Introducing connect plan lite, a free demo version of Okuma’s robust connect plan platform.

Free app gives machine shops an entry-level platform to preview real-time machine tool data directly on the machine’s control unit.

Okuma America Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC machine tools, announces the launch of it’s new, free app, Connect Plan lite, designed to give machine shop personnel an entry-level platform that enables them to view select machine tool data sets and evaluate machine health and performance levels. The app is available as a free download on Okuma America’s app store – MyOkuma.com. Connect Plan lite is easy to install, no network is required, and it can be run on any Okuma machine equipped with the OSP 300 or later machine control model.

Many manufacturers today have heard about the benefits of connectivity but have yet to implement this technology within their shops. Connect Plan lite affords manufacturers the ability to preview real-world health and performance data derived from one of the Okuma machine tools directly on their shop floor. Equipped with that data, shop owners can optimize machine tool processes within their operation.
Connect Plan lite displays a sample of the types of data that can be viewed on one machine, over a limited time frame, therefore operating as a “test drive” of the more comprehensive Connect Plan platform. The goal is to enable shops to visualize the kinds of actionable productivity insights they can discover by leveraging data and ultimately connectivity.

The Connect Plan lite app is the stand-alone (non-networked), single-machine version of Okuma’s flagship Connect Plan product, an affordable system that provides data collection and reporting capabilities for up to 30 connected (networked) Okuma machine tools. With Connect Plan lite, data is collected and presented on the machine control in real-time and offers an attractive visual depiction of machine health.

The types of data and information presented include:

• Factory monitoring (visual depiction of machining statuses and performance levels across the shop floor)
• Operating reports per machine (including run time, alarm time and stop time)
• Alarm history per machine
• Machining reports per job (including run time, operating time and cutting time)

Okuma has developed the OSP-AI Diagnostics Technology system as a practical application of AI (artificial intelligence) for machine tools, an enhancement of its Intelligence Technology.

OSP-AI is a technology that self-diagnoses machine abnormalities to determine the status of feed axis conditions that are often difficult even for veteran maintenance personnel to identify. It is based on a sophisticated knowledge of basic mechanical properties, and with Deep Learning-infused artificial intelligence it provides highly-reliable self-diagnostics.

AI has been incorporated into machine tool CNC systems for the first time in the world, and different lamp colors are displayed for normal and abnormal diagnostic results. Different lamp sizes also make it easy to determine different diagnostic certainty levels. This enables beneficial, preventive maintenance that doesn’t require expert knowledge or special measuring devices.

The latest addition to Okuma’s MULTUS U Series of highly regarded intelligent multitasking machines is the MULTUS U5000, which boasts powerful machining of mid-to-large size components.

To meet the demand in the growing multitasking machine market, the MULTUS U5000 uses a class-strongest turning spindle with output of 37 kW and torque of 1,413 N-m. This capacity is displayed in the powerful cutting of mid-to-large size components, especially those with shaft-like shapes, and difficult-to-cut materials.

Throughput is increased with process-intensive machining that goes beyond current typical turn/mill machines: Turn-Cut for peripheral boss and slope-hole turning in the same process, and gear cutting by skiving and hobbing.

With the “OSP suite” monozukuri control onboard, shop floor optimization and productivity improvements are achieved with shop-floor-ready IoT technology and intelligent technology.

The MULTUS U Series meets demands for advanced manufacturing with IoT technology. They are the ultimate multitasking machines, meeting all the demands for high accuracy, high rigidity, high performance, and integrated operations in the globally expanding multitasking machine market.

Okuma has developed the GA26W and GP26W cylindrical grinders with wheelhead traverse systems that improve ease of use in small footprints. These high-precision cylindrical grinders improve productivity in a wide range of applications from high-mix, low-volume manufacturing to mass production.

The GA26W and GP26W were developed to provide stable grinding accuracy, space savings, “changeless setup,” and better ease of use.

