Double Column Machining Center Attachment Change (Video)

On an Okuma, the way attachments are put into the machine tool, and how they’re held, is different from what you see from other builders. Okuma user Alliance Innovative Manufacturing recently captured this action in this close-up video showing an attachment change on their MCR-A5CII double column machining center.

Rigidity is “Locked-In”

Here you’ll see how the attachment comes out of the “dog house” (enclosure), then the ram protrudes from the main casting. As the ram picks up the attachment you’ll see it does a 90-degree rotation, which locks in the attachment, so it’s located precisely and has good rigidity.

A Case for Build Quality

It’s these kinds of details in Okuma’s build quality that help Alliance Innovative maintain their reputation for reliability and efficiency. There was a time when they tried a competing brand’s double column machining center, but they had to pull it out due to excessive downtime. Alliance replaced that with an Okuma, and now they say “as long as Okuma builds a CNC machine in the size range I’m looking for, we’ll stick with them.” You can read Alliance’s story and watch their video in our case study “Big CNC Machines Bring Big Rewards.”