5 Reasons It Pays to Keep Clean

Through the past several decades the modern machine shop has evolved by leaps and bounds. Over time one thing has always remained true: cleanliness is a key factor in supporting productive CNC machining. The appearance, safety, and efficiency of the work area, plus cost savings that go along with a clean shop and machine tool could be the difference between landing a big job or gaining a potential customer, or saving money when service is needed. Here are 5 reasons why keeping it clean puts more money in your pocket.

1. Impresses Your Customers
   The appearance of the machine tool and area around it gives the impression to potential and existing customers that you value your equipment. This impression translates to you becoming a desired business partner, and one who attracts revenue.
   
   
2. Prevents Costly Accidents
   Safety is a major concern in today’s machine shop. Clutter, meaning stock material, finished goods, fixtures, tooling and the like around a machine tool, can be unsafe and pose trip hazards. Chips and fine particulates on the floor around the machine can create a slip hazard as well. Chances of accidents go down when the area stays clean and orderly.
   
   
3. Reduces Service Call Costs
   In the unfortunate event your machine tool needs service work performed, it’s best for the area and the machine itself to be cleaned and ready for the service technician. This can save time, which in turn saves money. A service tech spending time cleaning, moving material, fixtures and tooling only adds to the cost of the service call.
   
   
4. Increases Efficiency
   Efficiency and flow of the work area is also a part of keeping it clean. Imagine the work area and benches cluttered with tools, parts and fixtures etc., as opposed to a neat orderly work area. If everything has its own location, everyone associated with the area will know exactly where all items pertaining to the job/machine are located. This will also save time and precious revenue when the pace is fast and unpredictable.
   
   
5. Prevents Machine Tool Failures
   Keeping the machine tool itself clean is another factor, because a clean machine tool makes for happy operators and owners. The most common cause of premature machine failures is lack of proper cleaning and maintenance of your machine tool. Preventative maintenance should be performed at regular intervals because this not only replaces consumable parts, it’s also a time to check and clean key components to ensure your machine can give you it’s best.

Thanks to Sonny Billings (Field Service Technician, Okuma America) for providing this Service Tip.