As a 25+ year career machinist and shop owner it's been very cool to watch your growth, development and transition into a great advocate of the industry. We do use Sandvik Prime turning, especially in 17-4 stainless.
Back in the 90's, Okuma was building machines there. That big long integration bay you were in used to house a couple of enormous double column mills for machining base castings for their machines. The interesting part was the castings were located on the milling fixtures by the leveling pad holes which were drilled on an old (50's), manual Okuma radial arm drill, and all dimensions came from that. Before that facility, Okuma used to drop ship small machines in kit form to various assemblers for their US machines. We've been using Okuma machines in our shop for almost 40 years now. Still have an LC40 from '84 on the floor.
They also had a few more buildings then today, primarily for assembly IIRC - I previously worked for an okuma distributor in the midwest and then in the south and heard some of the history then - I've had a few opportunities to tour the place, always a great time to be had. Now days I'm a customer.. two Okuma mills in my shop, hope to get another soon.
What do you guys think of the reliability? I've only played with mazaks and Cincinnati with acramatic 950,,(problem child) and want to find a machine to put in my garage (20 yr old or so) something affordable. I heard they have there own g and m codes? I just want something that's not gonna spit out drives on a monthly basis...haha. our 30yr old mazaks are becoming problematic, the 20yr Olds are still chugging along. I would like someones opinion of the 98' to 05' controls and reliability, thanks
@@jasonruch3529 We have Okuma machines from 1984, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2002 & 2004 on the floor running every day. But we also have our fair share of drives dying - I think it's the nature of the beast for machines that old. As for the controls, I have always preferred Okuma to Fanuc. But, if you are looking for an old beater for the garage, Fanuc based machines might have the advantage, as drives will be much cheaper and easier to find second hand.
@@jasonruch3529 I still have my original machine from 1998 (new to me 2015) it was flooded in 4ft of water twice for a week each time. We did have to send out some boards and get new batteries/reload software, but that was minor. Once it would boot up, we sprayed the ballscrews and ways down with penetrating oil, tried to move the table in x/y until the load went up, hit estop and went to bed. Next day it was free as a bird! Wiped everything down till it was shiny and went back to work after retouching off all the tools. Checked backlash, had to adjust .0001, it got more accurate in X for some reason. Best part - it still holds tenths across the entire work envelope, even flatness. (my new one won't, but it's still well in spec)
@texastad1989 wow that's a great story,,,I was looking into that year and up a few. There in my price range. I am not a fan of fanuc. At work my 1997 Cincinnati horizontal milicron is gcode but once I call a tool the control already comps for length without having to call it up. I think fanuc and other controls should have copied that idea. Heck it tracks the set zero however you rotate the table.! How are the osp controls? Do they have a little conversional? Or must you call up every little thing as well?
This was a fun show. Hartwig was kind enough to fly me in to learn more about the one machine you didn't like, the Multus B250ii. We'll have one on our floor as soon as possible.
I plan on using prime inserts when my new mazak i-100hst comes in. My cam software supports prime tools and toolpaths. And i think the idea of a b-axis lathe really compliments the prime type of turning
I would love the option to change chuck type easily depending on the situation. Most ppl are stuck with the 3-jaw chuck that came with the machine.. and have to make it work.. )
I love what you do, and I'm a hobby machinist, but what you do is way way over my head, I'm just here for Johnny 5. When will there be an update? Finish date?
![ILLSLICK - WINTER IS COMING [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dwTMeM1zIhQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for sharing these highlights with those who couldn't join us at the Technology Showcase! We enjoyed seeing you here in Charlotte.
As a 25+ year career machinist and shop owner it's been very cool to watch your growth, development and transition into a great advocate of the industry. We do use Sandvik Prime turning, especially in 17-4 stainless.
Back in the 90's, Okuma was building machines there. That big long integration bay you were in used to house a couple of enormous double column mills for machining base castings for their machines. The interesting part was the castings were located on the milling fixtures by the leveling pad holes which were drilled on an old (50's), manual Okuma radial arm drill, and all dimensions came from that. Before that facility, Okuma used to drop ship small machines in kit form to various assemblers for their US machines. We've been using Okuma machines in our shop for almost 40 years now. Still have an LC40 from '84 on the floor.
