Weekly Maintenance

The following maintenance tasks should be performed weekly:

1.      Lubricate bearings and screws

CNC routers can use a combination of rack-and-pinion, ball screw, and lead screw devices to create motion.  Each of these requires regular lubrication, and end users should find out from their dealer how many of each of these devices are on the machine and where they are located.

On a standard machine configuration there are linear bearings that need to be lubricated once a week. This is very important!

2.      Clean vacuum pump filters

Vacuum pump filters should be checked and cleaned each week and replaced when necessary. Take great care when removing and cleaning the filters not to let any debris enter the vacuum pump inlet.

3.      Clean air filter in heat exchanger (if spindle is liquid-cooled)

The air filter on the heat exchanger should be cleaned with compressed air once a week and replaced as needed.

4.      Clean tool holders and collets

Tool holders, collets, and collet nuts must be rust-free and clean.  Use a mild scotch-bright pad to clean any rust.  Apply a very light oil to prevent oxidation, and then remove excess oil with a clean, soft rag.  Never use abundant oil or grease.  Typically these components need to be cleaned weekly, but frequency really depends on the amount of moisture in the air and how quickly rust develops.  Components should look like they are new at all times.

5.      Clean the spindle taper

Cleaning the spindle taper should be done once a week.  Wipe the taper very well with a green scotch bright pad, use compressed air to blow the taper out, and then wipe with a clean dry cloth.

6.      Wipe off excess grease

7.      Double check all connections