Are Fanuc Controllers "beter" than the rest

[karlis_m]

I am intending to buy a machine sometime in the future and I attend a techical college. We have an Okuma and another VMC - Taiwan made with a Fanuc controller.

My question is whether there is any technical quality issues involved in different contollers. I understand that any controller can have a lot of options installed - hence the price difference between the different levels.

But at the component level are say Okuma electrical boards - resistors etc
better made than Fanuc. Or is it the software capablities of the controllers?


Regards


Karlis


Melbourne Australia

[StealthDumpKits]

I can say from personal experience that Okuma control replacement parts, options, and service is much more expensive than Fanuc. I prefer the Fanuc software, even though Okuma's may be more advanced in some aspects. Down to the component level, I see no quality difference, but you may find availability is much better on the Fanuc when something does break.

[Rocksalt]

I have several Okuma$ and Fanuc. I cringe at the thought of Okuma failure. Okuma will NOT sell individual parts on their drives. Say you know the power supply is bad on the control board, they will not sell the top board to you. The price of these drives are high in comparison. If you decide to try and buy say.. IGBT's, good luck finding them! About 3 months ago the power supply went out on a dual axis drive on a 4-axis machine. I saw on the top board that a capacitor failed and leaked all over the place. I replaced the cap, cleaned the board and installed it. Working like a charm. Now.. that capacitor cost me a whole whopping .52c. If I had bought a new one it would have been 5K and I would have had to send in the old one. They probably would have replaced all the polarized caps, cleaned the drive and sold it to someone else for 5k....

The Okuma controls we have are nice though...Then again.. with the availability of parts from Fanuc, ease of getting them, I would stick with Fanuc anyday over the rest.

Another note... the newer controls with flat panels are not very durable. Operators are wearing the buttons out in short order. Plastic film or lexan something. They are awefull. Another way to suck you into replacement parts. It's not just Fanuc that have these... Okuma, Mazak, ETC.. I'd take the old style anyday. Maybe there is a workaround I don't know about...

[StealthDumpKits]

As far as the membrane switch panels, Fanuc sells replacement membranes. Pull the panel off, scrape away the old one on the back side, peel the backing off the self adhesive new one, line it up and stick it. Gives you the opportunity to clean your CRT screen and plastic cover on the inside. Makes the machinist think he's got a whole new machine to crash.

[Rocksalt]

Originally Posted by StealthDumpKits As far as the membrane switch panels, Fanuc sells replacement membranes. Pull the panel off, scrape away the old one on the back side, peel the backing off the self adhesive new one, line it up and stick it. Gives you the opportunity to clean your CRT screen and plastic cover on the inside. Makes the machinist think he's got a whole new machine to crash.

hmmm... In looking at the electrical print it shows the flat panel as being FUJI(Mori MF-T-6/MORIC-T6F(16T control?). I could not find a part number like the normal Fanuc stamping. Just above the flat panel is the CRT. It does have the familiar Fanuc A02B-XXXX-XXXX numbers. I have not taken it apart as of yet. Just behind the membrane are led's for when the switches are active. The membrane has worn out in places so much that the led's are not working. I wonder if I will need a new panel as well...

[StealthDumpKits]

I've never done that particular control. The number may be on the back side, you might need to call Fanuc or Mori for the proper PN. Some of our older machines needed a touch-up prior to sale, and a new looking control panel brings top dollar. That and a few days laser calibrating to come up with a clean error report, nyuk, nyuk...

[Bluesman]

Well I have been in this freak show for 26 years I have worked Allen Brad's Millicron's, Indromat, Okuma, Masak, Seimens, Dana Path, Milltronics, Heidenhien(spelling?) and the good ole reliable always there when you need it best buddy, FANUC. I like the Fanuc I think it is the most user freindly of the bunch and with macro B you have no limits. Now granted some of the others are pretty slick I ike the Okuma conversational I think they have the best as far as that goes. But I still do 90% of all programing offline so it is not a big deal maker for me. The Masak has good conversation but you can not convert to G code so you get stuck with all there subrouteines and somtimes it can be a bit slow. Fanuc is the easiest to use and the cheapest to fix. We can do most repairs in are own lab and if not then any electronics suplier can usually repair them. And yest You can buy bits and pieces of wht you need with the FAnuc. Most others you have to replace an enitier servo amp or main CPU when in fact most times and option card or axis card is all you need.
Fanuc is the best control as far as teaching an operator.

Just my viewpoint it does not mean I am right it is just what I am relaying onto you based on years of makin little stuff out of big stuff

Bluesman

[Bear]

Bla,Bla,Bla,
YES!!! Once youve Fanuc , the rest is addons.
Bear

[Al_The_Man]

From my point of view as a retrofitter of Fanuc, Mitsubishi etc, I would much rather integrate a Mitsubishi system over Fanuc, Reasons: Price, Support and Ease of Integration. For the most part they are very closely compatible, operating wise.
I would put Fanuc at the top for the costliest to fix.
Al.

[karlis_m]

I have read the your opinions and experience that you have chosen to share with me. When I buy a machine I think I will be making a better decision having had your input.

Thank You

Karlis

Melbourne Australia