Resources
Photo Protocol
A photo checklist for quoting and planning, so floor space, access, power and extraction are properly shown.
How a Photo Protocol helps on site
The Photo Protocol shows exactly what to photograph when you need a quote or installation plan. Clear images of floor space, access points, power connections and extraction points help avoid missed details on site.
Begin with wide photos of the machine in its working area, then move closer to the service points and any fault. Show the router, laser, sheet stock, extraction ducting and the space around the bed so planning is based on the actual workshop. In Somerset West and the Cape, coastal air, dust build-up and power interruptions can all affect what needs to be checked from the images.
The first overview photo matters because it shows access, clearance and where the machine sits in relation to walls and doors. Include one image from each corner if the workshop is tight, plus a photo of the approach for offloading or moving equipment. Those details help separate an installation issue from a machine issue before anyone starts guessing.
Photos that matter for quoting
A useful set usually includes the full machine, the control cabinet, power supply, extraction point and the area where sheets are loaded. Close-up images of the spindle, laser tube, bed surface and damaged components make troubleshooting more accurate. Good lighting and a straight-on angle help more than sending many blurred images.
Use the Photo Protocol before requesting changes to workshop layout, machine placement or service connections. Add a short note with machine type, site address and what each picture is meant to show. If the issue relates to a router, laser or profile cell, include that in the same note so the images can be read in the right context.
- Wide workshop view from each side
- Clear close-up of fault or damage
- Power, extraction and access shown clearly
Workshop details that affect planning
Photographs should show more than the machine alone. Include door widths, turning space, extraction runs, plug points and any obstructions near the install position, especially in shared workshops where routing, laser work and packing happen in one area. A quote or site plan is stronger when these limits are visible from the start.
Cape workshops often need images that reveal ventilation, dust control and exposure to sea air, while inland sites may need closer attention on dust around rails, lenses and covers. If load-shedding protection, backup power or voltage equipment is part of the setup, photograph that as well. These site conditions change how a CNC router or CO₂ laser is assessed.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Image checklist before sending
Photograph the full machine, control box, spindle or laser tube area, bed, extraction, and any damaged or failed part so the fault can be identified properly.
Check that every photo is in focus and taken far enough back to show position, not only the component itself. Label the machine if more than one unit is on site, and include any serial plate or control screen where relevant. When a manager, owner or technician reviews the file later, the picture set should still make sense without extra explanation.