Requirements checklist
What to ask for when choosing software for machine tool manufacturers.
A checklist built from how machine tool manufacturers work, to print or save as a PDF and bring to any supplier meeting.
What the software should cover
Tick each one that matters to your business.
- Model and option quotations
- Casting, bed and guideway records
- Spindle, screw and controller records
- Run-in and accuracy tests
- Installation and training
- Spares and service by serial
Roles that need their own access
Who logs in, and what each person may see or change.
- For sales engineers
- For the design office
- For machining and scraping fitters
- For test engineers
- For installation and service engineers
Reports to ask for
Ask to see each one with your own sample data.
- Machines in build, by stage and model
- Castings received and machined by pattern
- Spindles and screws issued by serial
- Accuracy tests done, passed and awaiting
- Open, won and lost quotations, by machine type
- Installations booked and completed
- Spares quoted, by model and machine age
Systems it may need to connect to
Note which ones you already run.
- SMS
- Accounting export
- Drawing file links
Questions for any vendor
Put these to every supplier you are comparing.
- Can the run-in log of a spindle be stored?
- How are options like a tool changer quoted?
- Does it record scraping work?
- Can geometric test results go to the buyer?
- Can we train and track operators?
- Can retrofits of old machines be handled?
- Can existing serials be loaded?
- What does it cost?
Where the work usually breaks today
Circle the ones you recognise. They set the order of the project.
- Casting and bed history is lost
- Spindle and screw serials are not tied to the machine
- Run-in and test results are scattered
- Options change the build late
- Installation notes never return
Prefer to talk it through? See the machine tool manufacturers page.