Buying a used Bottero Pratica Plus (CNC work centre for flat glass – profiling, drilling, edging, polishing, cutting) is a specialized and somewhat high-risk purchase. Because glass machining involves precision, exposure to coolant / water / abrasive dust, and many moving subsystems, you need to inspect many details carefully. Below is a detailed checklist and caution list tailored to the Pratica Plus line (drawing from Bottero’s own specs and typical use).

What the Pratica Plus is / what it should be able to do

Here are some reference specs & features (so you know what to expect) from Bottero documentation:

• The Pratica Plus variant is offered in sizes: 2500, 3300, 4000 (glass sheet dimensions).
• Standard operations include: milling on the glass sheet (linear / curved paths), edge polishing / edging (straight / curved), drilling / countersinking (perpendicular), underside drilling, writing / drawing on the surface.
• The machine structure: a steel base, mobile beam / bridge carrying the machining head, electro-spindle (often with tool cooling and pressurized circuit), vacuum clamping system (suction cups) on a smooth work table (no grooves) with retractable stops, tool magazine (fixed or retractable depending on variant).
• The spindle is “pressurized” (to prevent ingress of dust / coolant) and cooled/ventilated.
• Tool magazine options: fixed for smaller models, retractable / mobile magazine in larger variants.
• The vacuum / suction cup clamping is crucial; many suction cup variants (diameters ~ 65, 90, 120, 160 mm) are used, with symmetric cups usable in either direction (“upside-down”) depending on configuration.
• Additional optional modules: C-axis rotation, bevel cutting, matrix table (for faster positioning of stops / suction cups), tool head dressing, laser presetter, shape scanner, remote pendant, etc.

Because of these capabilities, the machine is relatively complex. Let’s break down what you must check when evaluating a used one.

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Checklist: What to Inspect, Test & Verify

Below is a comprehensive checklist (mechanical, electronic, functional, consumables) you should go through on-site (or demand evidence) before buying:

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Structural, Frame & Geometry

• Machine base & frame integrity
    – Look for cracks, distortions, weld repairs, twisted structure, or sag in the bridge or beam.
    – Check that the machine is properly leveled and mounted (or was).
• Bridge / mobile beam & head carrier alignment
    – Move the machining head / bridge along X / Y and see if there are binding zones, increased friction, or uneven resistance.
    – Use a straightedge, laser line, or reference bars to check that the beam stays straight, with minimal deflection across the span.
• Work table & support surface
    – The work table is smooth (no grooves) to allow free arrangement of suction cups and stops. Check for wear, flatness, corrosion, pitting. Bottero’s design uses a smooth table so suction cups can be repositioned arbitrarily.
    – Check the stops (telescopic stops) that position the glass sheets—are they retractable, aligned, and smooth?
• Suction / vacuum zones & piping
    – Inspect vacuum lines, connectors, seals, buffer / vacuum tank, pumps. The vacuum system must maintain good vacuum even in fluctuations. The specification mentions a buffer tank to compensate for vacuum drops.
    – Check if the vacuum cups themselves show wear, leakage, cracks, or sealing problems.
• Material choice in wet zones
    – Bottero states that parts in contact with water are made from stainless steel (to resist corrosion).
    – Check for rust, corrosion, galvanic damage, or degraded joints in those wet / coolant-exposed areas (spindle housing, head, wiring in wet zones).

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Motion Systems, Axes, Drives & Spindle

• Axis motion (X, Y, Z, and possibly C if equipped)
    – Jog axes slowly across full travel; feel for smoothness, stiction, sticking zones, friction changes.
    – Reverse direction and check for backlash, hysteresis, or dead zones.
    – Use a precision reference (dial indicator, laser interferometer) to check linear positional accuracy across travel (straightness, linear deviation).
• Ball screws / drive trains
    – Inspect screw threads (where accessible), nuts, couplings for wear, pitting, abrasion.
    – Listen and feel during motion—roughness or noise may hint at deterioration.
    – Ensure that coupling between motor and screw is not loose, misaligned, or has wobble.
• Spindle & electro-spindle
    – Run the spindle at multiple speeds; listen and feel for bearing noise, vibration, hums, grinding.
    – Mount a test bar or precision reference and measure radial / axial runout.
    – Operate long enough to warm it up, then check bracket / spindle housing temperature—excessive heat is a red flag.
    – Examine spindle nose / taper / tool interface surfaces for wear, corrosion, or damage.
    – Check the pressurized circuit (if present) that keeps dust/coolant out of bearings; damaged seals or pressure circuits are dangerous.
• Tool magazine / tool changer
    – Cycle tool changes many times; detect misindexing, delays, jamming, failures to clamp / release.
    – Inspect magazine rails, sensors, grippers, sensors, switches, motor drives.
    – If the machine has a retractable magazine (in larger variants), test extension / retraction mechanism.
• Optional axes / C-axis (if installed)
    – If the unit has rotary axis or interpolation (C), test its motion, backlash, repeatability.
    – Test it under combined motion (milling + rotation) to verify the path interpolation works reliably.

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Clamping, Vacuum & Sheet Handling

• Vacuum clamping
    – Test whether the vacuum properly holds glass sheets (simulate with a dummy plate). See if vacuum loss, leakage, or poor sealing occurs.
    – During machining, ensure the sheet does not shift or vibrate under machining load.
• Stops / reference elements
    – Check telescopic stops (mechanism, alignment, smoothness).
    – See whether stop positions are repeatable and accurate.
• Suction cup arrangement flexibility
    – Because the work table is smooth (no grooves), cups and stops must be repositionable. Check whether the vacuum circuits for cups and stops are intact and functioning.
• Vacuum pump & buffer system
    – Verify vacuum pump capacity, its health, buffer tank (if installed) operation (i.e. small power drops should not immediately drop vacuum).
    – Inspect for leaks, old / cracked piping, and insufficient vacuum retention.

