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
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
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.
Attributions
- Figure 10.1: Headstock sight glass by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- 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
- Figure 10.3: Apron sight glass by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.4: Ball oilers by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.5: Lubing ways by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.6: Lubing ways 2 by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.7: Clean workbench by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.8: Dirty lathe by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Video 10.1: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Video 10.2: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.9: Cleaning lathe by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.10: Cleaning chip tray by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
- Figure 10.11: Damaging air blast by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
A small circular window into a gearbox located at the correct oil level. This allows the operator to see the level of oil at a glance.
The precision metal surfaces that machine axes ride on.
A spring loaded ball, that when depressed, allows the tip of an oil can to to lube points of machine tools.