Safety

Safety Precautions

Failure to read and follow these safety warnings and operating instructions may result in voided warranty, property damage, serious injury or death.

Symbol	Description	Example
	WARNING! Indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.	WARNING! Ejection Hazard: Tools and work pieces must be clamped properly. Failure to do so could result in death and/or serious injury.
	CAUTION! Indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in injury or machine damage.	CAUTION! Be sure to wear gloves when uncrating lathe. Failure to do so could result in serious injury.
IMPORTANT!	IMPORTANT! Addresses practices not related to personal injury.	IMPORTANT! Tighten the drawbar so the collet holds the tool holder securely in position.
NOTE:	NOTE: Indicates additional information, clarification, or helpful hints.	NOTE: For further information on automatic oiler troubleshooting, refer to the operator manual.

Machine Safety

Any machine tool is potentially dangerous. Computer-controlled machines are potentially more dangerous than manual machines because, for example, a controller is quite prepared to plunge a turning tool at 60 inches per minute into a D1-4 chuck face spinning at 2500 RPM.

The Tormach lathe can deliver sufficient force to break tools, to crush bones, and to tear flesh. If loose hair, clothing, gloves, or jewelry gets caught by a rotating workpiece the results can be disastrous.

This manual tries to give you guidance on safety precautions and techniques, but because the details of each work area or other local conditions differ, we can accept no responsibility for the performance of the machine or any damage or injury caused by its use. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the implications of what you are doing and to comply with any legislation and codes of practice applicable to your country or state.

Machine Safety

Safe operation of the machine depends on its proper use and the precautions taken by the operator. Read and understand this manual prior to use. Only trained personnel – with a clear and thorough understanding of its operation and safety requirements – should operate this machine.

General Safety:

• Wear OSHA-approved safety glasses, safety shoes, and ear protection.

• Remove loose-fitting clothing, neckties, gloves, and jewelry.

• Tie up long hair or secure under a hat.

• Never operate a machine after consuming alcohol or taking medication.

• Keep work area well lit and deploy additional lighting, if needed.

Operational Safety

• Understand CNC lathes are automatically controlled and may start at any time.

• Do not leave machine unattended during operation.

• Always power off machine when not in use.

• Never operate with the door or chuck guard open; never bypass safety switches.

• Do not operate without knowing the function of every control key, button, knob or handle. Refer to the operator manual or contact Tormach if any function is not understood.

• Do not extend unsupported bar stock past the left end of the spindle bore.

• Do not operate with an unbalanced workpiece or spindle fixtures.

• Remove all tools (wrenches, chuck keys, etc.) from the spindle and machine surfaces before starting operations; loose items can become dangerous projectiles.

• Use adequate work clamping; loose workpieces can become projectiles.

• Be aware of workpiece cutoffs that could be cut free during operations and become dangerous projectiles.

• Protect your hands. Stop machine spindle and ensure lathe motion has stopped before:

  • Reaching into any part of the machine motion envelope

  • Changing tools or parts

  • Clearing away chips, oil, or coolant; always use a chip scraper or brush

  • Making an adjustment to the workpiece, fixture, or coolant nozzle

  • Taking measurements

• Keep work area clear of clutter as machine motion can occur when keys are accidentally pressed or objects fall on keyboard, resulting in unexpected motion.

• Avoid getting pinched in places where the table, saddle, or spindle head create pinch points while in motion.

• Always use proper feeds, speeds, and depths of cut to prevent tool breakage.

• Chips and dust from certain materials (e.g., magnesium) can be flammable. Fine dust from normally non-flammable materials can be flammable or even explosive.

• Chips and dust from certain materials can be toxic. Vapors from certain overheated materials can be toxic. Always check a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of suspect materials. Refuse machining work requests of unknown materials.

• If in any doubt, seek guidance from a professionally qualified expert rather than risk injury to yourself or to others.

• Use adequate safeguarding around the operating envelope.

It is the responsibility of the operator/employer to provide and ensure point of operation safeguarding per the following:

• OSHA 1910.212 - General Requirements for All Machines

• ANSI B11.5-1984 (R1994) Lathes

• ANSI B11.22-2002 Safety Requirements for Turning Centers and Automatic Numerically Controlled Turning Machines

• ANSI B11.TR3-2000 Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction - A Guideline to Estimate, Evaluate, and Reduce Risks Associated with Machine Tools.

Electrical Safety

WARNING! Electrical Shock Hazard: Be sure to power off machine before making any electrical modifications. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or death.

Never operate the machine tool with the cabinet door open. Never allow a coolant pump to operate with the cabinet door open. Do not allow the coolant system to flow coolant directly at the cabinet door seal or on the operator console controls. Neither the cabinet door seal nor the electrical controls are sealed against liquids.

Dual Power Input: The Tormach 15L Slant-PRO has two electrical power inputs. The primary supply is 200 to 250 VAC single phase and is used for all axis and spindle motion. This should be on a dedicated circuit of at least 20A. Either of the 15L Slant-PRO’s two electrical power inputs can provide lethal electrical shocks. Both power inputs should be unplugged before working in the electrical cabinet.

Electrical Service: Certain service and troubleshooting operations require access to the electrical cabinet while the electrical power is on. Only qualified electrical technicians should perform such operations.

Retained Electrical Power: Electronic devices within the electrical cabinet may retain dangerous voltage levels after the power has been removed.

Looking for more information?

This is a section of the 15L operator's manual. To view the whole manual, go to Tormach document UM10225.

If you have additional questions, we can help. Create a support ticket with Tormach Technical Support at tormach.com/how-to-submit-a-support-ticket for guidance on how to proceed.