They also had a few more buildings then today, primarily for assembly IIRC - I previously worked for an okuma distributor in the midwest and then in the south and heard some of the history then - I've had a few opportunities to tour the place, always a great time to be had. Now days I'm a customer.. two Okuma mills in my shop, hope to get another soon.
What do you guys think of the reliability? I've only played with mazaks and Cincinnati with acramatic 950,,(problem child) and want to find a machine to put in my garage (20 yr old or so) something affordable. I heard they have there own g and m codes? I just want something that's not gonna spit out drives on a monthly basis...haha. our 30yr old mazaks are becoming problematic, the 20yr Olds are still chugging along. I would like someones opinion of the 98' to 05' controls and reliability, thanks
@@jasonruch3529 We have Okuma machines from 1984, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2002 & 2004 on the floor running every day. But we also have our fair share of drives dying - I think it's the nature of the beast for machines that old. As for the controls, I have always preferred Okuma to Fanuc. But, if you are looking for an old beater for the garage, Fanuc based machines might have the advantage, as drives will be much cheaper and easier to find second hand.
@@jasonruch3529 I still have my original machine from 1998 (new to me 2015) it was flooded in 4ft of water twice for a week each time. We did have to send out some boards and get new batteries/reload software, but that was minor.
Once it would boot up, we sprayed the ballscrews and ways down with penetrating oil, tried to move the table in x/y until the load went up, hit estop and went to bed.
Next day it was free as a bird! Wiped everything down till it was shiny and went back to work after retouching off all the tools. Checked backlash, had to adjust .0001, it got more accurate in X for some reason.
Best part - it still holds tenths across the entire work envelope, even flatness. (my new one won't, but it's still well in spec)
@texastad1989 wow that's a great story,,,I was looking into that year and up a few. There in my price range. I am not a fan of fanuc. At work my 1997 Cincinnati horizontal milicron is gcode but once I call a tool the control already comps for length without having to call it up. I think fanuc and other controls should have copied that idea. Heck it tracks the set zero however you rotate the table.! How are the osp controls? Do they have a little conversional? Or must you call up every little thing as well?
This was a fun show. Hartwig was kind enough to fly me in to learn more about the one machine you didn't like, the Multus B250ii. We'll have one on our floor as soon as possible.
So cool to see your product on display there!
Definitely interested in hearing your speech. Thanks for posting
I would be glad to find and watch your talk on youtube.
Man that's awesome thanks for sharing, I was not able to make it!
I've used Prime style tools in the past for very specific applications but it's on a rare occasion.
You need to go to the mazak factory in Florence Kentucky
awesome ❤🎉
I need to stay more up to date. I live here in Charlotte and didn't know it was happening.
Looks like a good turn out!!!
I plan on using prime inserts when my new mazak i-100hst comes in. My cam software supports prime tools and toolpaths. And i think the idea of a b-axis lathe really compliments the prime type of turning
Quick question about the pallet pool system: are the rails electrified? Like the subway?
Thank you.
We use the prime trying on production machines. Turning D2 tool steel. It's been a game changer.
I would love to see a second video on your presentation.
You mentioned the Willeman, looking forward to seeing it in action
Just started my Machinist career this week.
Hi from Spain! Nice fancy facility you found there! To me It looks like Christmas! Disneyworld for the such as me!
I would love to hear a youtube version of the speech you gave there!
I would love the option to change chuck type easily depending on the situation. Most ppl are stuck with the 3-jaw chuck that came with the machine.. and have to make it work.. )
nice!!!
Okumaaaa 😎😎
Hainbuch mandrels are amazing. Loads better rigidity than a Chuck, mirror finishes easy to do
“You don’t know what you don’t know” fa real
John we NEED the Willemin Video ASAP!
I love what you do, and I'm a hobby machinist, but what you do is way way over my head, I'm just here for Johnny 5. When will there be an update? Finish date?
The machine that makes the iPhone📱
A.S.D.F.C.V.D.
of course we want to hear the speech d00d Exactly like you point out, easy to think about the $$$ automation but low cost not so obvious