4-axis CNC milling machine maintenance guide

Four-axis CNC Milling Machine (4-Axis CNC Milling Machine) is widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, mold processing, and other industries. It has obvious advantages in improving machining accuracy, production efficiency, and ability to process complex parts. However, to maintain the equipment for a long-term and stable operation and extend its service life, correct maintenance is crucial. This article will introduce the maintenance guide for 4-axis CNC milling machines in detail from the aspects of daily maintenance, regular inspections, troubleshooting, and optimized use.

1. Daily maintenance of 4-axis CNC milling machine

The daily maintenance of CNC milling machines is the basis for the stable operation of the equipment. Good use habits can effectively reduce the incidence of failure and improve machining accuracy.

1.1 Machine tool cleaning

After each processing, the metal chips and coolant residues around the workbench, guide rails, spindles, and tools must be cleaned to prevent debris from affecting the equipment’s accuracy.

Use a special air gun or soft cloth to clean the tool magazine and spindle to avoid chip accumulation and causing unsmooth tool replacement.

Clean the control panel and display regularly to avoid dust or oil pollution affecting operation.

1.2 Lubrication system maintenance

Ensure that the lubrication of moving parts such as guide rails, lead screws, spindle bearings, etc. is good, and avoid abnormal wear caused by dry friction.

Use lubricating oil suitable for the machine tool and refuel or replace it according to the lubrication cycle recommended by the manufacturer.

Regularly check whether the automatic lubrication system is working normally and whether the oil circuit is blocked.

1.3 Cooling system inspection

The concentration and cleanliness of the coolant directly affect the cutting effect and tool life. The coolant state should be checked regularly and replaced in time.

Check whether the cooling pump and nozzle are blocked to ensure a smooth supply of coolant.

Clean impurities in the sink in time to prevent sediment from affecting the cooling liquid circulation.

1.4 Electrical system maintenance

Regularly check the wiring connection of the electrical control cabinet to ensure that the wiring is firm and there is no loosening or aging.

Clean the dust inside the electric control cabinet to prevent short circuits or poor contact.

Detect the heat dissipation of the motor and the drive system to prevent overheating from damaging the motor.

2. Regular inspection and maintenance plan

In order to ensure the long-term and stable operation of the four-axis CNC milling machine, it is recommended to establish a detailed maintenance plan, including weekly, monthly, and quarterly inspection content.

2.1 Weekly inspection (basic maintenance)

Check whether the spindle is running normally and whether there is any abnormal vibration or noise.

Check whether the tool change operation of the tool magazine is smooth and whether there are any jammed tools.

Ensure that all emergency stop buttons, safety door switches, and other safety devices work properly.

2.2 Monthly inspection (in-depth maintenance)

Test the machine tool accuracy, check for error deviations, and perform calibration.

Observe whether the lead screws and guide rails have signs of wear. If there are any abnormalities, adjust or replace them in time.

Check whether the coolant and lubricant oil have reached the replacement cycle to ensure that the oil quality meets the requirements.

2.3 Quarterly inspection (comprehensive inspection)

Fasten the equipment as a whole and check whether all bolts and connectors are loose.

Vibration analysis of the spindle is performed to ensure smooth rotation without abnormalities.

Check whether the motor and cable are aging to avoid shutdown due to electrical faults.

3. Common faults and troubleshooting methods

During the operation of CNC milling machines, some common faults may be encountered. Timely identification and effective measures can reduce downtime and improve production efficiency.

3.1 Machine tool accuracy decreases

Possible reasons:

Screw or rail wear

Tool wear or improper installation

Effects of vibration of machine tool basics

Solution:

Adjust the clearance of the lead screw and rail, and replace the worn parts if necessary.

Choose high-quality tools and regularly check the tool wear.

Ensure the machine tool installation position is stable and avoid external vibration interference.

3.2 The tool has a short life and is prone to damage

Possible reasons:

Unreasonable tool parameters

Insufficient coolant supply

Inadequate rigidity of the machine tool leads to abnormal tool stress

Solution:

Adjust the cutting parameters appropriately, such as feed speed, rotation speed, cutting depth, etc.

Check the coolant nozzle regularly to ensure the tool is fully cooled.

Use high-quality tool holders and fixtures to reduce tool vibration.

3.3 An abnormal alarm occurs during the operation of the machine tool

Possible reasons:

Servo motor overload

Sensor failure

Mechanical limit switch trigger

Solution:

Check load conditions, reduce feed speed, or optimize machining paths.

Check whether the sensor is damaged one by one and replace it if necessary.

Ensure that the mechanical limit switch is in a normal position and is incorrectly touched.

4. How to extend the life of 4-axis CNC milling machines?

In addition to daily maintenance and troubleshooting, reasonable usage methods can also effectively extend the service life of the machine tool and improve processing efficiency.

4.1 Adopt a scientific tool management system

Record the number of times each tool is used and arrange the replacement cycle reasonably.

Choose the right tool material according to different materials to avoid unnecessary losses.

4.2 Regular calibration of machine tool accuracy

Use a laser interferometer or dial gauge to perform regular accuracy inspection of the machine tool to ensure that the processing accuracy meets the requirements.

4.3 Standardize operation procedures and reduce errors

Operators should undergo professional training to avoid damage to equipment due to misoperation.

Perform strictly in accordance with processing process parameters to avoid overload use.

4.4 Select the appropriate processing materials and cutting parameters

Excessively hard materials will accelerate tool loss, and the cutting depth and feed speed should be adjusted according to the material hardness.

Use efficient machining strategies such as high-feed milling and layered cutting to improve machining efficiency and reduce load.

The maintenance of a four-axis CNC milling machine is not just simple cleaning and refueling, but a comprehensive work involving various systems of the machine tool. Reasonable daily maintenance, regular inspections, effective fault handling, and optimized usage methods can greatly improve the stability and processing accuracy of the equipment, extend the service life, and thus improve overall production efficiency. I hope this guide can help CNC machine tool users better maintain and optimize equipment in daily production and achieve higher economic benefits.