EASY Does It! New CNC Control Surprises

Has this ever happened to you? When using a new technology, at first it seems awkward and alien. Then, before too long…nothing could ever get you to go back to the old way. The reason you’d never go back? That new functionality that lies behind the temporary learning curve is addictive. It’s similar to what happens when you get a new smartphone. Initially, there’s a brief annoying phase. Then soon you’re saying, “Worth it!”

About a year ago Okuma introduced a new CNC control for lathes to the North and South American markets. (Today, this new control is also available on vertical machining centers and horizontal machining centers.) This new OSP-P300 control was a big change from what Okuma customers and distributors were used to using. From the OSP-5000L all the way through the P200L CNC control, there was very little difference in the main functional layout. This made it very easy to jump from one control to the next.

Drastic Change for the EASY

The P300S control for multi-tasking machines such as the MULTUS, MACTURN, and VTM machines (called the P300L for base CNC lathes, the LB-EX, LU-EX, and LT-EX) is a drastic change from the old functional layout. But it’s a change for the better, with a new feature that combines functions into one “EASY OPERATION” run screen.

When I first saw this new format, my initial reaction was: what’s easy about this feature? It was a big departure from what I was accustomed to, and it seemed difficult to maneuver through at first. But now that I’ve been using for a while, I like what I see. And it’s not nearly as difficult as many people’s first impressions may be.

So what is the EASY OPERATION run screen and what does it do for you?

1. Creates an operation system based on operation workflow
2. One Screen Operation allows you to complete most work from one screen
3. Shares the tool data between machining for One Touch-IGF and Collision Avoidance System so you only need to create the data once
4. Expands the manual machine operation functions on the machines
5. Only creates tool offsets for the positions you are using

There are many other enhancements to the P300 CNC control that make it much easier to perform certain tasks. Here are a few examples:

1. Manually clamp c-axis with the push of a button
2. A rotary switch to manually index the turret every 45 degrees
3. Index the lathe tool with the push of a button
4. Reinstates the rotary switch for spindle speed override (was digital on the P200)
5. Makes all the Stop Operation buttons red on the control panel for easier viewing
6. New feature to select and change tools from manual mode

Well Worth a Try

If you haven’t used the P300 control yet, or have concerns about the changes implemented, please go try one out at your local distributor. Once you get some hands-on time with this new CNC control, I’m pretty confident you’ll like what you see.

This is where the future of Okuma controls is going, and changes are usually made for the better. If for some reason you feel you like the old OSP format better, you can still turn the EASY OPERATION off and run most of the functions the old way. But I say try the EASY OPERATION. Once you start using it, you won’t want to go back to old way.

What do you think? Is getting new functionality worth the learning curve? Comment below and let us know your thoughts. And feel free to contact us or your local distributor to give the P300 a test drive.

Kevin Kraieski is Senior Application Engineer, Okuma America Corporation .