CNC Engineers Reveal the Top Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Every Tekcel CNC router tells a story of precision, performance and the people who keep it running perfectly. Our engineers see it all: from spotless, well-maintained machines to routers crying out for a clean and recalibration. Here’s what a day in the life of a CNC engineer looks like, and the simple lessons that keep your Tekcel cutting clean, fast and true.

The Most Common Fault: Neglecting Cleanliness

Ask any CNC engineer and they will tell you the same thing: cleanliness is king. One of the most frequent issues they encounter is poor maintenance of key mechanical components. Leadscrews, linear rails, ballnuts and bearings often accumulate swarf if they are not cleaned regularly. Left unchecked, this build-up can cause significant wear and tear on your machine.

Another common mistake is over-greasing or under-greasing ballnuts and bearings. Both extremes can reduce performance and shorten component life. Regular, measured maintenance is essential to keeping your Tekcel router running smoothly.

Calibration Headaches: The Y Axis Gantry

Calibrating the Y Axis gantry is a task CNC engineers know all too well. This part of the machine can easily be knocked out of square due to material overhanging the bed, cutting depths set too deep in thick materials or using the wrong tooling for the material.

When the Y Axis gantry is even slightly out of alignment, precision suffers. The good news is that in most cases you can re-square the gantry yourself with our guidance, no engineer visit required.

Engineer’s Quick Fix: Re-Squaring the Y Axis

Re-squaring the Y Axis gantry is one of the simplest yet most impactful fixes a CNC engineer can guide you through. Addressing this issue promptly avoids unnecessary downtime and restores your Tekcel router to peak performance.

The Professional Edge: Products That Make a Difference

CNC engineers know that achieving a professional finish is not only about operator skill. It is about using the right tools, keeping components clean and maintaining the machine properly. Here are a few proven products and practices that make all the difference.

Tooling for Specific Materials

Using the wrong cutter for the job leads to poor finishes and wasted material. We offer a wide range of precision tooling designed for specific applications. For example, the PK30 Single Flute Premium Grade is ideal for acrylics, while the DCT Twin Flute Coated range delivers superb results in aluminium and ACM. Choosing the right cutter for the material ensures a professional-grade result every time.

Flat Sacrificial Beds

Your Tekcel router’s vacuum bed works best when it is perfectly flat. MDF sacrificial beds are commonly used, but they require occasional skimming to stay level. A flat bed improves vacuum hold-down, keeping materials secure throughout the cut and ensuring consistent accuracy.

Clean Dust Extraction Filters

Dust extraction systems are vital for airflow and material hold-down. Dirty or clogged filters reduce suction and compromise performance. Replace dust extraction filters every six months to maintain consistent vacuum efficiency and cleaner cuts.

Lessons from a Day on the Job

For CNC engineers, every day is a mix of troubleshooting, maintenance and customer education. Their advice is simple. Stay proactive with cleaning and maintenance. Address small issues like gantry alignment before they escalate. Use the correct tooling for the material and monitor your machine’s performance regularly.

By following these principles, you keep your Tekcel CNC router producing the accuracy, speed and finish it was built for.

Need Support from the Experts

If your Tekcel CNC router needs some attention, our engineers are ready to help. Contact Us for expert advice on maintenance, calibration and tooling to keep your machine performing at its best.