Daily Machine Tool Maintenance Checklist: What to Inspect Daily/Weekly/Monthly? (With Printable Checklist)
The stable operation of machine tools relies on standardized daily maintenance — many faults (such as spindle overheating, precision deviation, and abnormal noise) are caused by long-term neglect of minor issues. However, many operators often do not know where to start with maintenance when facing the complex structure of machine tools. This article sorts out the core maintenance points for "daily/weekly/monthly" cycles and includes a directly usable checklist to help you easily implement maintenance work, extend the service life of machine tools, and reduce downtime due to faults.
Power Supply and Air Supply: Check if the main power switch of the machine tool and distribution box switches are normal, with no looseness or abnormal noise; verify if the air pressure is within the specified range (usually 0.5-0.8MPa) and that air pipes have no air leakage or damage.
Lubrication System: Check if the lubricating oil level in the oil tank is between the "minimum-maximum" scale (scale positions vary by machine tool model, refer to the manual). Ensure the lubrication pump has no alarms and the oil is clean without impurities (no emulsification or blackening).
Cooling System: Confirm if the coolant level in the coolant tank meets the standard, with no peculiar smell, excessive floating oil, or chip sediment; check if the cooling pump switch works normally and there are no water leakage traces.
Safety Protection: Inspect if the machine tool protective covers (such as guideway covers and spindle covers) are intact without damage or deformation; ensure emergency stop buttons and safety door locks function normally (the machine tool should power off immediately when the emergency stop is pressed).
Cleaning Work: Use compressed air (equipped with an oil-water separator) to blow off chips from guideways, worktables, and spindle taper holes, then wipe them clean with a cloth to prevent component scratches caused by residual chips.
Component Reset: Move the spindle to the "safe position" (usually the middle of the machine tool stroke), reset the worktable after cleaning; return tools to the tool magazine to avoid spindle deformation due to long-term overhang.
Power Shutdown: Turn off the machine tool in the correct sequence (first turn off the operation panel power, then the main power), close the main air supply valve, and ensure no debris accumulates around the machine tool.
Guideways and Ball Screws: Check if guideway covers have damage; repair cracks promptly (to prevent chip entry). Touch the guideway surface by hand to confirm uniform lubrication (no dry areas). If local oil shortage occurs, manually add grease (use the type specified in the machine tool manual).
Spindle Components: Inspect if the seals (dust covers, oil seals) at the front of the spindle are intact, with no oil leakage or seepage; manually rotate the spindle (in a power-off state) to ensure no jamming or abnormal noise. If abnormalities are found, contact maintenance personnel to inspect the bearings.
Tool Magazine and Tool Changer: Check if tool holders in the tool magazine are loose and if tools are clamped firmly (gently pull the tool, no obvious shaking). Observe the movement trajectory of the tool change robot for no deviation or jamming. If tool change speed slows down, check the robot’s lubrication condition.
Hydraulic System (if equipped on the machine tool): Check the hydraulic oil level in the tank and ensure the oil is clean (no turbidity or bubbles); inspect hydraulic pipeline joints for no leakage and confirm the hydraulic gauge pressure is stable within the specified range (refer to machine tool parameters).
Electrical System: Open the distribution box door and check that terminal blocks have no looseness or oxidation (if oxidation marks are present, gently polish with sandpaper); ensure cooling fans have no dust blockage to maintain normal heat dissipation in the distribution box (prevent overheating of electrical components).
Precision Testing:
Check the worktable flatness with a dial indicator (fix the dial indicator on the spindle, move along the X/Y axis of the worktable, and record reading deviations). If deviations exceed 0.02mm/1000mm, contact professionals for calibration.
Inspect spindle radial runout (place the dial indicator probe against the front end of the spindle, manually rotate the spindle). The reading deviation should be ≤0.005mm. If it exceeds the limit, check the spindle bearing wear.
In-Depth Maintenance of Lubrication and Cooling Systems:
Replace the lubricating oil filter element (if equipped on the machine tool) and clean impurities at the bottom of the lubricating oil tank (use oil-absorbing cotton to remove sediment).
Check the coolant concentration (measured with a refractometer, usually 5%-10%). If the concentration is too low, add coolant concentrate; clean sediment at the bottom of the coolant tank (open the drain valve to discharge part of the waste liquid, then add new coolant).
CNC System and Data:
Back up parameters and machining programs in the CNC system (store on a dedicated USB drive and back up on a computer simultaneously) to prevent data loss.
Check system alarm records. If there are unprocessed "soft alarms" (such as parameter abnormalities or program errors), promptly identify the cause and clear them.
Comprehensive Inspection of Safety Devices:
Test the safety door lock function (the machine tool should stop moving immediately when the protective cover is opened) and confirm that all axes lock immediately when the emergency stop button is pressed.
Check if warning lights and buzzers work normally (accurate alarm in case of faults) to ensure no failure of safety devices.
Regular Execution: Do not skip maintenance due to busy production. While it may seem to save time in the short term, it can lead to greater losses due to fault downtime in the long run;
Standardized Operation: Strictly follow the machine tool manual to add lubricating oil and coolant. Avoid using the wrong type, which may cause component damage;
Proper Documentation: Record maintenance through the checklist. If faults occur later, the cause can be traced quickly (e.g., for spindle abnormalities, check previous seal inspection records).