| 1. Pre-operation inspection |
Unexpected machine movement; damaged guards; damaged tooling; electrical hazards; clutter |
Only trained operators may use the machine. Inspect machine, enclosure, guards, E-stop, tooling, workholding and controls before operation. Keep work area clean and well lit. Never operate with damaged or defeated guards/interlocks. |
| 2. Verify PPE and clothing |
Loose clothing, jewelry, gloves, long hair |
Remove jewelry and loose clothing. Secure long hair. Do not wear gloves while spindle or machine is operating. Wear safety glasses and appropriate footwear. |
| 3. Inspect and prepare raw material |
Sharp edges, heavy stock, burrs |
Inspect stock before handling. Deburr when practical. Use appropriate material-handling techniques. Use gloves when handling stock while the machine is stopped. |
| 4. Install workholding device |
Pinch points; improperly secured vise/fixture; dropped components |
Secure vise/fixture properly. Verify mounting hardware is tight. Keep fingers clear of pinch points. Ensure clamps will not interfere with tool travel. |
| 5. Load workpiece |
Sharp edges; pinch points; improper clamping |
Position workpiece securely. Verify adequate clamping before operation. Ensure workpiece and clamps are within the machine’s allowable envelope. Tormach specifically requires appropriate workholding and verification that the workpiece is adequately secured. |
| 6. Install tooling |
Sharp cutting edges; dropped tools; improper tool installation; unbalanced tooling |
Stop spindle and machine motion before changing tooling. Inspect tools and holders for damage. Use the correct tool and holder for the operation. Never use damaged or unbalanced tooling. |
| 7. Set tool offsets / work coordinates |
Unexpected axis movement; spindle activation; collision |
Maintain awareness of machine envelope. Keep hands clear of moving components. Verify offsets carefully before running the program. Use appropriate setup procedures and machine controls. |
| 8. Load or create CNC program |
Programming error; incorrect tool path; excessive feed/speed |
Verify program before execution. Confirm tool numbers, offsets, spindle speed, feed rate and work coordinates. For an unproven program, use reduced feed/speed overrides, single block, feed hold and other available control features. |
| 9. Close enclosure / verify guarding |
Exposure to rotating spindle and moving axes |
Close enclosure before machining. Never bypass, defeat or modify safety interlocks. Never reach around or through guarding. |
| 10. Start machine / initiate cycle |
Unexpected movement; incorrect program; improperly secured workpiece/tool |
Confirm personnel are clear. Verify E-stop accessibility. Start cycle using established procedures. Be prepared to stop the machine immediately if abnormal conditions occur. |
| 11. Monitor machining operation |
Tool failure; workpiece movement; flying chips; coolant; unexpected machine movement |
Keep enclosure closed. Do not leave machine unattended while operating. Monitor for abnormal vibration, noise, tool failure, coolant problems or workpiece movement. Tormach states that the machine should not be left running unattended. |
| 12. Chip removal during operation |
Sharp/flying chips; rotating tooling |
Never use hands to remove chips. Do not reach into the machining envelope. Use a chip brush, scraper or other appropriate tool only after the machine has stopped. Tormach specifically requires use of a chip scraper or brush for chip removal. |
| 13. Coolant use |
Skin/eye exposure; slippery floor; coolant mist; contamination |
Avoid unnecessary skin contact. Use appropriate gloves for coolant maintenance. Clean spills promptly. Maintain coolant according to manufacturer instructions. Do not use prohibited/flammable liquids in the coolant system. |
| 14. Stop machine / unload finished part |
Residual movement; sharp workpiece; hot material |
Stop spindle and machine motion before opening enclosure. Allow tooling/workpiece to stop completely. Use appropriate gloves when handling sharp parts after the machine is stopped. |
| 15. Remove chips and clean machine |
Sharp chips; compressed air; slips; chemical exposure |
Use a brush/scraper or approved chip-removal method. Do not place hands into the machine. Follow facility requirements regarding compressed air. Wear appropriate PPE for coolant and chip handling. |
| 16. Inspect finished part |
Sharp edges/burrs; hot parts |
Handle parts carefully. Deburr using an approved process. Wear appropriate PPE. |
| 17. End-of-shift shutdown |
Unexpected activation; residual energy |
Complete shutdown according to Tormach procedures. Turn machine off when not in use. Leave machine and surrounding area clean. |
| 18. Maintenance / troubleshooting |
Unexpected startup; electrical energy; pneumatic energy; stored energy; sharp chips |
Only qualified personnel perform maintenance. Power down and disconnect energy sources. Apply facility LOTO procedures when required. Tormach specifically requires LOTO of the Main Disconnect when servicing and warns that electrical components can retain dangerous voltage after power is removed. |