A Low-Risk Way To Take Control of Your Machine Tool

Brandon Glenn


It’s new. It’s here. It’s high performance and low risk — and everything else a CNC control should be.

Since its launch, the Okuma OSP-P500 has taken the manufacturing world by storm. Built on the decades-long foundation of our popular OSP control technology, this next-generation version has enhanced power and operability, as well as a sleek new look. The aesthetic upgrade to our operator panel doesn’t make the machining performance better — that’s the job of the control’s dual-core processor — but it does make setups, safety verification, programming, and inspections easier.

If you find yourself asking, “Is the OSP-P500 control right for my shop?” or “Is it easy to use?”, the answer is yes. OSP-P500 is truly a no-brainer for shops in all industries that require smart, secure, high-speed machining and want to achieve the best results, always. It’s the next-generation innovation of the reliable Okuma-designed-and-built OSP family.

And if you’re accustomed to the features, functions, and fundamentals of the Okuma OSP-P300, keep reading to see how making the switch to our newest control isn’t just straightforward … it’s seamless. Shops with the OSP-P300 can run on the same logic, programming, and applications as the OSP-P500.

What Does“Low Risk” Mean?

With the OSP-P500, the meaning of “low risk” is twofold:

  • Unlike many other machine tool manufacturers, we build our own machine control and have done so from the very beginning. That means we can ensure harmony between machine and control for optimal performance. They’re simply designed to work together. If the control needs adjustments or repairs, you won’t risk delays or inefficiencies that often occur when a third party is responsible for engineering the control. We can take care of what’s needed because we have dedicated service and support personnel who are trained to make swift, corrective adjustments. We also offer extended warranty plans on our OSP control for additional peace of mind.
  • If you’re an Okuma customer with existing OSP-P300 programs, knowledge, and experience, making the switch is easy — or low risk. There’s no steep learning curve or deep understanding needed to transition from one to the other. Any OSP-P300 program will run on OSP-P500. So, current processes that rely on P300 programs can be performed with the new control. And, if you add an Okuma with OSP-P500 to your lineup with OSP-P300, programs can switch flawlessly between the two controls.



What’s New With the Okuma OSP-P500?

  • Machines are meant to cut metal with tight tolerances and precision. With the Okuma OSP-P500, they can do it better. This new control comes with a dual-core processor that increases processing power so multiple intelligent technologies and monitoring systems run simultaneously.
  • The OSP-P500 has a brand-new look. It’s easy to understand why many Okuma customers and industry leaders are excited about the hardware upgrades just as much as the software upgrades. In part, it’s because the full-color touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, and space-saving design reflect the cutting-edge abilities of the technology itself. All of this, and more, adds a layer of sophistication to machine tools that can truly do it all.
  • Enhanced data collection capabilities with added sensors help operators know what their machines are doing, and when. Extra data points, insights, and analytics can identify inefficiencies, like downtime, and help machinists prescribe steps for machining optimization.
  • In previous versions of the OSP control, the pulse control handle was attached to the machine tool in a way that limited operator movement. With the OSP-P500, the pulse handle is separate for greater mobility and flexibility when operators use it. It can also be attached anywhere.
  • While functionalities remain similar, sequencing may be different. You might find an added step when editing a program, or an eliminated step when transferring a workholding component, but the results will be no different.
  • The new, sleek keyboard and screen design, especially now that there are two different size configurations (15 and 21.5 inches), means that there are more soft, touchscreen keys, as well as a few buttons that have been repositioned for optimal ease of use.



What (Else) Stays the Same?

  • The Windows®-based open architecture platform remains the same. The open architecture of Okuma OSP controls removes the barriers and limitations of many proprietary CNC control systems, providing a user-friendly platform for customization and available upgrades for greater flexibility and performance. This also means users and operators can access all areas of the control, monitoring and adjusting as needed based on data that’s collected and processed. Windows-based programs are completely compatible with the machine — there’s no limit to what can be created.
  • Countless functions are available and almost identical in how they’re performed:
    • Soft jaw machining: Producing customizable workholding with minimal operator involvement in just a few minutes is still available with the new Okuma OSP-P500. This function checks each component as work is completed.
    • Program editing: All G-codes within machines can be edited with the OSP-P500’s program editing function. Functions like find/replace, copy/paste, A/B divide, and quick edit make manufacturers more efficient.
    • Workpiece transfer: This tool allows operators to account for all values before a transfer is initiated, including workpiece stop, access position, spindle alignment, torque skip distance, and feedrate.
    • Finding and uploading manuals: Access pre-installed machine manuals or upload third-party PDFs directly onto machines as needed with a USB drive.
  • Just like the OSP-P300, this new control enables easy connectivity for the integration of factory floor and business communications channels. And it increases lifetime ROI by allowing for the addition of new capabilities over time so costly CNC control overhauls are avoided.


The Control You Know and Trust, Now Even Better

When shops add a machine with the Okuma OSP-P500 control to their operations, our distributors and support personnel can help operators understand what’s new, what’s the same, and what’s different compared to the OSP-P300, and help operators use the control’s full capabilities. Stay tuned for upcoming training videos, too.

The Okuma OSP-P500 checks all the boxes. Trust us when we say it looks great in person. And you can see it, demo it, and understand why it’s the solution your shop needs at IMTS 2024.

To learn more about this control, please visit okuma.com/cnc-osp-p500.

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