Press inspection checklist (before start-up, daily, weekly, monthly, annual) and maintenance

Daily (including before start of shift)

Check the operation of the clutch and brake (pre-work inspection item 1)CommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkClutch and brake (mechanical press), slide stopGuidelineWhen started and stopped for one stroke, it stops reliably at the set position (top dead center, etc.) and the way it stops is the same as usualProcedureDry-run in inching and single stroke, and watch the stopping position and how it comes to a stop. If anything is abnormal, repair it before use (Article 137)Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 136, item 1. The inspection before the day's work is an employer obligation. Article 136 covers the pre-work inspection for presses and shears (presses, etc.), with 6 items. Here the press part is split item by item^[1][2]
Check for loose bolts on the crankshaft, flywheel, slide, connecting rod, and connecting screw (pre-work inspection item 2)Mechanical pressBefore start of shiftWhat to checkAround the crankshaft, flywheel, slide, connecting rod, connecting screwGuidelineNo loose boltsOrdinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 136, item 2. Looseness leads to slide malfunction and falling parts (Article 17 of the Structural Standard for Power Presses requires locking against loosening for such bolts)^[1][2][3]
Check the single-stroke stop mechanism, quick-stop mechanism, and emergency stop device (pre-work inspection item 3)CommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkMode selector, start button and foot switch, emergency stop buttonGuidelineIt stops after one stroke even if the start control is held down. Pressing emergency stop during operation stops it immediately, and the slide does not move until it is returned to the start stateProcedureFor single-stroke stop, check that it stops at top dead center (upper limit of work) with the start control still held. Restart conditions after an emergency stop are in Article 3 of the Structural Standard for Power PressesOrdinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 136, item 3^[1][2][3]
Check the mechanism that prevents danger from the slide (safety enclosure, safety device, safety press mechanism) (pre-work inspection item 4)CommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkSafety enclosure; safety devices such as light curtain, two-hand control, and interlocked guardGuidelineNo abnormality in the inspection points for each type of safety device (secure mounting, safety distance, damage and dirt, operation). Details are under the safety device itemsOrdinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 136, item 4. The Guideline for Management of Press Safety Devices (MHLW Notification Kihatsu 0930 No. 11) requires pre-work inspection of safety devices, with the results recorded and kept. The inspector is the press work chief at workplaces that must appoint one, and otherwise the person who handles the duties of Article 134 (Guideline)^[1][4](1 source, for reference)
Check the condition of the dies and bolster (pre-work inspection item 5)CommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkUpper and lower dies, die mounting bolts and clamps, bolster top surfaceGuidelineNo cracks, chips, or loose mounting on the dies. No scratches or foreign matter on the bolsterOrdinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 136, item 5. There have been accidents where broken die fragments flew off^[1][2]
Inspect the light curtain safety deviceCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkEmitter and receiver (reflector), control panel, upstroke muting deviceGuidelineSecurely mounted and in the correct position (safety distance and vertical position). No damage, external wiring faults, or dirt on the emitter and receiver. Blocking the light stops the slide. It does not restart on its own after a quick stopProcedureBlock each beam in turn and check that it stops. Check the continuous blocking width with a test rod. If there is a check button, check the check circuit as well ("proper use" in the Guideline)Pre-work inspection table in the Guideline for Management of Press Safety Devices (light curtain, light curtain with control function)^[4](1 source, for reference)
