Your Gateway to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Okuma introduced our first OSP numerical control in 1963. We stake no claim to OSP being the first ever machine tool control, but pretty close. John T. Parsons at MIT and the US Air Force get the credit for that. In the 1950’s they used the first punched cards to electromechanically interpolate a machine tool. It’s an interesting story. Google it if you get some quiet time during the holidays.

Okuma was one of the first machine tool builders to recognize the importance of numerical control to precision machining, and proceeded to develop our own CNC control that was perfectly matched to our machine tools. The motors, the drives, and the encoders for feedback are just as important now, if not more, as are the iron and steel that they move with the highest possible accuracy, precision, and repeatability.

Mechanical, Electronics & Software – Perfectly Tuned

For 50+ years of CNC control development, Okuma has embraced the concept of Mechatronics to provide machines and controls perfectly tuned to one another for the benefit of our users. This means the mechanical system, electronics and software are all expertly crafted to work together, eliminating the need to search out the “best fit” off-the-shelf control system. The results are just what one might imagine from integrally matched products: optimal precision, optimal throughput and optimal reliability.

Helping You Leverage the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Fast forward to 2015. We darn sure stake no claim to coining the term “Internet of Things.” That’s like saying we discovered the Pacific Ocean! But, continuing in the footsteps of our numerical control founders, the OSP control is now leading the advance into helping you easily leverage the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). To date, many users have found the IIoT to be generally confusing and therefore off-putting. So, with the introduction of OSP suite (a suite of ready-to-use bundled apps), plus access to our Okuma App Store (www.myokuma.com), we are now helping you dive into the value of the IIoT by offering native productivity apps along with CNC connectivity to business and peripheral systems.

An Out-of-the-Box Solution

Think of OSP suite like Microsoft's Office suite. Microsoft offers the Windows operating system for PCs. They also offer Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, etc.) as a suite of productivity apps that make the PC easy to use immediately. Similarly, on the foundation of the OSP-P300 CNC operating system, OSP suite is a package of Okuma OEM apps and widgets that offer the user an out-of-the-box solution for improving manufacturing productivity, with apps such as the Remote Desktop Function, Setup Information, Power Monitor and many more.

Open to Your Preferences

Fully embracing the IIoT concept, OSP suite is unique in the machine tool control space because we offer it on an open architecture control. If you don't prefer our out-of-the-box OSP suite apps, or there are other available connectivity and productivity apps you wish to use, you can download third party apps from myokuma.com, add shortcuts to your own preferred apps, or even write your own app to connect your machine tool to peripheral equipment and business systems.

Implementing real world benefits of the seemingly otherworldly concept of IIoT are what you can achieve with OSP suite and the Okuma App Store. Our goal is to enable increases in manufacturing productivity that have never before been possible. Take a look. Give it a try. I think John T. Parsons would…

Brian Sides is Director of Technology, Okuma America Corporation.

IIoT is a huge topic with huge implications for the manufacturing industry. Your thoughts are welcome in the comments below.

More: Mark Albert, Editor-in-Chief of Modern Machine Shop, recently penned an excellent primer in his article “7 Things to Know about the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0.” Check this out for a good foundation of knowledge in what he calls “…a sweeping change that will fundamentally reconfigure industry.”