Okuma App Store: The fast track to productivity gains

Today’s machine tool users need flexibility to allow for continuous process improvement. It is also important to achieve productivity gains with minimal investments of time and resources. Using apps on an Okuma control supports these results.

Okuma’s App Store contains a variety of machine tool apps that increase productivity and streamline user processes. Users can download apps such as:

• Machine Alert: Monitors machine alarm status and automatically sends an email, text, or phone message to the user when an alarm condition activates.
• Visual Assistance Support: Displays helpful on-demand images for the operator at any point in a part program or process. The images assist with machine setup, visual part inspection, and other functions.
• Scheduled Maintenance: Shows a reminder of the scheduled maintenance needed for the specific machine where the application is installed. This prompts the user to complete daily inspection tasks to maintain machine performance.
• MTConnect: Sends data to connected MTConnect agents when data are changed. An agent will output these data in MTConnect-compliant XML format that can be consumed by MTConnect client applications.
  
   

User empowerment

In 2004, the foundation for the store was laid with the introduction of THINC – The Intelligent Numerical Control, Okuma’s open architecture control concept. Openness is critical because it allows for integration with evolving generations of third-party software and hardware, and enables open access to peripheral equipment and integration of the user’s preferred manufacturing productivity software. The store sets the stage for complete machine tool user empowerment.
 

Anyone can create apps

Users can take advantage of what’s possible with open architecture controls. The needs of each user are unique, and now anyone can develop apps to fulfill those needs. The Okuma App Store has apps that have already been developed and tested for immediate use. Users can also create custom apps and potentially post them to the store and share them. The priority is to enhance the user’s overall manufacturing productivity first.
 

Certified for quality

Currently 25 machine tool apps are available. Most of these apps have been provided by third-party manufacturing partners who serve all of the same users that Okuma supports.

Apps are vetted using two methods:

• Okuma can test and certify an individual app submission. Individually tested apps are designated by a asterisk [*] on the corner of the app icon.
• Okuma Certified Developers are Okuma developers, distributor developers, and Partners in THINC developers, or unaffiliated third-party developers who have agreed to the App Store terms and conditions and meet the required and verified standards for Okuma’s ISO 9001 quality controls for Certified Apps.
   

Apps are frequently added and can be viewed at www.myokuma.com.

Okuma America Corp.
www.okuma.com

About the author: Brian Sides is director of technology, Okuma America Corp. and is one of the architects of the THINC-OSP control. Sides leads a team of engineers dedicated to applying THINC to advance Okuma’s technology solutions to improve customers’ productivity, quality, and global competitiveness. Sides can be reached at bsides@okuma.com or 704.588.7000.