Inspect the two-hand control (safe single-stroke type, two-hand start type) safety deviceCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkTwo-hand push buttons and guard rings, main unit, control panel, pneumatic equipmentGuidelineThe safety distance is correct, and the buttons and guard rings have no damage, deformation, or dirt. Single-stroke stop operates smoothly. The pneumatic lubricator has oilProcedureCheck that it runs only when both hands press at the same time (time difference of 0.5 seconds or less for type-approved units from fiscal 2011 on), that it will not run the next stroke unless both hands are released after each stroke, and for the safe single-stroke type, that releasing a hand on the closing stroke stops it quickly (Guideline)Pre-work inspection table in the Guideline for Management of Press Safety Devices^[4](1 source, for reference)
Inspect the laser safety device for press brakesPress brakeBefore start of shiftWhat to checkEmitter and receiver, control panel, switching to low closing speedGuidelineMounting position is as specified by the manufacturer, with no dirt or damage. The speed switching position is correct, and at low closing speed (10 mm/s or less) the slide moves only while the control is operatedProcedureAdjust and confirm the beam position and the switching position to low speed with the dedicated test piece (Guideline)The condition in Article 131, paragraph 2, item 3 of the Ordinance, and the pre-work inspection table in the Guideline^[4][1](1 source, for reference)
Inspect the interlocked guard safety deviceCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkGuard plate, operating device, control panel, pneumatic equipmentGuidelineThe guard plate is securely mounted, undamaged, and moves smoothly. The slide does not move unless the guard is closedPre-work inspection table in the Guideline for Management of Press Safety Devices^[4](1 source, for reference)
Record and keep the results of the pre-work inspectionCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkInspection checklistGuidelineKeep the date, items, results, and action takenThe Guideline requires recording and keeping the pre-work inspection of safety devices. JFMA also recommends making a checklist of inspection items and criteria to prevent omissions. For round-the-clock operation, JFMA recommends a daily inspection at each operator shift change as well^[4][5]
Check the pneumatic equipment around the safety devices and clutch (filter, lubricator, pressure regulator, solenoid valve)CommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkPressure gauge, pressure regulator, filter bowl, oil mist lubricator (lubricator)GuidelinePressure as specified by the manufacturer. No water collected in the filter bowl. The lubricator oil is at the right level and not cloudyProcedureThe periodic inspection table in the Guideline (two-hand control) lists checking filter drain, lubricator oil level, cloudiness and drip rate, and air pressureFor the pneumatic equipment of interlocked guard and two-hand control safety devices, the pre-work inspection table in the Guideline lists mounting, operation, and damage of the lubricator, filter, pressure regulator, and solenoid valve, and whether the lubricator has oil. For pneumatically operated clutches and brakes, a drop in air pressure affects stopping performance. Article 28 of the Structural Standard for Power Presses requires a mechanism that automatically stops the slide if air pressure falls to the required pressure or below^[4][6][3](1 source, for reference)
Check the hydraulic oil level, oil temperature, and oil leaksHydraulic pressDailyWhat to checkOil level gauge, oil thermometer, hydraulic pump, piping and fittingsGuidelineThe oil level is near the reference level and the oil temperature is in the proper range. No oil leaking from piping or equipmentRead the level gauge and always keep the oil near the reference level. A falling oil level causes bubbles, rising oil temperature, and oil deterioration (Yuken Kogyo). The Specified Self-Inspection Standard also makes oil quantity and oil leaks of hydraulic presses acceptance items. Many press brakes are also hydraulic, so the same inspection applies to hydraulic ones^[6][7]

