What generally does not transfer with the machine
- An organization's ISO 9001, IAQG 9100/AS9100 or ISO 13485 certification.
- Nadcap accreditation, FAA production approval, FDA establishment responsibilities or customer-source approval.
- ITAR registration, EAR authorization, CMMC status or contractual cybersecurity compliance.
- A validated manufacturing, cleaning, packaging or sterilization process without an approved transfer and supporting evidence.
- Software, postprocessor, parameter, program or intellectual-property rights unless the transaction expressly includes transferable rights.
What may have decision value
Configuration records
Machine model, serial, control and software versions, options, axis travels, spindle, probing, filtration and environmental requirements.
Maintenance and repair history
Service reports, spindle or control work, lubrication records, alarms, downtime and replacement components—when complete and authentic.
Calibration and capability evidence
Laser, ballbar, geometric, probing, gage and process-capability records can show prior condition; they do not guarantee performance after transport.
Fixtures, tooling and programs
These may shorten transfer time only when included by contract, compatible with the new configuration and accompanied by the necessary rights and records.
Acceptance criteria
Documented pre-removal and post-installation tests create a common definition of condition and a basis for acceptance.
Utility and facility data
Power, air, coolant, extraction, foundation, temperature and space requirements prevent an apparently suitable machine from becoming an installation problem.
Changes that can trigger new evidence
Relocation, rigging, foundation changes, spindle or control replacement, parameter restoration, software updates, new postprocessors, fixture changes, alternate tooling, coolant changes, revised inspection methods and new outside processors can all alter the production system. The required response may range from a documented check to a new capability study, first article, process validation, customer notice or regulatory assessment.
Buyer due-diligence questions
- What exact model, serial number, control version and included options are being sold?
- Which records are original, complete and tied to this serial number?
- Which programs, fixtures, tooling and software rights are included in writing?
- What pre-removal tests will be witnessed, and what post-installation acceptance criteria apply?
- What utility, foundation, environment, rigging, shipping, installation and training requirements remain?
- Which prior claims describe the former organization or process rather than the machine itself?
- Who owns requalification, first article, validation and customer-notification work after the move?
Seller disclosure questions
Use accurate, supportable language. Identify known defects, missing options and record limitations. Distinguish prior production history from present qualification. If a machine produced aerospace or medical components, say exactly that only when documented; do not convert the history into a claim that the machine is certified, accredited, registered or approved.
Plan the whole move
Machine buying guide
Plan machine identity, condition, contract, total installed cost and acceptance.
Open reference →Rigging directory
Research machine movers and placement planning.
Open reference →Shipping and permits
Plan transport, route, dimensions, securement and state permit requirements.
Open reference →Electrical and power
Verify voltage, phase, load, transformer and facility readiness.
Open reference →Aerospace & defense standards
Review the quality, process, approval, export and cybersecurity designations.
Open reference →Medical-device standards
Review quality, risk, product and process standards for medical production.
Open reference →Primary sources
Source links were checked on 2026-10-07. The controlled standard, recognition record, regulation, contract and regulator remain authoritative.
Independent educational reference: Machine Blue Book is not affiliated with the standards organizations or government agencies named here. This summary is not certification, engineering, regulatory, export-control or legal advice and does not reproduce the requirements of copyrighted standards.