The Okuma-developed non-round plain bearing (hydrodynamic wheel spindle) enables both heavy-duty and highly accurate grinding to achieve stable high precision over the long term. The GA26W and GP26W boast high floor-space productivity thanks to a compact design with a machine width of 2,510-mm, the narrowest in the class. With the use of a new NC tailstock, they can respond flexibly to high-mix workpiece jobs. Ease of use is improved even further with the new OSP-P300GA CNC that allows multi-touch operation and the GAP interactive programmer.

The GA26W and GP26W grinders deliver high floor-space productivity, ease of use, high accuracy and high reliability, contributing to improved productivity in globally increasing automobile and mass production parts manufacturing.

Okuma welcomes Blaser Swisslube, metalworking fluid solutions provider for CNC machine tools, to Partners in THINC.

Okuma America Corporation, a world-leader in CNC machine tools announces that Blaser Swisslube, a leading supplier of CNC machine tool metalworking fluid solutions, has joined Partners in THINC. Blaser Swisslube, founded in 1936, is a globally active company that is represented in approximately 60 countries. They develop and produce high-quality cutting and grinding fluids that enable customers to successfully produce a wide range of products.

“The addition of Blaser Swisslube provides insight into the advantages of using the right coolant for a particular application. Coolant is a necessary element for longer tool life and reduced part distortion due to heat. While these are key benefits of machining fluids, proper selection also provides improved surface finish and chip evacuation, higher chip removal rates and improved health of the machinist and machine. Coolant isn’t simply discolored water anymore,” says Jeff Estes, director, Partners in THINC.

Blaser Swisslube’s goal is to optimize its customers’ manufacturing processes by enabling machine tool users to fully maximize the potential of their machines and tools. The company’s Liquid Tool improves economic efficiency and productivity as well as machining quality. Blaser Swisslube solutions are backed by a long history of customized services, skilled experts and deep experience in the metalworking industry.

Members of Partners in THINC provide superior technologies that are integrated with Okuma’s CNC machines and controls to deliver advanced manufacturing system solutions.

Versatile CNC horizontal lathe efficiently turns and mills pipe-type products.The LB3000 EX-II is Okuma’s premier 1-saddle lathe. It’s available with milling function and Y-axis capabilities and features an optional extended bed length that is 30 percent longer on the L, M and MY models. The LB-EX platform is well-known for its speed, accuracy, and reliability which enable a variety of configurations and allows the machine to be used for many industries, including oil and gas. AT IMTS 2016 this machine will be shown cutting a gear ring.

Built with Okuma’s box slant-bed design, the LB provides unsurpassed rigidity and extreme thermal stability which is especially important when used in facilities with uncontrolled environmental conditions.

This 2-axis CNC lathe is the largest horizontal lathe in Okuma’s Affordable Excellence collection of machines and is equipped with Okuma’s high power, high torque PREX motor, delivering high quality machining for heavy to high-speed cutting. This versatile machine provides the capacity to efficiently turn and mill pipe-type products with a through-hole diameter that can accommodate larger work pieces. It’s also available in two bed lengths.

The spindle design allows flexibility of feeds and speeds to cut workpieces of a variety of materials and yields excellent surface finish and impressive metal removal rates.

The combination of speed and power on the MA-12500HW is well suited for large part aerospace machining.

The hallmark of the MA-12500HW is its ability to provide a good balance of speed and cutting power for machining difficult-to-machine materials, cast iron and aluminum alloys. This makes it well suited for large part aerospace machining. The W-axis allows for a longer tool stroke to machine complex, difficult to reach part features. It has a maximum tool length of 1,100 mm. At IMTS 2016 the MA-12500HW will be shown with the new W-axis option and in skeleton form. It will feature a cutting simulation of a steel construction frame.

