CNC machine tool calibration is essential for machining precision and process reliability. Even a well-built CNC machine will gradually drift out of alignment due to everyday wear and environmental factors, leading to deviations in accuracy.

Without regular calibration, these small errors can accumulate and result in parts falling out of tolerance, causing costly rework and scrap. By periodically calibrating and fine-tuning CNC equipment, manufacturers ensure that their machines consistently produce high-quality parts and run reliably.

Common issues caused by uncalibrated CNC machines

All CNC machines are subject to positioning errors over time from natural wear and tear or sudden events like crashes. If left uncalibrated, these errors manifest in several ways.

Axis positioning errors: Linear axis deviations mean the machine’s X, Y, or Z axis doesn’t travel the exact distance commanded. Even a small scaling error can make a hole slightly off-location or a part come out oversized. Over time, such displacement errors will push a machine out of tolerance, requiring correction to restore accuracy.

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