# Swiss and Bar-Fed Lathe Job Setup and First Piece Checklist > Source: https://netray.co/tools/swiss-and-bar-fed-lathe-job-setup-first-piece-checklist > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer A job setup checklist from paperwork and bar loading through program proving, first piece approval and handoff to the operator. ## Category quality ## Industry Precision Machining ## Audience - Setup technician - Machinist - Quality technician ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Scoring Note:** All critical items must be complete before the first piece is approved and the operator takes over. Record any skipped item and the reason on the traveler. **Groups:** #### Paperwork and readiness **Items:** **Text:** Traveler, drawing revision and program revision match **Critical:** true Customer special requirements and inspection plan reviewed **Text:** Material certificate on hand and lot number recorded **Critical:** true **Text:** Gages and fixtures listed on the plan are present and in calibration **Critical:** true Setup sheet or previous setup photos available Required secondary operations and outside processes confirmed #### Bar stock, feeder and collet **Items:** **Text:** Bar diameter and grade checked against the traveler **Critical:** true Bar checked for straightness and burrs before loading **Text:** Feeder channel, pusher and bar support match the bar size **Critical:** true **Text:** Collet and guide bushing match the bar diameter and are clean **Critical:** true Bar end stub length set so the last part is not lost to a bad grip Coolant type, concentration and level confirmed #### Tooling and offsets **Items:** **Text:** Tool list matches the program and all tools are the correct grade **Critical:** true Inserts and cutoff blade are new or within planned life **Text:** Tool offsets set and verified, with spindle and sub-spindle references checked **Critical:** true Guide bushing clearance and tool stick-out checked for collisions Chip control and coolant nozzle positions checked Spare tools and gages for the run staged at the machine #### Program proving **Items:** **Text:** Program dry run with feed override reduced and no collisions **Critical:** true **Text:** Cut the first part in single block mode and measure before cycling **Critical:** true Part transfer to the sub-spindle and ejection into the catcher tested Cutoff and facing clean with acceptable burr Cycle time recorded and compared with the quoted cycle time Part counter and bar-end signal tested #### First piece inspection **Items:** **Text:** All drawing dimensions measured on the first piece, including critical characteristics **Critical:** true Surface finish and thread fit checked with the right gage Visual check for burrs, tool marks and damage Second piece measured after thermal stabilization **Text:** First piece approved and signed by quality or the lead **Critical:** true First piece retained and tagged with job and date #### Handoff to run **Items:** **Text:** Inspection frequency, sample size and reaction plan explained to the operator **Critical:** true Tool change interval and offset adjustment limits written on the traveler Chip conveyor, coolant and bar stock supply confirmed for the shift Setup time and issues recorded for the next setup Program changes saved with a new revision and noted ## Content **Intro:** Most scrap on a bar-fed job is born in the setup. This checklist walks a setup technician from paperwork and bar loading through program proving and first piece approval to the handoff to the operator. **Sections:** #### How to use the checklist **Body:** Work through the groups in order and tick each item as it is done. Items marked critical must be complete before the first piece is approved and the machine is released to production. Export the checklist as a record, and attach it to the job traveler. If an item does not apply, note why rather than leaving it blank, since blanks cannot be told apart from skipped steps. Review the checklist after problem jobs and add the item that would have caught the problem. #### What it covers **Body:** The first group confirms the paperwork matches: drawing revision, program revision and material certificate. The second covers the bar, feeder, collet and guide bushing, which cause many Swiss problems when mismatched. The third covers tools and offsets. Program proving uses a dry run and single block cut before cycle start. First piece inspection covers all dimensions and a second piece after thermal stabilization. The last group hands off inspection frequency and reaction limits. #### Linking it to your quality system **Body:** A setup checklist supports the control of production processes expected by quality systems such as ISO 9001 and AS9100, where first article or first piece verification is part of the process. It is not a replacement for a formal first article inspection when a customer requires one, such as AS9102 for aerospace. Keep the completed checklist with the job record so you can show what was checked on the day. #### Common mistakes **Body:** The most expensive mistake is releasing the machine after one good part and no second check, because thermal growth and tool wear show up after the machine warms up. Another is changing the program at the machine without saving a new revision. A third is leaving the reaction plan vague, so the operator does not know when to adjust and when to stop. If your ERP tracks setup time, record the actual setup so future quotes use real numbers. **Cta:** If setup and first piece records live on paper, Netray can help bring them into your ERP job record so they can be searched and trended. **Faq:** #### What is the difference between first piece and first article inspection? **Answer:** First piece inspection is an internal check that a setup makes good parts. First article inspection is a formal, documented verification, often required by the customer, such as AS9102 in aerospace. A first piece check may feed into an FAI but does not replace it. #### How many parts should be measured at first piece? **Answer:** At least one part for all dimensions, and preferably a second after the machine stabilizes. Many shops measure a short run of parts for critical features to confirm the process is stable before releasing it. #### Why check the guide bushing and collet? **Answer:** A worn or wrong-size guide bushing or collet causes taper, chatter, bar marks and size drift on Swiss machines. They are a common hidden cause of size problems that look like tool wear. #### Can I customize the checklist? **Answer:** Yes. Treat it as a starting point and add machine-specific steps, customer requirements and lessons from past scrap. Remove steps that do not apply to your machines rather than skipping them each time. ## Search terms swiss machine setup checklist, cnc lathe setup sheet checklist, first piece inspection checklist machining, bar feeder setup checklist, screw machine setup checklist, machine setup verification form, first article approval machining, setup technician checklist --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json