Key Features of Okuma’s MA-12500HW Horizontal Machining Center Built on an integral bed and base, and designed with reinforcing ribs for increased stability and load carrying capacity, the MA-12500H incorporates Okuma’s exclusive Thermo-Friendly Concept to achieve maximum thermal stability and accuracy. Standardly-equipped with a 50 taper 6,000 rpm, 60/50 horsepower spindle, it is also available with either a 12,000 rpm wide range spindle or 4,500 rpm heavy duty spindle.

• Maximum load capacity of 11,000 pounds
• Rapid traverse (X, Y, Z) of 1,653 ipm
• Maximum part size: 78.72” diameter x 58.07” high
• Axis travels: X-86.61”, Y-58.07”, Z-64.96”
• .001 degree B-axis rotary table
•  49.21” square pallet
• • Parallel-type 2 pallet APC
• • 81 tool matrix ATC standard, up to 171 tool matrix optional

Okuma’s “UNIVERSAL CENTER MU-4000V-L” 5-axis vertical machining center with turning function received one of the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s (Business & Technology Daily News) 2015 Best 10 New Product Awards. Best 10 New Product Awards are given to selected products for their contributions to the development of manufacturing and the strengthening of Japan’s international competitiveness. Winners are chosen from among all products developed and in practical use in a given year. This is Okuma’s twelfth product to receive a Best 10 New Product Award.

The MU-4000V-L completely integrates turning, grinding, and gear cutting in high-speed, high-accuracy 5-axis machining. It is a 5-axis machining center that leads the IoT age. High-dimensional process-intensive machining with a high-speed, high output spindle, turning capacity equivalent to that of a medium-sized lathe, grinding, gear skiving and more results in shorter lead times in the machining of complex shapes.

The MU-4000V-L is equipped with the OSP suite monozukuri controller that leads the IoT age. In addition to coordination with production control systems and CAM simulators, it records information including the load, vibration, and pressure on each axis with a “monitoring function” that visualizes and logs utilization status, as well as flow sensor signals and worker operation information. This makes it possible to track and analyze production processes.

The MU-4000V-L is a next-generation 5-axis machine developed by Okuma, Your Single Source for M-E-I-K (Mechanics – Electronics – IT – Knowledge).

The “OSP suite,” a next-generation intelligent CNC that optimizes “monozukuri” (craftsmanship-based industrial manufacturing), is now available in an operation panel with a 15-inch monitor for all Okuma lathes and machining centers.

The large 19-inch monitor developed to showcase the “OSP suite” and equipped to Okuma multitasking machines and 5-axis machining centers was launched at JIMTOF 2014 (Japan International Machine Tool Fair). Okuma’s latest control has since been well received and promoted by industry experts as “digital monozukuri” that is a perfect fit for IoT (the Internet of Things).

The more compact “OSP suite (15-in. ver)” was developed for a wide range of Okuma machine tools. It can be equipped to all of our lathes and machining centers and provide even more productivity required by competitive “monozukuri” shops everywhere.

Okuma’s PALLETACE enhances productivity and CNC machining capabilities for L&R Precision Tooling, Inc.

Okuma customer L&R Precision Tooling, Inc. has invested in their future with a PALLETACE flexible manufacturing system (FMS) integrated with three Okuma MB-4000H horizontal machining centers. As a busy CNC job shop serving the aerospace, medical and energy industries, they handle a wide variety of jobs that involve complex, tight tolerance parts cut from exotic and difficult to machine metals. The integrated machining center and FMS system provide flexibility that enables them to be more proactive and reactive to customer needs. “We don’t think you have to grow or die. But you do have to improve or die. Our PALLETACE system from Okuma allows us to do that,” states Clay Leath, President, L&R Precision Tooling.

The FMS reduces set up time and change overs allowing L&R to take on repeat orders while accommodating schedule and quantity changes. This advanced CNC machining technology also enables shorter lead times, competitive pricing and lights-out manufacturing for increased productivity. Since acquiring the PALLETACE L&R has more than doubled their warehouse square footage in addition to increasing their workforce by 45 percent.