Keeping an eye on a CNC or other machine through a new program, a fragile setup, a risky material or a tool near the end of its life. Babysitting ties up a person who could be doing something else, so the goal is to make the process robust enough to walk away from. Overnight lights-out running is the opposite of babysitting.
I've got to babysit the Haas till that deep pocket's done, the chips keep packing and it'll snap the endmill.
Also heard as
- watch it run
Related terms
Button pusher
Dismissive name for a CNC operator who loads parts and presses cycle start but does not set up or program.
Prove out
To run a new CNC program cautiously the first time, watching every move to catch errors before they crash.
Making chips
Shop phrase for machines actually cutting metal, the productive part of the day as opposed to setup.
Feed hold
The CNC button that stops axis motion instantly while the spindle keeps running.