I’ve started using checklists. A few nights ago I made a small, careless mistake and wrecked one of my nice 60 degree milling bits (at $14 a pop).
My ‘favorite’ mistakes include:
- restarting LinuxCNC and forgetting to reload my program
- forgetting to connect the probe wiring before running the autoleveller
- Jogging an axis with the motors powered-off (losing my home)
- Leaving the probe wiring connected so I get a probe error as soon as the tool touches the workpiece.
So, in the interest of saving time, money, parts and frustration, I finally created a basic checklist. I keep thinking “this is easy, I’m pretty good at it”. Followed by the sound of a axis reaching it’s torque limit.
I set up the checklist in three parts: Setup, milling, cleanup. This particular example is for isolation-routing PC boards.
I put the page in a plastic sleeve so I can use a whiteboard marker and erase it when I’m done.
So far, so good. Now I need a checklist to remind me that I’m not smarter than the checklist.
