2 Questions

[Pete marken]

1. Do you guys shut down your computer when shutting sown the CNC at the end of the day? I had an It guy tell me it's best to leave the computer running.
2. Any oy you have the auto lube system on your machine and if you do does it seem to work as advertised?

[keithrhyde]

Pete, it is best to not turn off your computer it doesn't like to be turned off and on and it doesn't use much electricity. You should however turn off your monitor. I have been working with computers for over fifty years and there have been many studies in large companies on how to save money and let the computer run but turn off the monitor is best. I don't have auto lube so I cannot speak to it. FWIW

[Charlie_L]

I leave mine on with monitor off.

[DVE2000]

I turn mine off and unplug the machine, ethernet, the PC, and the monitor from power. I've once had nearby lightning fry my router and various electronics in the house. Don't need the headache. If you do decide to leave your machine on, you should reboot it occasionally. There are always memory leaks and stuff like that.

[james mcgrew]

My pc has been turned off for maybe 1-20 times over 12 years and not for longer than one week one time and most all others a weekend, so may be 40-80 days total. did fry a pair of monitors but that took 6 years.

[james mcgrew]

I turn mine off and unplug the machine, ethernet, the PC, and the monitor from power. I've once had nearby lightning fry my router and various electronics in the house. Don't need the headache. If you do decide to leave your machine on, you should reboot it occasionally. There are always memory leaks and stuff like that.

Mine is in a heavy industrial grounded building,, if residential or a small shop power surges and ightning is something i would pay attention to.. i do reboot here and there

[keithrhyde]

I have a whole house surge protector installed at my panelboard as a first line of defense. All my electronics which is substantial have UPSs for backup and protection. Years ago I had a bad lightning strike and it took out my electrical power meter (smoked it) and anything that was electronic i.e. TV, microwave, computers etc was toast. It took out the computer control for the HVAC so we had to live without AC in August in Virginia for a few days. Fortunately since I am qualified the insurance company allowed me to do the repairs except for the power meter which the power company replaced. They said they had never had a meter smoked so bad you could not see the dials. It blew outlets out of the wall and other damage to the house. My neighbor came over to check on my Wife and kids and he said there was a big smoke ring around the house after the strike. I don't live there now but since then I take all the precautions I can because it is pay me now or later. Later is bad because it usually costs more money and much more time. I haven't had a power hit since and that was 1996. I am sure under the right conditions and the lightning strike is strong enough it could blow out my whole house surge and then into the house. It will go to ground the shortest path always which is what the surge protectors hopefully give it. Otherwise just unplug which is fine if you are home and remember. FWIW.

[gtgmarine]

I leave the PC on, in sleep mode, when not in use. I only shut down and unplug it if thunderstorms are expected. In that case I also unplug the Stinger.

[Jim Becker]

I shut down the computer when it's not in use...I don't use my CNC machine every day and it takes about 30 seconds to fully boot it from off if I need to use it for something.

[Texas CNC]

I shut down the computer when it's not in use...I don't use my CNC machine every day and it takes about 30 seconds to fully boot it from off if I need to use it for something.

I'm the same. I've built every computer I've had in the past 30 years with the exception of the one that came with my CNC (I just built one to replace it as well) and I get into cybersecurity as well so ALL of my machines are off when not being used. Can't hack a computer that's turned off. :D

[Jim Becker]

I don't leave mine off due to security concerns...it's more about power risk.