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8.2 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. Lubricating and cleaning of the equipment must be performed daily by the operator. Lubricating components with way oilor greasing mechanisms are a couple of the maintenance tasks an operator must perform.

Lubrication

Lubing a drill press column with a can of way oil.
Figure 8.1. Lubing a drill press column with a can of way oil. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Applying grease to a zerk on the side of a drill press.
Figure 8.2. Applying grease to a zerk on the side of a drill press. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Depending on the style of drill press the machinist is using, there may be many grease zerks, oil cups, and oil reservoirs that need attention. The amount of attention spent on lubrication is directly related to the amount of use the machine sees. If the machine is used heavily, the operator may need to attend to lubrication points multiple times during the shift. Sometimes, once at the beginning of use is plenty. Some lubrication points are designed to only need servicing weekly, monthly, or yearly, based on use. The best way to get the proper lubrication information for a machine is to consult the maintenance section of the instruction manual for lubrication type, amount, and schedule.

Cleaning

Removing chips from a drill press table with a brush.
Figure 8.3. Removing chips from a drill press table with a brush. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Chips, a rag, and a spill on the floor around a drill press.
Figure 8.4. Chips, a rag, and a spill on the floor around a drill press. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Cleaning with a rag around the drill press column at the table connection.
Figure 8.5. Cleaning with a rag around the drill press column at the table connection. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0
Wiping oil from a drill press table with a rag.
Figure 8.6. Wiping oil from a drill press table with a rag. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Any operation performed in a machine shop requires a high level of cleanliness. Although a drill press is a basic machine, it still requires clean tools and work surfaces in order to hold tolerances and ensure safety. The table of the drill press should be kept free of grease, rust, burrs, and chips. Drill chucks and tooling should have chips and burrs removed. Vises, parallels, and clamps should be checked and cleaned frequently when machining multiple parts. At the end of a job, chips should be swept up, oil removed, and all tools returned to their storage area. The machine should look as clean or cleaner than before the operator started using it.

Attributions

  1. Figure 8.1: Lube column by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  2. Figure 8.2: Greasing drill press by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  3. Figure 8.3: Cleaning table by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  4. Figure 8.4: Dirty floor by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  5. Figure 8.5: Dirty column by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  6. Figure 8.6: Cleaning table 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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