Helpful Technologies on your Grinding Machine
Rob Titus 04.01.2020
Okuma CNC controls are designed with the operator in mind; they provide comprehensive, centralized data in one easy-to-use interface. No matter the machine, the OSP control provides additional efficiency with its new shared database. Data that is input in one area of the control is automatically shared in other areas. With these new functionalities, redundancy of CNC control operations is greatly reduced, and ultimately reduces setup times. And, by allowing operators to be operators instead of programmers, they spend more time doing what they do best: making parts.
Your Okuma grinder specifically utilizes the OSP-P300GA, which has a revamped interface, called I-GAP+, to make our grinder machines that much more user friendly. I-GAP+ adds a level of ease to the grinding machine that wasn’t necessarily there before. It helps machinists that may not have used a grinder before to adjust to the programming and skill that grinders require. The following are some helpful technologies that come within the OSP-P300GA and I-GAP+ control to help smooth your grinder operation.
- Gap eliminator technology monitors the load on the grinding wheel spindle to reduce air cutting time. During the grinding process, the spindle can come in at a fast feed, and as soon as it touches the part, it draws a load on the motor and kicks it down to a slower feed.
- In-process gaging allows for measuring the diameter of the part while grinding. In a CNC program, the operator tells the wheel to go to a specific spot, but the gage measures if that spot is the correct size while it’s grinding. When the part does get to the size the gage wants, the grinding wheel will back out.
- Automatic grinding wheel balancing ensures the grinding wheel is balanced throughout the grinding process. If the machine’s wheel isn’t balanced, it can cause a vibration, which causes major disruption. That disruption ruins that quality surface finish you’re aiming for with the grinding process.
Using these technologies will help significantly with efficiency, to provide you with the maximum productivity that your grinder is capable of. Not to mention, when you properly use these controls, you lessen the need for highly skilled labor, something grinding machines of the past required. If you need help getting the most out of your controls, contact your local distributor for a showing.
