Machining Navi
Vibration is quite common in the world of CNC machine tools. Okuma’s Machining Navi has been developed to determine the optimum cutting parameters with which the machine can eliminate this vibration, thereby saving the operator time and maximising productivity. Okuma has developed Machining Navi, an optional function of the OSP control system that uses sensors or a microphone to monitor vibration. If vibration is detected, the function suggests adjustments to the spindle speed (Machining Navi L-g and Machining Navi M-g) or automatically adjusts the spindle speed and feed rate (Machining Navi M-i NO retrofit). Furthermore, it allows the use of standard tools and, in some cases, avoids additional costs and time wasted by the customer in purchasing special tools.
Thermo-Friendly Concept
We don’t fight thermal deformation; we work with it – that is Okuma’s philosophy. The Thermo-Friendly Concept helps to improve accuracy, save time and reduce scrap rates by controlling what seems uncontrollable.
The Thermo-Friendly Concept was developed right from the outset through the symmetrical design of the machine structure to manage the issue of thermal expansion and address this factor, which cannot be eliminated. The combination of Okuma’s hardware and software ensures extremely accurate thermal compensation. This makes it possible to manage thermal expansion at any time of day, down to 0.1 microns. It also delivers unprecedented dimensional stability for all operations in non-air-conditioned workshops where temperatures can vary by 8° over a 24-hour period. Furthermore, it prevents wasted time – and therefore money – during the machine’s daily set-up.
Okuma’s Thermo-Friendly feature comes as standard on all models.
Collision Avoidance System
As machines become more complex – involving additional rotating axes, automation and constant changes to machine set-ups – there is greater scope for human error.
Our CAS anti-collision system (fitted as standard across the entire MULTUS range) incorporates 3D modelling of our machines down to the smallest detail. It also allows customers to easily import drawings of equipment and tools into the OSP control system to create a fully-fledged virtual machine. The OSP numerical control system virtually simulates the entire process and, in the event of imminent collisions, stops the machine, thereby avoiding the risks of machine downtime and associated service costs.
CAS generates the actual and precise shape of the workpiece during the cycle by continuously updating the new blank, thereby ensuring that the process is always under control and verifying that no interference or collisions occur.
They maximise machine set-up times and allow operators to focus on machining.
It protects the machine from operator errors, even in manual, jog, rapid and MDI modes.
5-axis-auto-tuning
When machining with a 5-axis CNC machine tool, it is common for geometric errors to affect the quality and precision of the workpiece. From the time of installation right through to the machine tool’s ongoing use, it may be necessary to check the kinematics; the most common causes include the machine being out of level on the floor, or – to give another example – minor collisions resulting from operating errors, which can lead to these geometric errors. To maintain a high standard of 5-axis machining, it is therefore necessary to carry out a precise adjustment to compensate for any geometric errors.
With the 5-axis auto-turning function, the machine performs geometric re-calibration quickly and accurately, compensating for up to eleven geometric errors.
The recalibration can be carried out by the operator themselves without requiring a high level of skill in operating the machine, taking just a few minutes rather than hours as it would for an expert technician.
There are 11 possible types of geometric errors on 5-axis machines: displacement of the centre of rotation of the rotating axes, the inclination of the rotating axis relative to the orthogonal axis, thermal deformation and variations over time in the installation environment.
SERVONAVI
Okuma’s SERVONAVI is a high-precision technology that improves cycle times and accuracy during the machining of workpieces. This technology is standard on all Okuma double-column, vertical and horizontal machining centres (excluding the Genos-M). In previous machining centres, it was not possible to vary the actual acceleration under different loads on the table (workpiece, tooling); today, this is possible. SERVONAVI’s automatic weight adjustment function automatically calculates the loads to set the optimum acceleration and deceleration speeds, thereby achieving faster cycle times and making the best use of the electronic and mechanical systems.
It is also possible to automatically adjust the axis reversal to ensure that interpolation remains as precise as possible over time.
The vibrations caused by the linear movement of the axes can be automatically adjusted as the machine’s operating conditions change over time.
The SERVONAVI software is also installed on lathes to automatically manage spindle inertia, ensuring a superb finish on turned surfaces.