Applies to: Dominator Pro and Dominator Core
Regular maintenance helps keep your Dominator CNC machine running smoothly, accurately, and safely. This guide covers basic cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and general upkeep for both the Dominator Pro and Dominator Core.
Most maintenance is simple and only takes a few minutes when done regularly.
Before You Begin
Before performing maintenance:
- Stop the current job.
- Turn off the spindle/router.
- Power down the CNC controller.
- Disconnect power if you will be working near wiring, electronics, or moving components.
- Allow the spindle/router and cutting tool to fully stop before touching the machine.
Never perform maintenance while the machine is running.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule
| Frequency | Maintenance Task |
|---|---|
| Before each job | Clear chips and dust from the work area |
| Before each job | Check that the workpiece is secure |
| Before each job | Check that the bit/tool is tight and properly installed |
| Weekly | Clean rails, wheels/bearings, ball screws/lead screws, and cable chains |
| Weekly | Inspect fasteners, wiring, and dust collection |
| Monthly | Check machine squareness, motion smoothness, and spoilboard condition |
| As needed | Lubricate motion components if applicable |
| As needed | Surface or replace the spoilboard |
1. Keep the Machine Clean
Dust and chips are the most common cause of poor performance, rough motion, and premature wear.
After each project:
- Vacuum the spoilboard, frame, and surrounding area.
- Remove chips from around the rails, screws, cable chains, and end plates.
- Wipe exposed motion components with a clean, dry cloth.
- Check that dust is not packed around sensors, switches, connectors, or the spindle/router mount.
Avoid blowing chips directly into bearings, electronics, connectors, or the controller enclosure with compressed air. A vacuum and soft brush are usually safer.
2. Inspect Motion Components
Move the machine by jogging each axis and listen for unusual sounds.
Check for:
- Grinding, binding, or rough motion
- Excessive vibration
- Loose fasteners
- Chips packed into moving areas
- Cable chains rubbing or catching
- Wires being pulled, pinched, or stretched
If something feels different than normal, stop and inspect before continuing to run jobs.
3. Check Fasteners
CNC machines vibrate during normal use, so fasteners should be checked periodically.
Inspect:
- Frame bolts
- Motor mounting screws
- Spindle/router mount screws
- Rail or gantry hardware
- Spoilboard mounting hardware
- Accessory mounts
- Cable chain brackets
- Limit switch or sensor brackets, if equipped
Tighten only as needed. Do not overtighten fasteners into aluminum, plastic, or printed parts.
4. Check Screws, and Drive Components
Depending on your machine configuration, inspect the drive system for each axis.
Look for:
- Debris on lead screws or ball screws
- Excessive play or backlash
- Uneven or jerky movement
Screws should be clean and free of packed dust or chips.
5. Lubrication
Some motion components may require occasional lubrication depending on the machine configuration and installed hardware.
General guidelines:
- Clean the component before applying lubricant.
- Use a light amount of appropriate lubricant.
- Wipe away excess lubricant so it does not collect dust.
- Do not spray lubricant near electronics, sensors, or connectors.
- Do not use WD-40 as a long-term bearing or rail lubricant.
If your machine has linear rails, bearings, lead screws, or ball screws that require lubrication, follow the lubricant recommendations for that component.
Over-lubrication can attract dust and create buildup, so more is not always better.
6. Spoilboard Maintenance
Your spoilboard is a wear item and should be maintained regularly.
Check for:
- Deep grooves
- Uneven areas
- Swelling from moisture
- Loose mounting screws
- Poor workholding
- Loss of flatness
Surface the spoilboard when needed to restore a flat cutting surface. Replace it when it becomes too thin, damaged, or unreliable for workholding.
7. Spindle or Router Maintenance
If your machine uses a spindle or router, inspect it regularly.
Before each job:
- Check that the bit is fully seated and tightened properly.
- Inspect the collet for dust, resin, chips, or damage.
