CNC machines are one of the most important types of machines all manufacturing companies need. While buying a CNC, people often struggle to choose between a new one or a used one. While buying a new one gives you modern features, old ones are more affordable. So if you are also planning to buy a used CNC machine for your business, you have landed in the right place. But here in this article, we will be writing about the top 7 red flags that you should avoid while you are buying a used CNC machine.
Top 7 red flags to watch out for before buying a used CNC machine –
Buying a used CNC machine is a decision that needs to be made only after doing proper research about it and knowing what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. So here are the top 7 things you should be aware of before buying a CNC machine –
- Not providing the maintenance record – This is the first red flag you should be aware of while buying a used CNC machine. Maintenance record is an important indicator of the current health of the machine. Just like cars or houses, CNC machines also need frequent servicing. If the seller says that they haven’t done any kind of maintenance of the machine then that is even a worse thing.
A machine that has no maintenance record may have several hidden problems. If the seller is unable to show you any kind of maintenance record then that creates an ambiguity about the condition of the machine, there can be some hidden problems with the machine but it is unable to detect those problems with normal inspection or a short trail run. So if you take a machine without proper data of servicing, it may start showing problems the next day and you’ll regret your decision. - Excessive wear and tear on key parts – wear and tear are a common thing in every machine, especially CNC machines but if there is excessive wear and tear on the key parts then you need to be worried about it. Different key components of the machine like the spindle, bearings, and coolant need to be in the right condition when you are buying it. If there is high wear and tear in the machine then that can lead to several problems including misalignment leading to inaccurate products, irregular surface finishing of the products, unexpected machine failures, decreased efficiency of work, and electrical hazards too. Conducting a physical inspection is very important when buying a used CNC machine. If you are not experienced and do not have enough knowledge about all these machines and parts then you should take a trusted technician with you for the inspection job. Also if you are buying from any particular platform then they will have their own agents who will help you go through the machine and check if there is any wear and tear. They can use machines like laser calibration equipment and dial indicators to properly inspect the precision of the machine.
- Outdated control systems – The control system of a CNC machine is one of the most important indicators of the performance of the total CNC machine. Though you can get an idea about the physical and material condition of the machine by just doing a normal inspection, the control system needs deep inspection, especially with the help of a test run. Every manufacturer regularly updates their software and brings on new features to help you out with the machining works, and if the control system of the machine you are planning to buy is not updated then you will lack support with new tooling techniques and machine crashes while handling modern files.
- No opportunity for a working demo under power – If you don’t get the opportunity to do a trial run then that’s another red flag you should be worried about. A test run is the only way through which you can understand what will be the performance of the machine under any pressure condition that is required for the machining of your business. You cannot get an idea about the mechanical condition and control system condition of the machine if you just do a physical inspection, you need to do a trial run for that.
There are a few things that you should keep in mind while having a trial run of your CNC machine –
- Can the machine work under your machining pressure?
- Is it making any abnormal noise during the whole machining process?
- Are the tool changes occurring smoothly?
- Is there any delay in axis movement?
- Is the operating system of the right speed and compatibility?
- Overheating problems – Overheating a CNC machine is a major disadvantage that you should avoid at any cost. CNC machines are meant to work for long hours with high tolerance especially if you are in large manufacturing businesses like aerospace or defense then you are surely going to need it. The overheating problems in CNC machines mostly happen due to clogged cooling channels and also worn-out lubrication systems.The problem with overheating is that it will force you to stop the machining process in the middle to avoid any major accident. Also overheating decreases the lifespan of the whole machine. It increases the downtime needed for major repairings, so you must check the coolant system is functioning correctly.
- Electrical and wiring issues – Electrical issues can be a real challenge for you after you buy a used CNC machine. It is also very tough to detect any issues with the wiring or electrical system of your machine by yourself because of the high electrical knowledge needed to understand it. But without a proper power supply to the machine, it is technically impossible for the machine to run and deliver the right products with proper accuracy.It also takes a lot of cost to repair the electrical system of the machine making it a financially bad decision for you. These problems also disrupt your production schedules so you should do a proper inspection of the electrical system of the CNC machine by taking an expert electrician with you or if any certificate is provided by the dealer, that works too
- Suspiciously low price – Everyone loves an affordable price tag on anything that they want to buy, the case is the same for CNC machines too. But if you see that a CNC machine is quite new, has no severe wear and tear, and still the seller is giving it at an extremely low price then you should be a bit worried about it. Too good to be true deals often have something hidden, the price of which you’ll have to pay later. To make sure you don’t step into such fake deals and get the best used CNC machine for yourself, you should choose MachineStation as your buying platform.
Conclusion
The seven red flags that we mentioned in the article need your proper attention to make sure that you don’t end up buying a machine that makes your business suffer you in any way. Buying a used CNC machine is obviously a financially sound move only if done with proper research and from the right platform.
