If you're about to begin a new job that will have you operating CNC machines, you'll need to be prepared for the responsibility. The one thing you need to know about your CNC machine is that, like any piece of equipment, it's going to need a good warm-up. However, it's not good enough that you warm it up, and forget about it. For your CNC machine to work properly, and not leave you out in the cold, you've got to think of warm-ups as a constant need. Here are four times when your machine will need a good warm-up.

At the Start of Each Shift

When you begin your shift, the most important thing you can do is give your machine the chance to thoroughly warm up. It's during the warm-up when the oil and other lubricating fluids get heated to the proper temperature. Those lubricating fluids have gotten cold, thick, and sticky during the night. If you try to start right off with a cold engine, the oil is going to get stuck inside the machine, and you're going to be facing some serious problems. To prevent those problems, always warm you CNC machine up at the start of each shift.

After a Long Break

If you find that you'll be rotating between different machinery and duties throughout the workday, you'll need to treat each new restart like the beginning of your shift, especially if you'll be away from your CNC machine for several hours. Giving your machine a few minutes to warm up after each lengthy break throughout the day will ensure that the oil has a chance to heat up again.

When You're Working in a Frigid Environment

If you're going to be working in a frigid environment, even a short break can damage your machine. To keep your machine working properly under frigid conditions, you'll need to resort to system warm-up more often. Each time you take a short break, even if it's just to use the bathroom, let your machine warm up again once you return.

If a Tight Tolerance is Required

If you're going to be working on a project that requires adherence to a tight temperature tolerance, you should put your machine on warm-up mode whenever you walk away. This will ensure that your machine never has the opportunity to cool down. Allowing your CNC machine to cool down when working under tight tolerance conditions, could undermine the structural integrity of the project. Also, make sure you have enough coolant for your CNC machine.