Page 29 - MetalForming December 2017

sprockets and guides—must be checked a minimum of twice yearly, it is best to perform the following regularly:
• Check all bolts and screws for tightness, and if any are loose, check their condition; if they are stretched, replace them.
• Calibrate or realign backgauge and stops.
• Maintain proper clearance between ram gibs according to manufacturer specifications.
Inspect Electrical Equipment
Maintaining your machine’s elec- trical components requires that you annually check the following:
• Connections on motor terminal strips, relays and terminal boxes;
• Printed circuit boards for physical damage;
• Voltages coming from power sup- plies and transformers;
• Cables and switches for damage or malfunction;
• Fans for operation; and
• Operation of all machine functions and safety features.
Maintain Tooling
Perform a visual inspection of tool- ing before each use in order to keep it clean and free from mill scale. Cracked or damaged tooling must be returned to the tooling manufacturer for recon- ditioning or replacement.
Keep It Clean
Keep your press brake wiped down and clean. Dust and dirt are your machine’s enemies. So, too, is rust. Your machine should have a rust protectant applied to surfaces prone to rusting. Keep the backgauge clean, remove and clean cooling fans and vent filters monthly, keep electrical cabinets closed (except when accessing for safe- ty or cleaning); keep the hydraulic- pump motor clean of dust and dirt; and clean safety lasers daily with a non-abrasive cloth to avoid buildup and scratches. A junk-free press-brake area will help to keep dirt and dust away from the equipment, while
improving worker safety and productivity.
When in Doubt, Reboot
If you can’t figure out a problem with your CNC press brake, shut off the machine for 30 sec. to drain power from the circuits, then restart. Do this before calling for repair. Other simple troubleshooting measures:
• If the press brake isn’t running
using a new program, try running it with an old program. If it works, an issue may have been created with the new program.
• If there’s a problem with the screen before recalibrating, be sure it’s clean—the natural oil we have on our fingers, plus dirty hands from loading a press brake, can affect the control’s performance. MF

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