FAQs for flood affected machines of Ace Micromatic Group
Heavy floods have battered Chennai’s industrial and business hubs leading to losses that run into thousands of crores of rupees, claimed experts.
Most automobile companies in Kanchipuram, which houses plants of a dozen bigwigs, registered huge losses. The rain not only hampered production process for days, but also triggered shortage of essential supplies for production to resume. In many plants, workforce remained less than what was needed for full-strength operation due to limited connectivity and transportation.
Sensing the emergency of the situation India’s largest Machine Tool Group, ACE Micromatic has started various flood relief support to companies in that area such as dedicated flood helpline number. Through this article B.Harish, General Manager, Micromatic Machine Tools (Pvt) Ltd explains what to do when your machine get wet.
FAQs for flood affected machines of Ace Micromatic Group
My CNC shop floor is wet due to flooding till Level 0. What precautions should I take for safeguarding my CNC Capital Equipment?
- Do not switch on the Machine
- Dry the floor completely
- Use a halogen/high voltage bulb to remove moisture in Electronic Cabinet, Voltage Stabilizer & Operator Panel for four hours.
- Check the incoming cable from mains to stabilizer & from stabilizer to machine for damages & water entry. If damaged do not switch on the machine & immediately replace the cable.
- Check the presence and also connectivity of the machine earthing.
- Call the authorized CNC Service engineer for the final check and switching on power on the machine.
My CNC machine is flooded till Level 1. What additional precautions should I take?
- Repeat all the points listed above from a to d
- Call MICROMATIC Engineer for removal of Transformer, Spindle motor, Lubrication motor, Hydraulic motor, Power Supply unit etc.,
- Coordinate with MICROMATIC Engineer for sending the above items to CNC system manufacturer for drying and repairs.
- Completely drain the hydraulic tank, lubrication tank & coolant tank and replace with fresh oil & coolant. Do not reuse the water contaminated oil, unless it is cleaned and verified by authorized representative
- Check the presence and also connectivity of the machine earthing.
- Call the authorized CNC Service engineer for the re-fitment of all parts and for final check before switching on power to the m/c.
My CNC machine is flooded till Level 2. What additional precautions should I take?
- At this level the spindle, axes motors, hardened or LM guideways, ball screws, part of electrical cabinet etc are likely to be under water. The repairs or likely replacement for the above equipment needs to be done by authorized MICROMATIC Engineer only.
- The spindle needs to be removed and sent to m/c manufacturer for replacement of bearings, greasing and assembly, and testing.
- Depending upon the m/c model, it is likely that the complete CNC package may need to be sent to CNC system manufacturer for washing, cleaning, drying and checking.
- Check the presence and also connectivity of the machine earthing.
- Call the authorized CNC Service engineer for the re-fitment of all parts and for final check before switching on power to the m/c.
My CNC machine is completely flooded beyond Level 2. What should I do to salvage the machine?
- At this level of flooding, the damage to the m/c will be quite severe. The damage will be higher if the m/c is under water for a long time
- Drain the water in the shortest possible time.
- Call the authorized service engineer who will recommend and estimate if the m/c can be salvaged economically or scrapped.
- If the m/c can be salvaged, actions detailed in Point no.3 need to be followed completely.
General Recommendations
- Call the insurance company representative as soon as possible and lodge a formal claim
- Take plenty of photos of the damaged equipment
- Do not send the damaged mechanical or electronic parts, CNC system, drives etc. to unauthorized persons. It could lead to irreparable damage to the machine, either immediately or after some time.
Author: B.Harish, General Manager, Micromatic Machine Tools (Pvt) Ltd
If you own a machine from ACE Micromatic Group, you may call in their dedicated flood helpline numbers +91 9840785520 and +91 9840785523 or send mail at connect@acemicromatic.com
