History of the P-Control
Brian Sides 07.15.2020
Since the creation of the first CNC machine tool, Okuma has worked hard to stay on the cutting-edge of CNC technology. The evolution of Okuma’s P-Control over time has involved collaboration within Okuma teams and with manufacturers to create a powerful control system that is constantly evolving.
DEVELOPING THE FIRST CNC
The history of the OSP goes back more than 50 years, with the development of the first OSP-NC control in 1963. Its development coincides with the creation of the first CNC five years prior - Okuma has always felt like the CNC control itself is core to a CNC machine tool, and thus built upon that foundation.
THE CREATION OF OMAC
In 1995, a competitive consortium comprised of Boeing, CAT, John Deere, GM, Chrysler, Ford and other manufacturers, came together to discuss issues they had with their CNC vendors. This group called OMAC, or Open Modular Architecture Control, published a whitepaper that included a wish list for their CNCs – they wanted open systems, non-proprietary technology and the ability to add hardware and software independently of the builder.
Okuma joined in and started to meet with OMAC on a regular basis, with the intention of following through on the suggested industry standard changes.
1997-2000
THE KLUGE
What was happening at Okuma America in the late 1990’s was outside the normal - Larry Schwartz, president of Okuma, decided he wanted to bring his vision of OMAC’s ideas to the world from Okuma. To do this, he hired a technical manager, Bob Tain, who understood the technical architecture mindset required for this project.
A small team of Okuma America electrical engineers were given a side project to convert an LB-25 with OSP-5020 to an open architecture CNC machine. Caterpillar, a member of OMAC, tested the machine and provided feedback on what worked for them and what didn’t. This feedback allowed the team to tinker with the machine and make the case to Okuma Japan.
2001-2004
OKUMA JAPAN/OKUMA AMERICA COLLABORATION
After a period of development and retooling, Okuma America presented the business case and technical concept to Okuma Japan, who agreed to collaborate and create the P100. A major orthopedic manufacturer in Indiana was the first customer to integrate Okuma’s P100 technology, with 75 machines to install and apply a homegrown traceability app. While the P100 was exclusive to Okuma America, the P200 was a collaboration between Okuma America and Okuma Japan to create its global CNC.
APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE
To take its CNC control further, Okuma developed the API, or application programming interface, a technology that allows any developer to put data into the control. A large Okuma customer in Dayton, was the first to use API development to create custom apps that allowed them to change tool offsets, determine cut times, and more.
With another collaboration between Okuma America and Okuma Japan to create the under-side and top-side development, the API became commercially available for developers, distributors, customers and partners.
2008-PRESENT
PARTNERS IN THINC
In 2008, Okuma created Partners in THINC, a manufacturing collaboration that set out to develop apps for OSP. Peripheral suppliers and distributors, including Caron Engineering, Renishaw, Gosiger, and more became involved in custom app creation.
The Okuma App Store was also developed as a result of work done by Partners in THINC. About 80% of all apps created for OSP are third-party developed apps, and as Okuma and our partners continue to innovate, the library of available OSP apps continues to grow.
A significant example of how Okuma’s OSP control can not only improve manufacturing but also change lives is Okuma’s partnership with Seattle Lighthouse for the blind. Read the case study and watch the video to see how Okuma’s customizable control made it possible for the organization to create jobs and improve productivity for blind employees.
Want to learn more about Okuma’s OSP CNC controls? Visit the webpage, or request an OSP control demo.
