What is THINC?
THINC is - The Intelligent Numerical Control

Why did Okuma develop THINC?
Okuma believes that the classic model of CNC design, implementation, and use is obsolete. The time has come for a monumental shift in the industry in all three of these areas. This shift is based on a few basic precepts.

1. Do not invent that which already exists. (Hardware & Software)
2. Use some technical and business insight into what is possible today and what will be possible in the future.
3. The computational power exists today to allow the machine tool control to be more interactive in the manufacturing and business environment.
4. The computational power exists today to allow the machine tool control to make smart decisions independent of human input.
5. Open this capability to the end user independent of involvement by Okuma - move the machine and end user toward autonomy.

How is THINC intelligent?
Intelligent by Design.
THINC is a fluid platform on which to grow with emerging technology even after a machine is on the factory floor

1. The Motherboard - built on world standards and off the shelf hardware & software (do not invent what already exists)
1. the motherboard runs all aspects of the machine - real time motion & PLC as well as all Windows applications
2. this motherboard is a true PC compatible - applications which will run on a standard desk top PC will run on THINC - the advantage is flexibility to configure operating environment to meet the end users needs
3. this philosophy is in contrast to all other control manufacturers who dictate the possible operating environment based on their conception not the end user
2. Fluid Platform - a single processor solution remains technically current by swapping one board - the control will grow with new technology - it becomes more intelligent even after it is on the factory floor - advantage is the control is not frozen and obsolete the day the customer takes delivery
3. Memory - 512 MB of RAM which can be upgraded to 1 GB independent of Okuma - 40 GB hard drive - 15 GB of program storage capacity - largest program size with subroutine calls and program loops is 15 GB - advantage is elimination of expensive memory options and the ability to upgrade off the shelf independent of Okuma
4. Ethernet - THINC is a compatible PC - Ethernet is standard and the setup procedure and operation is identical to any other PC - advantage is easy integration to factory floor and corporate communication for paperless environment and data acquisition
5. USB - THINC incorporates 2 USB ports at the motherboard - Okuma uses one for internal communication including 2 ports at the operators panel for customer use - the second USB port on the motherboard is for customer use - advantage is easy integration of computer and industrial peripherals

Intelligent by Application
As computational power continues to increase and costs decrease, machine tools will become more intelligent - more flexible, more adaptive to changing conditions and requirements, more fault tolerant, easier to program and use - in short, more productive independent of human intervention.

1. This ever increasing intelligence will evolve in incremental steps
2. Okuma has developed a policy aimed at empowering our customers to take advantage of the developments of "smart machining" independent of Okuma
3. Contributions to this process will come from a variety of sources
1. The task is too big for one company
2. The creativity and ingenuity will come from small & big companies & from academia
4. A truly open & fluid platform will allow the end user to take advantage of new capabilities as they become available from various sources without an entire CNC overhaul resulting in a distinct competitive advantage.

How is THINC different from CNC?
CNC capability is frozen and obsolete the day the customer takes delivery
THINC will grow with technology allowing it to adapt to changing customer requirements
CNC design is a reflection of the customers needs as perceived by a corporate development organization.
THINC can be customized by the end user to meet his needs

What is the current THINC specification?
OS: Windows 2000 Professional, SP4
CPU: 1.6GHz Pentium M
RAM: 184 pin DDR SDRAM DIMM (DDR333 / PC2700) w/ECC 512 MB standard / 1 Gigabyte Maximum
LAN: 10/100/1000Mbit
USB: v2.0 on board PCMB, v1.1 supported via ranger; 2 ports at PCMB (one used), 2 ports at hub (all open, by default)
Hard Disk: 40GB
Video: Intel 82852/82855 64MB; Analog signal out, converted to digital for THINC display; Max resolution limited by display to 800x600

Can memory be increased independent of Okuma?
Of course - the THINC motherboard comes with 256 MB of memory standard and can be increased to 1 GB