Inspection report, test cut and warranty
Every machine we sell is checked, cut-tested and documented before it leaves Durban. Every qualifying machine sale includes clear detail on the inspection report, how the sample cut is produced and what the warranty covers.
What is included with the sale
Every pre-owned, ex-demo and refurbished machine comes with an inspection report and a test-cut sample, plus written warranty cover where the listing states it. You must be able to see the machine condition in writing, review a cut result from the machine itself, and know which major items are covered after handover.
The report is prepared from a 40-point workshop check carried out at our Durban base. It covers the table frame, drive motion, torch movement, controller functions, cabling, earthing, air path, consumable condition at test stage, cutting bed wear, and general running behaviour under load. On older units the notes may record cosmetic wear, previous repairs or light corrosion, especially on machines that have spent time near the coast.
- Inspection report with condition notes and identified wear items
- Test-cut sample produced during final run check
- Warranty terms issued in writing for eligible machines
- Advice on power supply, air quality and workshop placement
How the 40-point inspection is carried out
Inspection is carried out as a proper workshop check. The machine is cleaned down enough for proper viewing, covers are opened where needed, motion is run across the working area and key assemblies are examined for play, damage and abnormal noise. If a machine has been refurbished, the report records the practical work done before test cutting.
The check points are grouped so a buyer can read the report without guessing what was actually looked at. Mechanical items cover rails, bearings, gear racks or drive components, gantry straightness, slat bed condition and torch carriage travel. Electrical items cover cabinet condition, wiring tidiness, fans, switches, controller boot-up and e-stop function. Service items include air preparation, earth return arrangement and visible hose or cable wear. A few older machines show honest age but still cut well, and that distinction matters.
- Frame and bed alignment checked across the available cutting area
- X, Y and Z movement tested through full travel where applicable
- Controller screen, inputs and jogging functions verified
- Cable tracks, plugs and torch leads inspected for wear
- Limit switches and emergency stop tested
- Air line condition and regulator operation checked
- Cut file run to confirm stable motion and arc control
From workshop test to handover
Once the inspection stage is complete the machine is run for a test cut. The test cut confirms motion stability, pierce behaviour, cut path tracking and the general state of the table during real work. The sample is kept with the machine file and can be shown with the report before collection, delivery or relocation.
After the cut test, we note any settings used during the run and record any operational limits that a buyer should know about. A pre-owned machine is sold with its actual condition stated clearly. If a machine has a narrower sweet spot on cutting speed, or if the slats are serviceable but not new, that is stated plainly. On qualifying units the warranty document is added to the handover pack before dispatch.
Where we are relocating and recommissioning a machine at your workshop in Durban, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Newcastle or elsewhere in South Africa, we repeat the key running checks after installation so transport issues are picked up before the machine goes into production.
What the warranty covers and what it does not
The warranty applies to the machine as sold. Changes made later by other parties fall outside that cover. Cover is aimed at the core machine systems that were inspected and signed off before sale. The exact term and scope can differ by stock category, so the written document issued with the machine is the one that governs the sale.
In general terms, warranty cover deals with faults in the machine assemblies supplied by us where those faults were not visible wear items already listed on the inspection report. Items that wear during normal cutting work, crash damage, dirty or wet airline issues, poor earthing, unstable incoming power and operator damage are outside normal cover. Consumables are treated as normal wear items, and we do not sell new consumables lines.
- Covered items typically include the machine control and motion systems as stated in writing
- Listed wear items and sold-as-seen defects are excluded
- Cutting performance depends on correct power, clean dry air and correct setup
- Transport damage after third-party handling must be reported against the carrier
What to prepare before delivery or recommissioning
A good machine can be let down by the workshop around it. Before delivery or recommissioning, the floor area should be cleared, reasonably level and large enough for access on all sides needed for servicing. You will also need suitable incoming power, an air supply that is clean and dry, and a safe route into the workshop for offloading. In older industrial areas this part gets missed more often than it should.
If we are moving a machine from one site to another, tell us the bed size, door widths, any mezzanine obstruction, forklift access, and whether there is rust swelling or damage on the slat tray that may affect lifting points. Coastal workshops can hide more corrosion under dust than expected, so proper photos help.
- Clear floor space around the final machine position
- Power supply available and isolated for connection work
- Clean, dry compressed air at the machine location
- Access details for loading and offloading equipment
- Any site rules for vehicle entry, rigging or weekend work
How pricing is worked out and support after handover
The inspection report, test cut and warranty are part of the machine sale where stated on the listing, but pricing still varies by the amount of work required to bring each unit to sale standard. A lightly used ex-demo table with clean rails and tidy electrics will price differently from an older workshop machine that needs strip-down work, replacement motion parts and recommissioning. Relocation, rigging, transport distance and on-site installation are costed separately where needed.
Used spares fitted during refurbishment are priced according to condition and availability, while parts that need replacement are quoted on the basis of the actual machine requirement. There is no flat number that suits every table because machine width, bed length, control age and previous repairs all change the labour involved.
After handover we remain available for practical fault finding, relocation support and spare parts from machines we break, where stock exists. If a machine needs to move from Durban to another province later on, or from inland back to the coast, we can assess it for safe transport and recommissioning. For sale-specific documents or cover terms, use our contact form and quote the stock reference if you have it.
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Questions we get asked
Does every machine get the same inspection?
Each machine goes through the same 40-point structure, but the notes are written for that exact unit. An older table may need more detail on wear, prior repairs or corrosion, while an ex-demo machine may have fewer exceptions.
Will I receive the actual test-cut sample?
The sample cut is produced from the machine during final checking and forms part of the sale record. Depending on collection or delivery arrangements, the physical sample or a clear record of it can be provided with the machine file.
Can you inspect a machine after relocation as well?
When we relocate and recommission a machine, we repeat key running checks on site so transport movement, cable disturbance and setup issues are picked up before the machine goes into production.
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