Resources
Photo Protocol
A photo protocol for South African machine projects, covering the floor, power, access, materials, and faults that need to be seen early.
Images needed before dispatch and install
Photo Protocol sets out which images to take before shipping, before install, and when a fault is being checked on site. For CNC and laser projects in South Africa, that usually means floor area, access route, power supply, machine plates, and the problem area itself.
Photographs for a CNC or laser project need to show the machine area, incoming power point, access doors, and any lifting restrictions. In South Africa that often includes DB boards, trench covers, roller shutter heights, yard access for rigging, and the condition of the slab where the machine will stand. Clear site images reduce guesswork before crating in China and again before the install crew arrives.
Take the first image set before anything is moved or cleaned up, so the original site condition is recorded properly. Include wide shots, then move closer to cable routes, extraction points, compressor position, and any existing machine that must stay in place. When a fault is being checked later, repeat the same angles so changes can be compared against the earlier record.
What each image set must show
A useful photo pack identifies the machine, the location, and the exact area being discussed without extra back and forth. Capture the nameplate, control screen, electrical connections, pallet or crate condition, and the route from truck offload point to final machine position. If damage is present, add close photos of the affected section and one wider image showing where it sits on the machine.
Keep the images grouped by stage: before shipping, before installation, and fault inspection on site. Before dispatch from China, request photos of the machine build, accessories, labels, and packing condition against the approved specification.
- Wide shot of machine location
- Close photo of power connection
- Fault photos with date and angle
Site conditions that matter in SA
Older industrial units around Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town often have tight passages, uneven slab repairs, and power boards that need to be seen before delivery planning is finalised. A phone snapshot of the doorway alone is not enough. Include ceiling height, column spacing, forklift turning room, and the path from gate to machine position.
Coastal installations need images that show rust risk around unpacking and storage areas, especially where sea air reaches open workshop doors. Inland sites should show dust sources near rails, optics, or control cabinets, plus any extraction or air line arrangement. During fault checks, photograph alarms on screen, damaged consumables, and the part being cut or machined when the issue appears.
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Photo pack for fault tracing
Use this photo protocol to send clear site images, timing, machine condition, and any damage or faults already noted. Keep the subject line factual.
When reporting a problem, start with one overall machine photo, then add the control display, the affected assembly, and the finished part or scrap piece. Good fault photos show cable plugs, sensor position, spindle or laser head area, lubrication points, and any visible marking from impact or heat. That record helps separate transport damage, installation issues, and wear from production use.