Resources
Media Guide
A media guide for showing CNC jobs properly, with the photos and clips that help identify machine faults, finish issues and setup problems.
How the Media Guide supports a product launch week
The Media Guide shows what to photograph or film when a CNC job, finish or machine behaviour needs a second look. Good images save guesswork, especially when the issue sits in a cut edge, spindle area or setup detail that words alone do not explain.
Begin with the exact job and the area that needs attention. Note the material, cutter diameter, spindle speed, feed setting and whether the fault shows on the top face, edge, pocket or drilled hole. In South African workshops, MDF dust, acrylic glare, aluminium swarf and power cuts can all hide the real cause if the media is too vague.
Take the first photos before anything is cleaned or adjusted. A wide shot of the full machine, followed by close images of the tool, hold-down and workpiece, gives the sequence needed to judge setup errors against cutting faults. Save the clips with the job name so they stay with the same sheet, drawing or customer sample.
Photos that show the fault
The most useful angles show what happened when a desktop CNC job goes wrong or a finish looks suspect. Stills and short video clips can reveal chatter, tool deflection, burning, poor chip clearing and movement in the workholding. Clear media makes it easier to compare the cut result with the machine setup that produced it.
Keep these shots with the job record. A useful set has an overall view of the machine, a close shot of the cutter, and the defect with a ruler or known reference in frame. If the issue changes during the run, add a short clip with spindle sound and axis movement visible.
- Wide machine shot before any adjustments
- Close detail of tool, collet and cut
- Video of sound, chips and movement
Workshop conditions that affect footage
Lighting changes what can be diagnosed from a photo. Harsh LED glare on acrylic, fine MDF dust on dark parts, and reflective aluminium edges can hide marks that matter, so side lighting often shows the surface better than flash. Keep the bench clear enough that cable runs, clamps and spoilboard condition can still be seen.
Coastal humidity can leave residue on rails and exposed metal, while dry inland shops often show heavier dust around gantries and stepper areas. During power interruptions or machine restarts, photograph the controller screen and job position before rehoming or re-running the cut. If a fault appears only under load, record a short pass on the same material rather than an empty travel move.
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What to capture on each job
Use the media guide with machine photos, release timing, and any details already confirmed on the product. Keep the subject line clear and factual.
Record the material type, thickness, cutter specification and whether the part was climb cut or conventional cut where relevant. Add images of the spoilboard, hold-down method, zero point and the first failed section so the problem can be traced back to setup, tool wear or toolpath choice. A few organised files are more useful than a large batch of random workshop photos.