LibGuides: CNC Milling at the Hunterdon County Library: Safety when CNC Milling

Safety when CNC Milling

Please read the below carefully. The library will supply safety glasses and hearing protection for those using and around the CNC milling machine.

The below is provided on the Bantam website as a Safety Overview:

Work Area Safety

Make sure to use your mill on a dry, flat, and stable surface.
Work in a clean and well-lit area.
Keep a vacuum nearby for chip cleanup.

Personal Safety

Always wear protective eyewear when operating or in proximity to the CNC machine. We also recommend wearing protective eyewear when cleaning the machine.
Hearing protection is advised if you'll be in proximity to the CNC machine while it's milling.
Do not allow children to operate without close adult supervision.
Do not leave the CNC machine unattended while in use.
Prior to operation, make sure the collet and tool are secure and remove the wrenches and other tools from inside the CNC machine.
Do not use the CNC machine if the safety door and/or windows are cracked.
Do not mill materials that are not supported.

Sharp Element

Do not touch the sharp tips of end mills, even when the milling machine is not in operation, as they may cause injury.

Pinch Hazard

Do not touch or place hands near moving parts—such as the carriages, rails, frame, spindle, and pulleys—while the milling machine is in operation.

Rotating Parts

When using the CNC machine, tie back long hair and avoid clothing or jewelry that may get caught.

Unplug When Not in Use

Disconnect the main power plug from the outlet and store the milling machine when not in use.

Electrical Safety

Make sure to turn off the CNC machine before unplugging or plugging back in. Do not unplug by pulling on the power cord.
Do not use the CNC machine if the power cord is damaged.
Do not use the CNC machine with a power supply other than the one that came with the CNC machine.
Do not abuse the power cord. Do not twist, bend, scrape, pull, pinch, or put a heavy object on it. Keep the cord away from heat, sharp edges, and oil.

Electrocution

Only use the power cord supplied with the milling machine. To do otherwise may result in electrocution or fire.

Connect an Earth Terminal to the Ground

Always plug the CNC machine into a grounded outlet that matches the plug. Do not modify the power cord or plug in any way.

Do Not Spray with Liquid

Make sure the CNC machine stays dry.
While the Desktop CNC Milling Machine is portable, we don’t recommend machining outside in rainy or wet conditions.
Do not use cutting fluid, coolant, or liquid lubrication on the CNC machine.

Machine & Tool Safety

As with any power tool, do not use the CNC machine if you are tired, distracted, or otherwise impaired.
Do not operate the CNC machine with damaged or dull end mills.
Do not operate the CNC machine if your material is not securely fixed to the machine bed.
Use the milling machine’s Emergency Stop button to immediately stop the machine when necessary.

Hot Surface: Do Not Touch

Do not touch moving parts on the spindle house assembly after use. They may be hot.

Dust Inhalation & Explosion Hazard

Ensure that the CNC machine is clear of debris before and after operation.
Use a brush to clean metal debris, as vacuuming metal shavings could cause a fire in the vacuum cleaner.
A vacuum may be used to clean other material debris.

Pausing & Stopping Your Job

There are two ways to halt your job, once you start milling with the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine:

The E-stop button
Pause or stop your job in the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software

Stopping Your Job Using the E-stop Button

The E-stop button is located on the bottom left side of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine’s enclosure. To engage the E-stop button, you just have to press it in. The machine will remain on, but the spindle will still and the machine’s X, Y, and Z carriages will stop moving. This safety feature is great to use if you see something dangerous is happening with the machine. Some examples of this may include:

An end mill breaking
The tool collides with the machining bed or fixturing accessories you’ve installed with the machine
You notice your piece of stock is shifting or lifting up off the machining bed as you mill your part.

Amanda. “Safety Overview – Bantam Tools.” Bantam Tools Safety Overview, Bantam Tools, Aug. 2022, https://support.bantamtools.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052494894-Safety-Overview.