Maintenance Checklist – Don’t Forget the Software!

Okuma customers often want to know what they can do to better ensure that their Okuma machine tool remains in good, working order. We’ve previously published blog posts and checklists about proper lubrication, wiper replacement, coolant conditioning, chip removal, etc. These are all important parts of maintenance activities. But what about the NC Software that keeps the machine cutting parts? Every Okuma that has a “brain” was shipped from our factory with the software media inside the control cabinet. (Seriously, it was there when it shipped!)

Missing Media

Since July 1st, 2018, Okuma America Corporation has taken orders for 41 sets of Duplicate Software. These orders spanned machines dating back to the OSP2200 Controls with Paper Tape Software media all the way through our latest OSP-P300 controls which contain the OSP Software on DVD. Why does Okuma receive production orders to produce Duplicate Software? Because shops were forced to reload the NC Software for some reason on their machine, and couldn’t locate the backup media.

NC Software Backup Media Checklist

While you wait for Okuma to produce a fresh set of Duplicate Software for your machine, this is a good time to think about proactive measures, for the future. Take a walk around your factory and check for the existence of a backup of your NC Software in the control cabinet of each Okuma machine. If it’s not there, perhaps your maintenance team removed it and has it safely stored in another location within your facility. Ask around. If you come up empty-handed, it’s time to make a new checklist. It may look something like this:

1. How many Okuma machines in my facility are missing the NC Software backup media?
2. Which of these machines are most critical to my business?
3. Should any of these machines lose memory, what does 1-5 days of downtime look like while I wait for Okuma to schedule production of my software?

RELATED: Handy Checklist for Preventive Maintenance

Once the list is complete, consider contacting your local Okuma Distributor and ordering a set of Duplicate Software. Then you can sleep well at night knowing that you’re immediately covered should you need to re-install the NC Software in your Okuma machine tool.

Mike Breitkreutz is Senior Manager, Customer Service, Okuma America Corporation.