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How Long Do CNC Machines Last

CNC machines are among the most important components of manufacturing plants. They undergo a lot of machining work daily, which is why they often show some wear and tear and other technical problems. However, these machines are still pretty reliable and long-lasting.

The age of a CNC machine is generally between 10 and 20 years. But sometimes, the machines run even for longer years if you take proper care of them and do regular servicing. Also, several factors determine the lifespan of a CNC machine, like the brand of the machine, frequency, and intensity of machine usage, and regular maintenance and upgrade of the control system.

Key factors that determine the life span of a CNC machine

Here is a list of some of the main factors that can affect the life span of your CNC machine –

Usage Intensity – How frequently and intensely you use your CNC machine is one of the major factors that determine the health and lifespan of your CNC machine. If you are running the machine 24*7 With high loads then it is difficult for the machine to last very long.
Operator skill – This is an ignored factor that also plays a significant role in determining the life span of the machine. Experienced operators know how to run a machine within its capabilities and not push it above its limits. On the other hand, if the operator is new then they might use the machine beyond its rated specs causing more wear and tear to the machine.
Maintenance – Regular maintenance is very crucial in making sure that the CNC machine continues to last long. CNC machines have several components like spindles, coolants, chuck, etc and all of them need regular maintenance to provide optimal performance for a long period of time. The maintenance includes several things like lubrication, cleaning, replacing filters or alignment checking.
Build quality – This is not something that you can control by yourself. However, the initial build quality of your CNC machine also determines how long the machine will run. Though some well-known brands are known for making robust machines that can pass the test of time, you still should inspect a machine before buying it in the first place.

Symptoms that your machine has had wear and needs to be replaced

Now, if you are already a CNC owner and confused about whether you need to replace your current machine then here are symptoms which if available with your machine, then you’re thinking it right –

Decreased accuracy – This is one of the most prominent symptoms that your CNC machine needs to be replaced. Precision and accuracy are very important for CNC machine users especially if they are in the big machinery industries like defense and aerospace. If you see there is misalignment and your manufacturing is lacking perfection for that, then you will have to replace your CNC machine.
Frequent breakdowns – The next symptom that your CNC machine is not in the right condition is that it is facing frequent breakdowns. If your machining works are failing every now and then and you need frequent repairs of the parts of the machine then it may be the right time to replace the machine and get a new one. Frequent failures of your machine will lead to disrupted operations and increase your lead time.
Unusual noises – CNC machines are often used for heavy machining purposes for several industries like automobile, aerospace, and defense, and most of the strong machines are capable of handling those operations. Now, if your CNC is making some unusual noises while working then you should be aware of it and try to find a solution. This often happens due to excessive usage leading to wear and tear and misalignment, for which you will finally have to replace it.
Spindle problems – Spindle can be classified as the single most important part of a CNC machine. If the spindle starts showing any kind of problem then that will lead to failure of the entire machine and its works. So when there is wear and tear in the spindle and it’s not working right then you should start thinking about replacing it.
Control system failure – Control system failure mainly happens for two reasons – not upgrading the software from time to time, or just because of rough use of it. Different problems can happen with it like skin glitches, communication issues, or software crashes.
Extreme heating – Last but not least, extreme cooling is one of the most dangerous symptoms that your machine shows when it needs to be replaced. If the machine is getting overheated then you really need to find a solution very fast otherwise it may lead to a major accident in your plant.

Conclusion:

CNC machines have a great and long-lasting life in general when taken proper care of, and can be a great return on your investment. But if proper maintenance is not done and the machine is used roughly then the machine may develop wear and tear which will further destroy the whole productivity of the machine.