Five minutes before the weekend
On Friday afternoon, take every bit out of the foam and look at the edge under a loupe. Chipped, burned or rounded edges go to the dull lane. The bits that pass go back in their silhouettes. Empty silhouettes get chased before anyone leaves.
Why Friday
Monday morning is the worst time to discover the only good compression bit is chipped. Doing it on Friday gives time to reorder, or at least to plan Monday around what is sharp.
Keep a simple log
Write the date and the bits moved to dull on the audit card. After a month you can see which bits wear fastest and which jobs cause it, which is useful when you quote.
The slip we see most
Doing the audit only when someone remembers, so a month goes by without one.
How you know it is working
Monday starts with sharp bits in every silhouette and a short reorder list already sent.
Written by Andile Khumalo, Managing Director. Andile started CNCPME after years setting up router cells for small sign and furniture shops on the East Rand.
Checklist
- Every edge under a loupe
- Dull bits to the dull lane
- Empty silhouettes chased
- Card dated and signed
Pair this runbook with
Stuck after the checklist? Email cnc@cncpme.co.za with your city, machine and a photo.
