Green is Good – Bucks That Is

For those of you who have been around awhile, you know that Okuma green CNC machines are fairly hard to come by these days. The “green machine” made its mark in the Americas in the eighties to early nineties, until it was retired for a new paint scheme (white and navy) around 1995.

The Scales Eventually Tip

If you’re the proud owner of a green Okuma, it’s likely your machine is 15 – 25 years old or more. For any CNC machine of this age, you may be reaching the point where two things must be considered: the increased CNC repair costs for a legacy machine tool, and the many ways of improving productivity with today’s technology.

It’s the same scenario we face when considering an older, but “paid for” family car. Even though we enjoy that wonderful freedom from monthly payments, when the big bills start coming in for needed replacements (such as a new transmission), and the likelihood increases for unexpected breakdowns that could leave you stranded, it’s time to evaluate whether “paid for” is worth the risk and the cost.

New technology is also more evolved and offers benefits that didn’t exist when your older machine was purchased. New cars have things like Bluetooth^®; new CNC machines have control technology that can avoid collisions or automatically compensate for thermal deformation--productivity enhancements. Diagnostic systems like OnStar can be invaluable in case of a crash or an emergency. Similarly, remote troubleshooting and monitoring services, such as Okuma’s Constant CARE, minimize machine downtime and repair costs, while maximizing effectiveness and resources.

When evaluating the pros and cons, the scales eventually tip.

Does Being Green Save Green?

While many CNC machines start out with good quality and reliability, recent studies indicate that, after 13 to 16 years of use, the cost of ownership significantly transitions during this period. Let me explain. Often machines of this vintage (even those sturdy old green machines) require degrees of rebuilding - slideway resurfacing, spindle rebuilding, ball screw and bearing replacements, pumps and a/c motors, etc. - that can be quite costly and typically require significant downtime.

The other important consideration for older CNC machines is the electronics system. Here’s an example of what can be involved. While Okuma America offers a very comprehensive repair and exchange program, the display unit, servo system, spindle system, CPU and I/O units often contain components manufactured by companies no longer in business today. Since these systems are nearing obsolescence, we offer our customers current technology replacement systems as a remedial option. Many of these units require reverse engineering and are manufactured in smaller lot sizes, so replacement cost and lead-time should be considered.

As products age, cost of ownership increases, productivity decreases, and downtime increases. Are you at the point of diminishing returns? Contact us, or one of our Distributors, and we’ll help you determine your best path to making the most of those good old green bucks.

Have you ever held onto a CNC machine for too long? Been surprised at your productivity gains when embracing new technology? Feel free to comment and tell us your stories. We all benefit from shared experience.

Ira Busman is Vice President of Customer Service, Okuma America Corporation