Okuma is a well-known Japanese CNC machine manufacturer celebrated worldwide for the exceptional build quality of its machines. Their CNC machines are well recognized for their high precision and high speed spindles, which help machining shops manufacture various products with tight tolerances in high volumes. Okuma produces both high quality mills and lathes, and their lathe machines have been capable of getting a huge popularity all around the world.
The Okuma lathes are hugely popular among manufacturers of different industries who need turning operations. The popularity has been achieved due to several reasons, and in this blog, we will discuss everything in detail to help you understand what has made the Okuma lathes so popular among machinists.
What Makes the Okuma Lathe So Popular?
Here are the main reasons why Okuma lathes have been capable of being such a popular machine segment all around the world:
- Legendary build quality: The first reason that contributes to the popularity of the Okuma lathe machines is their build quality. They have cast iron frames, which help in decreasing the vibration and maintaining accuracy during CNC machining. They have heavily ribbed frames and robust spindle bearings, and this rigidity of the CNC machines helps them in maintaining better surface finish and longer tool life. Shops that run long cycles of machining notice fewer vibrations on Okuma beds.
- Slanted box bed construction: The foundation of Okuma lathe popularity lies in their signature slanted-box bed design, which provides outstanding dimensional stability and high rigidity. This construction method optimally places the headstock and turret on a box bed, delivering stable machining accuracy even during heavy-duty cutting operations. The slanted-box configuration minimizes thermal deformation and provides superior chip evacuation compared to traditional flat-bed designs.
- Thermo friendly design: The Okuma lathes are made keeping thermal stability in mind. The machines are engineered with strategic placement of heat sources and often thermal compensation built into the control. Rather than fighting thermal expansion, this technology “accepts temperature changes” and maintains stable accuracy in normal factory environments without requiring operator intervention. Stable thermal behaviour keeps the tolerances tighter over longer runtimes and fluctuating ambient temperatures.
- In-house control system: One of the most important reasons behind the popularity of Okuma CNC machines is their proprietary OSP control system. The control system is optimized for the machine’s hardware. They have features like advanced threading cycles, conversational programming, and integrated diagnostics. As the machine and control system are made together in their facility, features like canned cycles, spindle control, and tool management are more seamless than third party retrofits.
- Eco suite plus: The whole world is moving more towards green and sustainable manufacturing, and they’re looking for CNC machines that are energy efficient. The recent Okuma models have regenerative features and more efficient hydraulics. Eco Suite Plus is an energy saving software of Okuma CNC machines that monitors and optimizes power usage, which helps in more sustainable operations.
- Competitive accuracy and surface finish: Accuracy in machining is one of the critical factors that determines the success of a CNC machine’s brand. The CNC lathes of Okuma come with rigid structures, helping in damping the vibration and increasing the accuracy of machining. Different precision components of the CNC machine, like high quality spindles, linear guides, and backlash free turrets, contribute to the superior surface finish of the products machined using Okuma lathes.
- High productivity: The newer models of Okuma lathes are all equipped with different modern technologies like an automatic tool changer of high speed which allows for faster cycle times. Okuma lathes become a well celebrated option for medium or large scale CNC machining shops because they’re able to manufacture products with high precision at a high speed.
- Advanced features for complex turning operations: Most of the Okuma lathes come with different advanced features that help them in performing turning operations of products that have complex shapes and need intricate interior machining. They have features like live tooling, sub-spindles, twin spindle configurations, and c-axis indexing. Some of the advanced models feature Y-axis functionality, which enables complete multitasking with single chucking.
- Superior automation integration: Okuma CNC machines come integrated with different automation features, and some other models are engineered in a way that they can seamlessly get integrated with automation features. Automation features like bar feeders, parts catchers, gantry loaders, and robot cells are available with most of the modern Okuma lathes.
Comparing With Top CNC Lathe Brands:
Here is the comparison of Okuma lathes with other high end brand lathes:
- Vs. Mazak: Both of these companies are known for their high power machining, but Okuma gets an edge for thermal stability features, which helps in maintaining even tighter tolerances.
- Vs. Haas: Haas is a more affordable brand, while Okuma brings more advanced and high end machining features to the table that justify its costs.
- Vs DMG Mori: DMG Mori is the market leader when it comes to technology and innovation, while Okuma’s single source philosophy helps in better integration and is praised for heavy duty machining too.
- Vs. Doosan: Doosan is a more cost effective and reliable brand, while Okuma lathes are more focused on precision and accuracy in machining.
Conclusion:
Okuma lathes are popular due to several reasons, and we discussed all of them with you. Even the older lathes of Okuma in the used CNC machines market have a huge demand due to their longevity and high end performance. So, if you’re interested in buying one, then you must check our collection of used Okuma lathes.
