Why a check-up is needed Inside the metal enclosure of every Swiss-type lathe lies a delicate “nervous system”: main power, servo drives, I/O boards, sensors, cables and grounding networks. A single loose wire or oxidized contact can act like a “nerve-signal interruption,” causing mysterious alarms or gradual loss of accuracy. Regular electrical inspections spot problems before they blossom into scrap batches or sudden shutdowns.
What to inspect • Power and distribution – Verify the three-phase supply is balanced and cables show no discoloration or burning smells. – Ensure breakers and fuses are correctly rated to prevent undersized protection.
• Servo drives and motors – Observe whether cooling fans spin freely and heat sinks remain free of dust. – Check encoder feedback shielding to avoid ghost drift or vibration.
• Signals and sensors – Confirm that proximity, pressure and temperature sensors are firmly connected and their indicators respond promptly. – Pay special attention to cables inside drag chains, where repeated flexing can lead to conductor fatigue.
• Grounding and safety – Verify that PE conductors, shield drains and machine frames share a reliable zero potential, preventing electrostatic or induced-current interference. – Test the emergency-stop circuit: one press must halt all motion, with quick button rebound and no sticking.
• Software and parameters – Back up PLC, CNC and servo parameters to guard against accidental changes or battery failures.
– Review alarm histories to uncover repetitive faults rooted in electrical issues.
How to inspect • Visual and manual: look, smell and feel for discoloration or looseness. • Multimeter / insulation tester: confirm continuity and dielectric integrity. • Thermal camera: capture heat maps of drives and contactors to reveal overheated points. • Vibration probe: listen for abnormal motor or fan noise, indicating bearing wear. • Built-in diagnostics: run the CNC’s self-test to scan I/O status and servo load patterns.
Inspection cycle and records
Include “electrical health checks” in the annual maintenance plan. Record any findings, corrective actions and next review dates to maintain a traceable health file.
In short, treat electrical health checks as an “annual physical” for your lathe. When every wire and circuit board remains in peak “neural condition,” the machine delivers stable, precise performance year after year.