- Confirm that the spindle/router mount is tight.
- Listen for unusual bearing noise.
- Make sure the spindle/router can spin freely before starting a job.
For spindle systems:
- Keep the spindle body clean.
- Keep cooling fans or cooling systems unobstructed.
- Inspect spindle cables and connectors.
- Follow the spindle manufacturer’s recommendations for warm-up and maintenance.
8. Dust Collection
Good dust collection improves cut quality and helps protect the machine.
Check regularly:
- Dust boot bristles or brushes
- Hose connections
- Hose grounding/static buildup
- Clogs in the hose or collector
- Clearance between the dust boot and clamps
- Dust hose movement through the full travel of the machine
Make sure the dust hose does not pull on the spindle, cable chain, or gantry during movement.
Static discharge can cause strange machine behavior in some shop environments. If you experience shocks, unexpected alarms, homing issues, unusual motion, or other odd behavior, stop using the machine and contact support. Internal notes indicate EMI/static-related symptoms are typically things like electric shocks, unusual movement, alarms, or homing issues, and customers should reach out for help if those symptoms appear.
9. Wiring and Cable Chains
Inspect the wiring and cable chains regularly.
Look for:
- Loose connectors
- Damaged cables
- Cables rubbing against sharp edges
- Cable chains binding
- Strain on connectors
- Dust packed into cable chain links
Cables should move freely through the full travel of the machine without being stretched, pinched, or pulled tight.
Do not modify wiring unless instructed by PwnCNC support or unless you are following an official PwnCNC guide.
10. Check Machine Squareness and Accuracy
If your cuts are no longer square or parts do not fit as expected, inspect the machine setup.
Check:
- Frame squareness
- Gantry alignment
- Spoilboard flatness
- Tool deflection
- Loose workholding
- Loose spindle/router mount
- Incorrect feeds and speeds
- Worn bits
- Backlash or loose drive components
Accuracy issues are often caused by loose hardware, worn tooling, poor workholding, or an uneven spoilboard.
11. ATC and Accessories
If your machine includes an ATC, tool setter, probe, dust boot, laser, or other accessories, inspect those items as part of your normal maintenance.
Check that:
- Mounts are tight
- Cables are secure
- Connectors are seated
- Sensors are clean
- Tool holders are clean
- Tool locations have not shifted
- The accessory does not interfere with machine travel
If an accessory behaves unexpectedly, stop and troubleshoot before continuing.
12. Signs That Maintenance Is Needed
Perform maintenance or contact support if you notice:
- New or unusual noises
- Rough or jerky motion
- Missed steps
- Poor cut quality
- Burning or chatter
- Unexpected alarms
- Homing problems
- Bit slipping
- Workpieces shifting
- Visible cable damage
- Excessive dust buildup
- Static shocks near the machine
Small issues are easier to fix when caught early.
Quick Maintenance Checklist
Before running a job:
- Machine is clean
- Workpiece is secure
- Bit is tight
- Collet is clean
- Dust collection is connected
- Cables move freely
- No clamps are in the toolpath
- Machine homes correctly
- Spindle/router sounds normal
- Spoilboard is flat enough for the job
Weekly:
- Vacuum and wipe down the machine
- Inspect screws, rails, and bearings
- Check fasteners
- Inspect wiring and cable chains
- Clean the collet and spindle/router area
- Check dust collection hose movement
Monthly:
- Check squareness
- Check spoilboard flatness
- Inspect all major fasteners
- Inspect accessory mounts
- Verify smooth travel across all axes
When to Contact Support
Contact PwnCNC support if you are unsure about a maintenance step or if you notice:
- Electrical issues
- Damaged wiring
- Repeated alarms
- Unusual machine movement
- Homing problems
- Severe binding
- Damaged motion components
- Problems that continue after cleaning and inspection
Please include photos or videos when possible. This helps us understand what you are seeing and recommend the correct next step.
Support: [email protected]
