Okuma

What is Okuma?

Okuma is a Japanese machine tool manufacturer founded in 1898. The company is one of the world’s oldest continuously operating CNC machine tool manufacturers and has over a hundred years of experience serving the needs of the manufacturing industry. Okuma is especially known for developing and manufacturing both its machine tools and CNC control systems in-house, which is rare in the machine tool industry. This comprehensive approach has made Okuma a significant player for machine shops and manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Okuma’s operations cover lathes, machining centers, multitasking machines, and related control, automation, and software solutions. The company’s manufacturing and product development are largely based on the practical requirements of the manufacturing industry, such as precision, thermal stability, and process reliability in CNC machining.

Okuma’s history from the perspective of the manufacturing industry

Okuma originally started as a manufacturer of noodle making machines but shifted to producing machine tools already in the early 1900s. Its major breakthrough in the manufacturing industry came in the early 20th century when Okuma began manufacturing lathes for industrial use. By the 1930s, the company became the largest machine tool manufacturer in Japan in terms of production value.

A significant turning point in Okuma’s history came in the 1960s, when the company developed its own OSP numerical control system. This made Okuma one of the few manufacturers to master both the mechanical engineering and the development and manufacturing of CNC controls in-house. This principle remains a core part of Okuma’s strategy to this day and is evident in the usability of their machines in manufacturing shops.

Okuma and OSP control systems

The Okuma OSP control system is a CNC control developed in-house, designed specifically for Okuma’s machine tools. OSP differs from many other CNC controls in that it has been developed from the ground up with the machine’s structure, thermal characteristics, and real-world machining situations in mind. This enables precise motion control, reliable CNC machining, and long-term dimensional stability.

The OSP control supports modern CAM programming, DNC data transfer, as well as the digitalization of machine shops and Industry 4.0 solutions. The control system is used in Okuma’s lathes, vertical and horizontal machining centers, and multitasking machines, where the simultaneous control of multiple axes is required.

Okuma machine tools in machine shops

Okuma’s product range covers a wide array of CNC lathes, vertical and horizontal machining centers, as well as multitasking machines that combine turning and milling. These machines are used in manufacturing shops that produce demanding components for, for example, machine building, the energy sector, and general engineering industries.

Multitasking machines enable multiple operations to be performed in a single setup, which improves precision and reduces setup times. This is especially important in CNC machining, where part quality and repeatability are critical requirements. Okuma machines are also known for their rigid frames and controlled thermal expansion, both of which are critical for machining accuracy.

Thermal compensation and the Thermo-Friendly Concept

One of Okuma’s key technical solutions is the Thermo-Friendly Concept, developed to minimize the effects of thermal expansion on the machine’s dimensional accuracy. Temperature fluctuations are inevitable in machine shops and have a direct impact on machine structures and machining results.

Okuma’s solution is based on structural symmetry of the machine, anticipating thermal movements, and built-in compensation within the CNC control. This approach improves dimensional stability without the need for complex external measurement systems and supports the stability of long production runs in CNC machining.

Okuma as part of the modern machine shop

Okuma has expanded from traditional machine tool manufacturing towards smart production solutions that support the digitalization of machine shops. The machines can be integrated into automated production cells, FMS systems, as well as data collection and maintenance solutions. This enables machine status monitoring, production optimization, and predictive maintenance.

Okuma’s approach supports the long-term development of machine shops, where CNC machining, automation, and digital systems form a unified whole.

Summary

Okuma is a Japanese machine tool manufacturer with a long history, firmly established in the manufacturing industry thanks to its proprietary CNC control systems, thermally stable structures, and versatile machine tools. The company’s solutions are designed to support demanding CNC machining, with a focus on precision, reliability, and production predictability. Okuma represents a holistic approach, with the machine, control, and software forming a unified, seamlessly controlled system for machinists.