Annual

Have the power press specified self-inspection (annual periodic self-inspection) doneCommonWhat to checkMachine body, power transmission, clutch, brake, stopping mechanism, slide, pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical, die cushion, safety press mechanismGuidelineNo abnormality in the 9 items of Article 134-3 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health. Inspection methods and acceptance criteria follow the "Specified Self-Inspection Standard for Power Presses" (MHLW Notice No. 323 of Reiwa 7 [2025])ProcedureThe 9 items: (1) power transmission such as crankshaft and flywheel, (2) control system such as clutch and brake, (3) single-stroke stop mechanism, quick-stop mechanism, and emergency stop device, (4) slide, connecting rod, etc., (5) pneumatic system such as solenoid valves and pressure regulators, (6) hydraulic system such as solenoid valves and hydraulic pump, (7) electrical system such as limit switches and relays, (8) die cushion and accessories, (9) mechanism that prevents danger from the slideA self-inspection once within every year is mandatory (Article 134-3). For power presses this inspection is the specified self-inspection, done by a qualified person or a registered inspection company (Article 135-3, Act Article 45, paragraph 2). A power press not used for more than 1 year needs no inspection for the idle period, but must be inspected when use resumes (Article 134-3, paragraph 2)^[1][12][2]
Keep specified self-inspection records for 3 years and attach the inspection markCommonWhat to checkInspection records, a visible place on the machineGuidelineRecord the inspection date, method, location, results, inspector (the company name if a contractor was used), and repairs made, and keep them for 3 years. Attach an inspection mark showing the year and month of inspection to the machineOrdinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 135-2 (records), Article 135-3, paragraphs 3 and 4 (entries when a contractor is used, inspection mark)^[1][2]
In the periodic inspection of safety devices, measure the stopping time (delay time, maximum stopping time) and compare it with the marked valueCommonWhat to checkSafe single-stroke and light curtain safety devices, the quick-stop mechanism of the press bodyGuidelineThe measured delay time and maximum stopping time do not exceed the values marked on the safety device and the pressProcedureMeasure with a stopping-performance measuring device. Record and keep the results (Guideline)The safety distance is determined from the stopping time, so if the stopping time grows, the safety distance becomes insufficient. The Guideline requires this comparison in the periodic inspection (at the time of the specified self-inspection), and the Specified Self-Inspection Standard also measures quick-stop time with a measuring device^[4][6](1 source, for reference)
In addition to the statutory inspection, give the machine a "health check" (inspection of accuracy and machine condition)CommonWhat to checkMechanical parts, electrical equipment, pneumatic, hydraulic and lubrication system equipment and pipingGuidelineFind wear, play, and loss of accuracy earlyAIDA recommends combining the specified self-inspection, whose purpose is safety checking, with an inspection that also looks at accuracy and machine condition, for long-term preventive maintenance. For items in the Specified Self-Inspection Standard judged as "appropriate in light of the structure and performance of the machine," the manufacturer's reference value is used (MHLW Kihatsu 1226 No. 2)^[6][13]

Other (as needed, first time, etc.)

Plan and carry out daily, weekly, monthly, semiannual, annual, and 3–5-year inspection and servicingCommonPeriodicWhat to checkWhole machineGuidelineDecide the items for daily (before work and at die change), weekly, monthly, semiannual, annual (statutory specified self-inspection), and once every 3–5 years comprehensive inspection and servicing, following the manufacturer's manualJFMA presents the inspection intervals in these 6 stages and recommends running the maintenance plan on a PDCA cycle. AIDA says presses are structurally prone to overload, shock, and vibration, and that preventive maintenance before the wear-out failure period decides their service life. The specific items for each interval are set per model in the manual. Public documents give only the framework of intervals^[5][8]
Check the lubrication condition (lubrication system)CommonPeriodicWhat to checkCentralized lubrication unit, lubrication pump, oil level gauge, oil pressure and oil temperature indicatorsGuidelineThe lubrication system works normally and oil reaches every part reliablyThe Specified Self-Inspection Standard also uses "the lubrication system functions normally and lubrication is reliable" as an acceptance criterion. Continuing to use degraded oil leads to bearing seizure and loss of accuracy from widening clearances (AIDA). The interval is set per model in the manual. It is not among the 6 pre-work inspection items in the law^[6][9]
Check changes in the bottom dead center position, and the static accuracyMechanical pressPeriodicWhat to checkSlide bottom dead center, bolster top surface and slide bottom surfaceGuidelineCheck whether product dimensions drift a lot with operating time or season. If they do, measure the bottom dead center displacement and the accuracyProcedureDo not let air conditioner airflow blow directly on the machine. Stabilize it with warm-up and oil temperature controlAfter start of operation, the bottom dead center drops from thermal expansion of the crankshaft, connecting rod, etc., then rises relative to the base as the frame expands over about 30 minutes. Airflow from heating or cooling shifts it further (AIDA). AIDA recommends an annual accuracy inspection^[10][11](1 source, for reference)
Do a comprehensive inspection and servicing once every 3–5 yearsCommon3–5 yearsWhat to checkWhole machineGuidelineReplace life-limited parts on a plan, before the manufacturer's recommended replacement interval runs outJFMA recommends replacing parts at the manufacturer's recommended replacement intervals, before the wear-out failure period of the bathtub curve begins^[5](1 source, for reference)

📚Sources

Items without a mark are those confirmed by two or more sources from different publishers. Intervals, oil types and values: the specification for each machine takes priority. The text is summarized in Kezuriba's own words.