1. Have I Analysed My Production Needs Correctly?
The most common mistake — "buying the machine first and dreaming up the production plan afterwards". Start by keeping 3-6 months of production data:
- Which materials do you process, and in what proportions? (marble 60%, granite 30%, composite 10% — just an example)
- What is your typical slab size? (If the slab is 3000×2000, a larger machine is unnecessary)
- What is your monthly cutting length / number of workpieces?
- Which type of cutting predominates? (straight cutting, chamfering, V-cut, 3D machining)
- Is the work seasonal or continuous? (If there are summer peaks, size the capacity for them)
2. Is the Number of Axes Right?
Number of axes = capacity ≠ value. More axes cost more + mean more complex maintenance. Scale your requirement correctly:
- 3 axes — enough for straight cutting (the waterjet standard)
- 4 axes — straight cutting + manual chamfering or 1 rotation (common for marble)
- 5 axes — 3D machining + V-cut + internal corner profiles (critical for kitchen countertops + decorative work)
Practical Advice
If 20% or more of your work is 3D machining / V-cut / internal corners, the advantage of 5 axes is felt concretely. Below that proportion a combination of 4 axes + a manual finish may be enough; decide by analysing your production data.
3. Have I Carried Out a Production Efficiency Analysis?
Before the investment decision, assess qualitatively what the new machine adds compared with your existing production speed:
- Your existing production speed vs the target — by how many times does the new machine increase capacity?
- Are there types of work you have had to turn down? (because of capacity or competence)
- Will the defect/scrap rate fall? (fewer returns on quality grounds)
- The rise in operator efficiency — the gain obtained by moving from manual work to CNC
- The potential to increase the variety of your production (new materials, new techniques)
The Payback Calculation
The net payback period of the investment should be calculated with your workshop's real production data, selling prices and operational costs. We recommend making this calculation with your accountant or financial adviser; a single general figure can be misleading as an industry average.
4. CE Marking and Standards?
The CE marking is a declaration of conformity with the European Union safety directive. In Türkiye, Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 prohibits the use of industrial machinery without CE marking in the workplace. What needs to be asked:
- Does the machine carry CE marking? (manufacturer's declaration + conformity assessment)
- Does it conform to the 2006/42/EC European Machinery Directive?
- The ISO 12100 (general safety), ISO 13850 (emergency stop) and EN 60204-1 (electrical) standards?
- Is there a TSE certificate from Türkiye or an independent test certificate?
The Risk of an Uncertified Machine
A workplace accident on a machine without CE marking → the employer is fully liable, the insurer does not pay, and there is a risk of the operation being shut down. A cheap machine without CE marking is not a saving — it is a legal risk.
5. Service Network and Spare Parts?
A machine lives on its maintenance. What should be questioned before the investment decision:
- Where is the authorised service? How many service points are there across Türkiye?
- How many hours does it take the service team to reach the factory? (24-48 hours is ideal on a critical breakdown)
- What is the spare parts lead time? (standard parts should be held in stock, with a defined lead time for special parts)
- Is there remote support? (operator support through USB logs + a remote connection)
- Is there an annual contract + maintenance service?
6. Is Operator Training Included?
Even the best machine wastes the investment if it is used incorrectly. Ask:
- Is the training included or chargeable? How many days?
- Who gives it? (a manufacturer's engineer or a sales representative)
- Is it classroom training or workshop practice?
- Is CNC programming included, or is it only operational?
- Is there maintenance training? (the operator should be able to carry out basic maintenance)
- Is a certificate issued?
The 5 day all-in-one USEL Academy programme covers all of these points — safety, machine preparation, G-code programming, production simulation, maintenance. It is given directly by USEL engineers, separately from factory dealers.
7. Finance and Payment Terms?
- The availability of cash / instalment / leasing options
- State support (KOSGEB in Türkiye and similar bodies) — current programmes should be confirmed with the body concerned
- EU grant funds (sectoral programmes for export-oriented SMEs)
- The manufacturer's warranty scope and term
- Tax incentives and depreciation advantages (to be discussed one to one with your financial adviser)
8. Site Preparation and Infrastructure?
So that you are not left saying "the generator is not big enough" once the machine has arrived:
- Electrical infrastructure (3 phase, 380V, the kVA requirement)
- For a waterjet: a softening or RO system (critical for pump life)
- For a CNC bridge saw: a cutting water tank + drainage + cooling
- Pneumatics: air compressor capacity + tank size
- For sandblasting: ventilation + extraction + an enclosed cabinet
- The load bearing capacity of the floor (heavy machines weigh 3-8 tonnes)
- Crane / forklift access — for the installation
What to Do at the Decision Stage
- Summarise your production requirement in writing
- Obtain detailed quotations from at least 2-3 manufacturers (with every detail in writing)
- Ask for existing customer references, and visit them if possible
- Visit the factory — build quality is visible to the eye
- Add the training + service + spare parts terms to the contract
- Plan the site preparation 3-6 months in advance
- Place the firm order once finance approval has been obtained
- Assign an engineer for quality control during the delivery process