fanuc vs okuma

[jeep guy]

Ive been running and programming fanuc for 10 years,getting a new job on a Okuma control . How much different are the two

[John_B]

It's been awhile since I've run the Okumas, but they aren't alot different. If you'll be working on the older OSP 5000 series controls, the aggravating thing is that the file format is not DOS compatable, so you have to use the Okuma PC to communicate with the machine and program offline. The Okumas have an icon driven on-machine programming feature (can't remember the name, maybe TM-APT) that is very handy if you can't program offline - very similar to Fanuc's version.


There are some real cool canned cycle features that the Fanucs didn't have when those controls were new, but now they both are pretty much on par.

The twin turret lathes Okuma makes are kinda tricky in getting the turret wait commands in just the right place to avoid bumping turrets, but they cut like raped apes - atleast the LC series machines do.

I have only ran one OSP 7000 series control machine, and only for a short while - but it was just an improvement over the older ones. Their newer stuff though is a total revamp from what I've seen, hopefully somebody running some of those will comment on differences with them.

All in all, Okumas are REALLY nice machines. Well worth the money in my opinion, I think once you get comfortable with the nuances of them you'll really appreciate them.

Rgds,
John B

[GITRDUN]

I cut my teeth on Okuma lathes. Mostly OSP5000 series controls and older, i know nothing of the newer machines. The main differences between Okuma and Fanuc lathes are the canned cycles, not even similar on some older models. One nice thing about Okumas is there is no homeing them out. They always know their position and you cant over travel them in rapid mode, just send it to x40. z40. or whatever you want and it stops on the limit switches and goes to the next program line. No need for reference point returns and such. They are great machines all in all.