Resources
Spec Card
The Spec Card records the cutting setup for one CNC job, from sheet stock and tool diameter to coating choice and hold-down method. It gives the operator, programmer, and buyer one shared page to check before another board or plate goes on the bed.
How Spec Card guides a machining week
The Spec Card gives one clear reference for the cutting job and the tool being used. It suits CNC work where coated tooling, material choice, and cutting detail need to stay aligned across the team.
Begin with the material grade, thickness, and finish, then note spindle speed, feed rate, depth per pass, and cutter code. Humid coastal storage, fine MDF dust, aluminium chip build-up, and power interruptions can all change how a run is planned in South Africa. Include the branch, machine name, and who flagged the issue if the card is being raised after a failed cut.
Add a clear machine photo and at least one image of the first test piece before the job moves into volume cutting. Mark burn lines, edge breakout, chip welding, or coating wear directly on the card so the next shift can see what changed. A printed copy near the router and a saved copy with the job file help when settings must be checked again.
Job data that must stay visible
A complete Spec Card should show the part name, drawing revision, material, cutter type, coating, and the approved cutting settings in one place. It should also note clamp position, vacuum performance, coolant or air use, and the finish expected off the machine. That makes it easier to compare one run against the previous sample instead of relying on memory.
Use the Spec Card alongside the tooling list and any fault notes from the same job before changing feeds or ordering replacement bits. Ask another operator or setter to check the cutter reference, coating description, and photo set before parts leave for delivery.
- Material, tool, and settings on one page
- First-cut photos kept with the job
- Space for reported tooling faults
Machine-room conditions to note
Account for export collections through OR Tambo, warehouse cut-offs in Gauteng, and older factory sites where access, dust control, and power supply can change the job plan. Some buyers still want to handle the tooling before release, so note any showroom viewing alongside the cutting requirements. If production is underway, separate the urgent cutter request from the wider machining schedule on the Spec Card.
Coastal conditions can affect tool storage, corrosion checks, and how coated bits are kept between runs. Inland sites often need more frequent cleaning around rails, collets, and covers because dust builds quickly. If power supply has been unstable, note where the program stopped and whether the datum was rechecked before restarting.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
What to capture on the card
Fill in the Spec Card with job photos, required timing, and any failed cuts or tooling issues already reported. Keep the subject line precise.
Fill in the card while the setup is still on the machine and the operator can verify each value. Record the sample result, any rejected parts, tool wear seen at the spindle, and the timing required for the next cut. Include job photos and a clear note on faults so the card can travel with purchasing, programming, and machine setup without losing detail.