Ship notes
Demo Day
A practical note on machine demo day, from unloading and power checks to the first test run.
A demo can answer more than a brochure ever will, but only if the right cuts, materials and outputs are shown. We often see factory videos that skip the real job the client wants to run. Demo Day is our note for South African buyers checking CNC and laser performance before shipment.
Demo Day is where paper specs meet the machine in front of you. We check the job the buyer wants to run, the sheet or tube being used, and the settings recorded during the cut. If you send an enquiry through our contact form, mention the machine model and the demo note so the right test outputs are followed up.
Cuts and settings to witness
- Power supply and phase confirmed
- Current machine photos from the test bay
- Actual model link and options listed
- SA buyer contact named clearly
Read this note alongside the machine page for the model under review. One shows the equipment and options, while Demo Day focuses on what must be seen before shipment. That includes sample material, operating screens, and the first acceptable output.
From unload to first cut
Demo Day sets out what should happen when the machine reaches site and the practical checks begin. We work through unloading, position, power and the first test run so the South African buyer can see the CNC or laser system in real conditions.
A proper demo starts before the spindle or laser head moves. We look at unloading access, machine position, available power, air supply, extraction, and whether the site can handle the footprint. In Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and outlying industrial areas, those basics often decide whether the first run is useful or misleading.
Test pieces should match the buyer's work, not a generic sample chosen by the factory. Mild steel thickness, stainless finish, aluminium grade, board type, tube size, or engraving depth all change what must be checked. Photos and readings taken at this stage help when the machine lands in South Africa and the same job is repeated.
Records that matter later
The useful takeaway is not a sales slide. It is the machine identity, options fitted, test files used, settings shown on screen, and the output that passed inspection. That record helps during shipping, install, and after-sales when the same machine is being referenced across China and South Africa.
Before the machine leaves China, compare the demo record against the order list and tooling supplied. Check that chucks, lenses, extractor items, controller details, and any listed extras appear in the package. Sourcing requests should cover the machine type, the controller you prefer and the port or town it must reach.
- Sample matched to production work
- First approved output photographed clearly
- Demo results sent by email
Load-shedding, dust and salt air
Receiving conditions in South Africa are rarely identical from one workshop to the next. Older buildings may have limited door height, uneven slabs, weak lighting, or a supply that needs checking before a CNC or laser cell is energised. OR Tambo timing, warehouse cut-offs, and site access windows can also affect how installation is planned after arrival.
Coastal humidity around Durban and Cape Town can change how stored materials behave before a test. Inland dust on the Highveld can affect rails, covers, filters, and sensors if housekeeping is poor. Load-shedding and generator use also matter, so the first accepted part should be tied to the power conditions present during the run.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Demo sheet before dispatch
A practical note on machine demo day, from unloading and power checks to the first test run.
Write issues down while the machine is still in front of the operator. A short same-day record of alarms, edge quality, cut speed, pierce results, and missing items is easier to use than memory later on. Keep it with the order file and machine documents for shipment, install, and handover.