Support
Commissioning
Machine commissioning for South African workshops, covering power-up, checks, calibration and first-cut handover for teams that know the floor.
What Commissioning looks like on a working week
Commissioning gets the machine from installation to a proper first cut on your floor. We work through power-up, core checks, calibration and handover so your team starts with the controls and basic operating routine in place.
Commissioning starts with the machine model, supply voltage, compressor capacity and the first materials you intend to cut. A router for MDF and acrylic is checked differently from a mill on aluminium or a plasma table on plate. Site conditions in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town also matter, especially dust levels, humidity, corrosion risk and load-shedding recovery.
Photos of the machine position, incoming power point and extraction layout help before power-up begins. During commissioning we verify cable runs, clearances, earthing and operator access around the table or enclosure. That preparation prevents avoidable faults on the first homing cycle or first cut.
First-cut handover checklist
The handover covers machine zero, homing behaviour, tool length or torch height reference, feed settings and the basic shutdown routine. Your team records the key settings used for the first acceptable part, not vague notes that cannot be repeated later. For production work, repeatability matters more than a once-off sample.
Before commissioning, gather the controller details, tooling list and material size in one message through the contact form. Include anything unusual such as single-phase limitations, restricted access for offloading, or extraction that is still being installed. That gives the technician the operating picture before arrival.
- Power, air and extraction verified
- Axes homed and travel checked
- Operator handover on site
Site checks that affect cut quality
Machine level, gantry alignment, spindle warm-up or torch consumable condition can change the first results more than the drawing itself. We also check workholding, spoilboard condition, coolant or air supply, and whether the control cabinet is staying clean. In older industrial units, unstable power and limited space around the machine often need attention before production starts.
Coastal workshops need closer attention to corrosion on rails, fasteners and electrical components. Inland sites often fight fine dust that reaches sensors, racks and cabinet filters, especially around routers. After a power interruption, re-homing, datum checks and a careful first run should be part of the restart routine.
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Information to send before arrival
Send the machine model, site photos, power details, timing and what has already been tried. Keep the subject line clear and factual.
Send the machine model, controller type, available power, material to be cut and any faults seen during installation. Add photos of the machine in position, the distribution board connection area and the extraction or air setup where relevant. If test pieces have been run, include what happened at the cut edge, hole size or surface finish.