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Control / Electronics / Software

• Power-up & diagnostics
    – Observe startup: are there error messages, missing modules, I/O faults, warnings?
    – Test control responsiveness, HMI, touchscreen / keyboard, backup / restore functionality.
• Motion commands, interpolation & complex paths
    – Run machining programs with curves, multiple axes, path interpolation (milling + engraving + edge finishing).
    – Test tool change macros, path simulation, collision avoidance, lookahead.
• Encoder / feedback / sensor wiring
    – Check encoder cables, shielding, connections for wear, looseness, corrosion.
    – During movement, test for feedback signal dropouts or noise.
• Software / parameters / backups
    – Confirm that the control parameters, tool tables, compensation tables, calibration arrays are backed up and restorable.
    – Check software version, custom patches, whether the software has modifications / updates.
• Safety & interlocks
    – Test emergency stop, door guards, safety fences, interlock circuits.
    – Open guard doors (safely) and confirm machine stops motion where required.

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Operational & Functional Testing

• Test part processing
    – Run real or representative glass processing tasks (profiling, drilling, edge finishing, polishing) under user conditions.
    – Monitor for vibration, chatter, dislodgement of workpiece, quality of surface finish, dimensional accuracy.
    – After machine is stable (warm-up), re-measure previously machined parts to see drift or deviation.
• Edge finishing, polishing ability
    – Since edge finishing and polishing are often weaker points, pay special attention to the quality of edge polish, curve transitions, consistency over long runs.
    – For curved edges: check acceleration transitions, smoothness, waviness.
• Drilling on both faces (top / underside)
    – If the machine supports underside drilling, test that functionality and verify alignment, tool engagement, and positional accuracy.
• Long run / stability test
    – Run the machine for an extended period under typical use. Observe whether errors accumulate, thermal drift, changes in precision.
    – After warm-up, re-check reference positions.
• Tool dressing / wheel dressing systems
    – If equipped, test the dressing of drill bits or polishing wheels (automatic dressers). Verify correct alignment, repeatability, wear.

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Maintenance History, Uses & Wear Background

• Ask for year of manufacture, serial number, hours of operation (if logged), and production cycle counts.
• Request maintenance / service logs: parts replaced (spindles, guides, seals, vacuum pumps, electronics).
• Ask whether collisions, crashes, or power failures have occurred.
• Ask about the working environment: was the machine used in a clean, temperature/humidity-controlled facility, or in dirty, wet, or aggressive environments?
• Ask about retrofits, upgrades, or modifications (e.g. replaced spindle, updated electronics, added axes).
• Check wear on easily replaced items: suction cups, seals, belts, piping, hoses, vacuum system parts.

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Spare Parts, Support & Documentation

• Confirm whether Bottero (or its distributors) still supports the Pratica Plus line, and whether spare parts are available for spindles, vacuum pumps, electronics, tool magazine parts, etc.
• Obtain all documentation: operation manual, maintenance manuals, electrical schematics, spare parts lists, parameter backups, software license, calibration / compensation data.
• Request any spare modules, backup electronics, or consumables the seller may have.
• Ask whether service / support or trained technicians are available in your region (or Europe / Turkey).

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Shop / Infrastructure / Facility Compatibility

• Ensure your shop’s electrical supply (voltage, phases, current capacity) matches the machine’s requirements.
• Good grounding, clean power, noise suppression are important (electronics + motion control are sensitive).
• Floor / foundation: the machine must be anchored on a stable, rigid, flat floor to avoid vibration or deflection.
• Clearance / space: ensure full movement, maintenance access, loading / unloading of large glass sheets.
• Chip / coolant / water handling: the machine will use coolant and wash / rinse flows. Ensure drainage, filtration, water recirculation, waste water treatment, and corrosion control.
• Environmental control: humidity, temperature stability, dust control are useful for maintaining precision.
• Safety: guards, interlock systems, emergency stops, enclosures must meet your local regulations.

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Pricing, Negotiation & Risk Mitigation

• Estimate cost of wear items / repairs (vacuum pump reconditioning, spindle bearing replacement, guide rework, electronics repair) and deduct from asking price.
• Insist on a trial / acceptance clause: allow setting up your own test tasks after installation to verify performance.
• Request that the seller include documentation, software backups, spare parts, tooling.
• Bring an expert (especially in glass processing / CNC glass machines) with you during inspection.
• Factor in rigging, transport, foundation, leveling, installation, and calibration costs into total acquisition cost.
• If possible, tie part of payment to performance outcomes (e.g. “if runs within ±X tolerance for X hours, final payment released”).

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Red Flags / Deal Killers

Here are conditions that should make you walk away (or demand huge discount):

• Vacuum / suction cup system in very poor condition (leaks, non-holding, cracked or missing cups).
• Spindle with excessive noise, wear, or poor runout / overheating.
• Axis motion with binding, “sticky” zones, or inconsistent friction along travel.
• Tool magazine / changer failures, indexing errors, jamming, misalignment.
• Control electronics with error logs, missing modules, corrupt software, no backups.
• Missing documentation (wiring, parts lists, software license, calibration data).
• Parts / spares for the Pratica Plus line not available or extremely expensive.
• Excessive corrosion, rust, water damage, or mechanical wear in structural / wet areas.
• Poor working environment history (e.g. constant water spray, acidic coolant, lack of maintenance).
• The seller refuses to let you run the machine or perform full tests.