Okuma to showcase super multitasking machines and Smart Factory Solutions at EMO 2017

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2017-09-05 10:32:00

Okuma Europe will display its latest machining solutions to provide supreme connectivity and productivity at this year’s EMO Hannover (18-23 September, Hall 27, booth D20). Okuma’s smart machines as well as the LASER EX series of super multitasking machines capable of turning, milling, laser hardening and additive manufacturing will make their European debut at the fair. In addition, Okuma will introduce their latest Smart Factory Solutions and present new ways to integrate robotics to take productivity in an IoT-environment to the next level.

In accordance with this year’s EMO-theme “Connecting systems for intelligent production”, Okuma’s innovations are dedicated to facilitating smart manufacturing by promoting automation and increasing connectivity in state-of-the-art production facilities. Okuma will present eight European premieres and a total of 16 machines at their 1500 m² booth.

Smart line machining with minimal footprint
Okuma’s latest 5-axis vertical machining centre MU-S600V enables 5-face machining with unparalleled floor space productivity. With a width of 1,400 mm the machine handles workpieces 600 mm in diameter. For high levels of automation, several machine tools of this type can be connected to form a compact smart production line. This allows for a fully automated transfer of the workpiece from one machine to the next, thus eliminating downtime between different processing stages. Production line layouts are easily adjusted to accommodate changes in volume or lead times. Okuma will present two connected MU-S600V in a fully automated cell featuring a vision system and robot-assisted loading and unloading.

Laser-infused super multitasking machining
Okuma’s LASER EX line includes the world’s first “done-on-one”-machines. The 5-axis vertical machining centre MU-6300V LASER EX is capable of milling, turning, grinding, Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) and heat treatment for a wide range of workpiece sizes and shapes. On-machine hardening is faster and causes less distortion than conventional heat treatment, resulting in dramatically increased accuracy and throughput. The high-quality TRUMPF laser beam source enables stable laser processing over long runs and both large-capacity and high definition additive manufacturing.

The MULTUS series, known for its precision and accuracy, has been a staple in Okuma’s line of multitasking machines for quite some time. The MULTUS U5000 is designed for stable heavy-duty cutting with low spindle speeds. Its unrivalled high-torque spindle serves to maximise efficiency. The MULTUS U5000 handles medium and large parts as well as difficult-to-cut materials, such as Titanium and Inconel. Finish grinding is also among the new arrival’s many features. With the addition of the laser-equipped variant, Okuma is taking multitasking machining to new heights. The MULTUS U5000 LASER EX enables laser processing from coating to Laser Metal Deposition (LMD). Okuma will demonstrate the machine’s laser hardening capabilities in a dedicated stage-presentation.

In-depth smart factory know-how
Smart Machines are part of the IoT-equation for the single-source provider. Having recently opened the second start-to-finish smart factory at its Japanese headquarters, Okuma is ready to pass on its smart factory expertise at EMO. The learnings from the company’s “Dream Site” factories resulted in its Smart Factory Solutions as a means of making Industry 4.0 a reality for customers. Driven by Okuma’s latest AI-imbued CNC control, these applications allow for total control of the entire scheduling and manufacturing process to support high product mixes and shorter delivery times, ensuring flexibility even with fluctuating demands.

Okuma’s Connect Plan connects not only machines but also production plants around the world, displaying their availability at any given time. It visualises the machine status and accumulates, stores and processes big data, including machining and operating reports and the alarm history. Based on this, continuous improvements can be made to make each run better than the one before. The web-based interface can be viewed from anywhere and on any device – even smartphones. By connecting the machines on display at EMO, Okuma will simulate a smart factory and demonstrate the possibilities afforded by their Smart Factory Solutions live on site.

Superior automation
Automation is yet another key factor Okuma is addressing at EMO. Almost half of the manufacturer’s exhibits will be presented in an automation-enhanced setup, with both standard Okuma automation equipment – ranging from APCs to Okuma’s Gantry Loader – as well as custom solutions employing industry-leading robotics from Okuma’s partners.

Extensive machine tool line-up
Further EMO-premieres include Okuma’s compact MULTUS B250II, with the largest y-axis travel in its class, the compact precision cylindrical grinder GA26W, featuring an NC tailstock for increased efficiency, and the new lathes V920EX, GENOS L2000 and GENOS L3000. The latter is a high performance 1-saddle turning centre with an integral spindle and an NC-controlled tailstock. The machine will be shown in a robot-assisted setup. The MU-10000H is not only the manufacturer’s most colossal EMO exhibit, but also Okuma’s largest 5-Axis machining centre and among the world’s fastest large trunnion machines. Its high-speed, high-torque capabilities meet the requirements for stable heavy-duty machining of titanium and nickel based alloys.

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