Handy Checklist for CNC Machine Installation

There are some common mistakes people make when buying a new CNC machine that we see all too often. Sometimes they skip important steps in space planning that can really come back and bite them when installation day arrives. All of this can easily be avoided if you contact your distributor and request a 2D drawing so you can plan your installation correctly. Here I’ll share a handy checklist you can use whenever you’re bringing a new Okuma CNC machine into your shop.

1. Check Electrical Requirements: Find out how much current your new CNC machine will draw so you can prepare your electrical for it. You also need to look at the placement of your electrical source and make sure this can be accessed in the location of your new machine tool. These preparations need to be handled by your electrician, but we can provide the KVA rating they’ll need to determine how the make the connection.
2. Purchase Oils and Coolant: Look at the particular types of lubricating oil, hydraulic oil and coolant your machine will need. Make sure you purchase these items ahead of time so you can get your machine up and running on installation day. If you don’t use the specific grade of coolant specified for your machine tool you can damage it.
3. Pre-Plan Your Space Layout: Contact your distributor to obtain a 2D drawing of the space layout for your particular machine. (Shown above is a layout for a GENOS M560-V.) By following the specifications in this schematic you’ll avoid layout catastrophes in the future. One example is door clearance. Let’s say you placed your machine far enough away from the wall that people can walk around it, and then it’s bolted to the ground. Down the road when the time comes for maintenance, the door swings out and hits the wall! Different machines need different amounts of clearance. Using one of our installation drawings will help you plan your space appropriately and avoid these kinds of nightmares.
4. Check Your Air Source: Air needs to have very little moisture to prevent rusting on the inside of the machine. We’ve seen it happen where there is no dehumidifier on the air compressor. Make sure you’re managing moisture because rust can accumulate rapidly and cause all kinds of expensive problems with your CNC machine.
5. Floor Preparation: Machine tools are quite heavy. If your concrete is too thin, or perhaps the machine is not on one solid slab, this can cause issues with the machine cutting correctly. Make sure you talk with your distributor about what type of foundation is required.
6. Measure Your Entry Door: I’ve heard stories about “surprises” that can happen if you don’t check the clearance on the entry door to your shop. Sometimes the CNC machine arrives and doesn’t fit through, and the wall next to the door needs to be cut open and then welded back in after the machine is brought in. Another expensive headache!

After your machine is set up safely in your shop, make sure you follow a plan for general maintenance. Look at your manual and perform required procedures on a daily, weekly and monthly schedule. My colleague Robbie Williams provides some great tips in his blog post Handy Checklist for Preventative Maintenance.

Brian Kateley is Applications Engineer, Okuma America Corporation.

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