general wear-and-tear or any number of external influences.
There are several things you can do to keep your machine operating at its optimal performance, one being switching out the blade regularly. To do this, first open up the blue clamp and remove the old blade – be careful handling this as it is very sharp – before placing it carefully into a new plastic blade housing with screw you removed when first attaching new one – remembering to save this screw as well for later attachment of new blade!
5. Clean the Mat
When working with machines that can cut fabric and paper, it’s essential that the mat be kept as clean as possible to avoid environmental factors like dust or dog hair sticking to it and impeding on your cuts. Keeping a tidy mat will prevent such impediments as dust or pet fur from adhering to it and hindering your cuts.
For optimal cleaning of a cutting mat, begin by running lukewarm water through it with dishwashing detergent. Next, use a soft bristled brush to scrub its surface until clean before rinsing off and letting the mat air-dry completely before using again.
6. Clean the Electronics
A cricut machine depends on an uninterrupted supply of high-grade compressed air for proper functioning, free from moisture to ensure high processing speed and long working life. Compressor and its lines should be regularly inspected to maintain this air source’s quality.
Maintaining accountability can easily become part of an ongoing maintenance routine. From software programs to daily/weekly sheets submitted directly to supervisors or any other system of accountabilty – ensure your employees are fulfilling their duties to keep your machine in peak working condition.
To properly clean a CNC plasma cutter’s electronics, first disconnect from power and open up the front of the machine. Use a brush to scrub around the opening of the blade housing. Next, take advantage of some canned air to spray at the back of the carriage to loosen any debris or buildup that may have collected there.
7. Change the Oil
Metal-cutting machines need lubricant in their moving parts in order to minimize friction, and regular maintenance checks on these lubricated parts is vital to their optimal condition and proper cutting materials being produced. Checking the levels of lubrication regularly should also be undertaken for best results.
Maintaining a clean machine will help ensure the slag drawer doesn’t jam shut, temperatures remain consistent, and gas is uncontaminated for use by your machine. Furthermore, keeping guide rails lubricated properly will allow them to run more smoothly and evenly than before.
If you are uncertain if your lubrication system is functioning, open back way covers and engage the lube pump. If oil doesn’t reach bearings, ball nuts or ways, there may be an issue with its delivery; this could cause cutting machine problems; however eWON for remote machine access allows technicians to easily diagnose and resolve such issues remotely.
8. Change the Filters
Change the air compressor filters regularly in a cutting machine to keep air clean, enhance performance and productivity, protect equipment from damage, extend its lifespan and extend service life.
Filter changes on cutter machines are simple and cost-effective; therefore, it is wise to do it on an ongoing basis or as soon as you notice issues with quality of cuts.
An ongoing maintenance schedule for cutting machines can reduce safety hazards, boost product quality, save money on repairs and maintenance, optimize production, minimize unanticipated downtime and help meet customer deadlines more reliably. Furthermore, routine inspection can uncover hidden problems like abrasions on the cutting surface as well as reduce downtime for maintenance work – offering additional savings through discounted service contracts.
9. Test the Machine
Testing your cutting machine on a regular basis is key to making sure it runs correctly, and before beginning each project you should run a series of tests to identify any potential issues and fix them before they become major issues.
Maintaining a clean workstation is also key, to ensuring the slag drawer doesn’t jam, temperatures remain consistent, and gas for your machine doesn’t become contaminated.
Make sure all of the tools required for maintaining and adjusting your cutting machine are easily accessible. Keep them stored on a shadow board or fitted foam lined drawers so they are always within easy reach, which will reduce misplacing or losing essential tools for projects. Similarly, ensure all manuals are handy so technicians can refer back to them as necessary.
