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10.2 Machine Maintenance

Micky R. Jennings

Machine maintenance is a term for the periodic upkeep of a piece of equipment. Most machines have a section in the operator’s manual that covers the scheduled maintenance for that particular machine. A couple of things that must be done daily on most machines are lubricating and cleaning the equipment.

Lubrication

Headstock sight glass with oil just over the level line.
Figure 10.1. Headstock sight glass with oil just over the level line. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Quick change gearbox sight glass with oil just under the level line.
Figure 10.2. Quick change gearbox sight glass with oil just under the level line. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Apron sight glass with oil on the level line.
Figure 10.3. Apron sight glass with oil on the level line. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Oil can injecting oil into ball oilers on lathe cross slide.
Figure 10.4. Oil can nozzle positioned to inject oil into ball oilers on lathe cross slide. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
An oil can lubricating a carriage vee way on the bed of a manual lathe.
Figure 10.5. An oil can nozzle lubricating a carriage vee way on the bed of a manual lathe. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
An oil can lubricating a tailstock flat way on the bed of a manual lathe.
Figure 10.6. An oil can nozzle lubricating a tailstock flat way on the bed of a manual lathe. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

At the beginning of each use, the lathe should be inspected and properly lubricated. The headstock, quick change gearbox, and apron all have sight glasses that need to be checked before each use. If they are found to be low, the appropriate oil should be added to bring them up to the acceptable level. The machine operator’s manual will have specific information about the oil for each part. The waysand other points of contact need lubrication before and during use. These lubrication points are often in the form of oil cups or ball oilers. In addition, the ways for the carriage and tailstock may also need oil applied directly to their surfaces. The correct oil for each machine and application can be found in the operator’s manual.

Cleaning

A clean lathe workbench with tools organized.
Figure 10.7. A clean lathe workbench with tools organized. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
A dirty lathe with chips all over the bed, cross slide and compound rest.
Figure 10.8. A dirty lathe with chips all over the bed, cross slide and compound rest. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Cleaning built up residue from lathe carriage.
Figure 10.9. Cleaning built up residue from lathe carriage. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Cleaning the chips from a chip tray with a small dustpan.
Figure 10.10. Cleaning the chips from a chip tray with a small dustpan. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

General machine cleaning should be performed at the end of each use, or in the event of heavy machining operations, whenever the amount of chips becomes dangerous to the machine or the user. Cleaning a lathe is best performed from top to bottom with a brush. Gently sweep all chips downward into the chip pan below, then clean out the chip pan. After all chips are removed, the machine should have all the oil removed from the ways of the machine and have the carriage and tailstock parked on the right side. If the oil isn’t removed, over time it will build up, dry, and create a coating that is difficult to remove and will cause compromised operation and decreased accuracy. Compressed air should never be used to clean a lathe. Compressed air can blow chips and debris under seals and into the precision mating areas of the machine, damaging them and ruining the machine’s accuracy.

A hand points an air gun towards the ways on a lathe in an inappropriate attempt to clean it. Air blasts can blow chips and debris into unwanted areas.
Figure 10.11. A hand points an air gun towards the ways on a lathe in an inappropriate attempt to clean it. Air blasts can blow chips and debris into unwanted areas. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Attributions

  1. Figure 10.1: Headstock sight glass by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  2. Figure 10.2: Quick change gearbox sight glass by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  3. Figure 10.3: Apron sight glass by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  4. Figure 10.4: Ball oilers by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  5. Figure 10.5: Lubing ways by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  6. Figure 10.6: Lubing ways 2 by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  7. Figure 10.7: Clean workbench by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  8. Figure 10.8: Dirty lathe by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  9. Video 10.1: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  10. Video 10.2: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  11. Figure 10.9: Cleaning lathe by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  12. Figure 10.10: Cleaning chip tray by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  13. Figure 10.11: Damaging air blast by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
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Introduction to Machining Copyright © by SBCTC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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