My CNC machine decided to get creative on its own

I was running a repeat job for some simple spacers out of plastic. Somehow, I entered the wrong Z-axis depth by a whole inch. The drill plunged right through the part and into the fixture plate below. It made this HORRIBLE grinding noise that scared everyone in the shop. We ended up with a spacer that had a surprise hole straight through the middle. The boss just shook his head and called it a 'design feature'. Now I ALWAYS verify my offsets twice before hitting start.

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3 Comments

blakelee6mo ago

Recall drilling clear through a board and into my garage floor last summer. Set the depth wrong on a pocket hole jig and created an unexpected skylight. The sound was like grinding rocks, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. My wife called it 'rustic charm' but I had to patch concrete for days. Now I check my settings like a hawk, but doesn't every project need a little unintended personality? What is it with tools having a mind of their own?

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phoenix_thompson6mo ago

Tell me about it. I once cut a board two inches too short.

10

wren_scott396mo ago

Watched my circular saw try to walk off the workbench once when it bound in a knot. That thing jumped like it had a personal grudge against my project plans. Sometimes I swear they get bored and decide to invent new problems just to keep things interesting. You can double check every setting and still get that moment of pure panic when the tool makes its own choices.

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