You pay for every hour a tech is on site. A little prep before they arrive can save hours and get your machine running sooner.
Before the visit
- Book a set time. Scheduling a specific arrival time lets the tech plan the day and bring the right parts.
- Send the details ahead. Machine make, model, serial number, control, alarm photos and any videos.
- Free up the machine. Pull the part out if you can, clear chips and make room around it.
- Have manuals and electrical drawings handy if you have them.
When the tech arrives
- Have the operator there. The person who runs the machine every day knows what changed, what it sounded like and what the alarm history means. Repair companies tell us this alone saves a lot of time.
- Show them where to park, unload and get power and air.
- Know who can approve parts and extra hours, so work doesn’t stop waiting for a call back.
After the visit
- Ask what failed and why, and what would prevent it.
- Get a written service report.
- Ask about a preventive maintenance plan if this was avoidable.
- Update your parameter backups if anything changed.
Need a repair tech?Find a verified repair tech near you, or send one request.
Find CNC repairMore guides for shop owners
Guide · 2 min readBallbar tests and laser calibration, explained for shop ownersWhat these tests measure, when you need them, and what the report tells you.Guide · 2 min readBuying a used CNC machine? What to inspect before you payA checklist for inspecting a used mill or lathe, and why a pre-purchase inspection from a repair tech is worth it.Guide · 2 min readCNC preventive maintenance checklist: daily, weekly, monthly, yearlyA simple, printable PM schedule for mills and lathes that operators can actually follow.Guide · 2 min readRepair or replace? How to decide on an old CNC machineA straight way to decide whether to fix, rebuild, retrofit or replace an aging machine.