If you have purchased one of the many consumer-grade CNC mills available today, you know that they represent a substantial investment, and as such, you likely wish to make sure that your mill lasts as long as possible. Proper maintenance is essential in this endeavour; not only will it help your machine to last for decades, it is likewise necessary to ensure that your machine remains safe and reliable to use.
When using your CNC machine, you should make sure to:
Fill any lubrication reservoirs present with the correct oils prior to beginning work on any project. (If you are not sure which oils should be placed where, consult the user manual which came with your machine.)
If your machine has a coolant reservoir, coolant reserves should be verified prior to running the machine. Note that not all consumer-grade CNC mills come with a coolant system; if your model does not have one, you will need to devise an alternate solution, e.g. misting. If your machine does have a coolant reservoir, it will likely have a glass plate installed to allow for the easy viewing of coolant levels.
Make sure to periodically clean out the coolant tank and refill it in order to prevent the buildup of harmful substances.
Check the air pressure level prior to working on a project by viewing the regulator on the machine. Consult your manual to find out what the correct pressure level is for your model of CNC machine.
Always check the chip pan before running your machine; if it needs cleaning out, do so promptly (while the machine is shut off).
If you plan to work with metal, make sure that the automatic chip removal equipment on your machine is fully operational before you begin. If you are new to using CNC machines, avoid cutting metal (particularly harder metals like steel); it’s easy to damage your machine while working with metal if you lack experience.
Always thoroughly clean your machine after you use it. CNC mills may look durable, but they have many small, delicate moving parts which are easily broken by debris and mishandling. As such, you should always make sure to carefully clean your machine after you have cut any material, paying special attention to complete chip removal. (Note that you should never use your hands or fingers to remove chips, nor should you use compressed air; use the appropriate rakes and brushes instead. Once again, your user manual should be able to advise you on what to use.) Also, chips should not be allowed to build up in the guards around your machine, as they will invariably find their way out of these guards.
In addition to removing chips from your work-space as a whole, you should wipe down your machine with a damp rag and use coolant to wash the machine table.
Always tidy up your work-space after you’re done working. Debris and obstructions make both human injury and machine damage more likely.
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