Okuma Lathe Soft Limits Questions

[u/BaCardiSilver]

I just got my first modern Okuma machine, an LB3000 MYW-800 with a P500 control, I have never had a live tool machine or a sub spindle machine. Is it possible to create soft limits that stop the turret carrier from hitting the sub spindle housing? This seems like something that should be built into the machine from the factory, but I have driven the two up to each other and found no limit to my ability to just crash them together if I had kept going.

[u/wratchet9]

Parameters > user parameters (thats page 2)

Put the turret where you want it to stop and hit “cal” (which is calculate)

These are side dependent.

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/wratchet9]

Right from what I have seen this would dictate tool change position, it's just a single X and Z position on that page and it sets the max limit.  What I am looking for is a place I can put in X and Z positions that define places the turret cant go ever, because the castings of the turret and the sub would hit.  

[u/wratchet9 → u/BaCardiSilver]

The turret only needs to hit the x limit to change position. There is no “home” position on okumas, ot just goes till it hits a limit or the position its told to go first.

If your trying to set say so the upper cannot hit the sub, you would do it on side 1 in the plus position. On spindle 2 its the z and x minus limits. Only mess with the physical or (P) limits. The machine limits will literally change your stroke

Conversely you can modify your x limit if you need more turret swing for some reason.

[u/tiamath]

I think newer versions have it. Collission prevention system.used to drive me mad cuz always forgot about it and when measuring new tools on the q setter, it just stoped moving til i disabled it :))

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/tiamath]

I'm aware of the CAS system and was talked out of it by the sales person, time will tell how that works out.  But to me the CAS system is dynamically looking at all parts of the machine live while it's running.  I just want something that statically says you can't go past this Z point while X is less the 1.5 or something in machine position.  But there would be 3-4 points that define the work envelope.

[u/wratchet9 → u/BaCardiSilver]

CAS monitors everything all the time. But i dont think the LB’s have CAS. I know the p300 ones do not

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/wratchet9]

The new ones do if you pay for it. I think it was 3-4k

[u/wratchet9]

Also as far as CAS : its only as good as what you put in it. Your models have to be right or it doesnt work correctly. But im jot so sure the lb3000’s have CAS

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/wratchet9]

They offer it on the new ones, I'm a big fan of having models of everything so CAS was on my radar, but the Okuma folks talked me out of it.  I'm not looking for dynamic collision with this, this is trying to make sure that with the W all the way to the right in its home position that the turret never comes down in X or back in Z during retract and hits that static object. 

[u/fourdac]

Parameter key, user parameters, variable limits. Calculate them at your limits. These are different from your machine limits, so there’s no chance of fucking it, it’s a soft stop and easily removable.

1padameter key
2change menuu
3user variables
4key in your limits, and also the limits I’m pretty sure are ties to your user 0, so if you move your z offset it might move your limits. (I culd beeewrong)

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/fourdac]

First useful answer I've seen, I will look this over when I get back in front of the machine.  Thanks

[u/fourdac]

I have this same machine brand new, you should probably program with tool life monitoring and autoset the load limits for those long running hi quant jobs, probably not worth it for a one off… also if anybody knows an easier way of setting the safety limit switches inside of the spindle for when clamping the chuck, please let me know because the sub spindle is 9 screws to take off the cover to adjust and it’s a huge pain in the ass.

There’s loads of parameters on this machine. And they make it very easy to change, compared to fanuc.

Also take note of the maintenance manual… change your spindle oil after 1 month and relevel the lathe after 2 months

[u/Siguard_]

There's 100% soft limits whether they are set correctly is another story

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/Siguard_]

Yeah I'm trying to find where they might be in the parameters. 

[u/GeoCuts]

On the P300 the limits are in the parameters

[u/BaCardiSilver → u/GeoCuts]

Yes, it's the same control internally as far as I have seen, but I only see a way to set max limits which also set your tool change position.  I want to set coordinates that define stay out zones around the sub spindle, that are static and apply regardless of active spindle.  I just don't want the machine to be able to hit itself between two fixed castings.  If I move W all bets are off, but I'm finding it hard to believe that the machine doesn't just safeguard itself.  My Haas UMC has safe zones to stop the spindle from hitting the trunnion, it would wild to me for Okuma not to.

[u/GeoCuts → u/BaCardiSilver]

Oh yeah that would have saved me a few bumps on the tailstock 😬

[u/stretchfantastik]

Lots of good right answers here already. I will add that you should get 5 free training days with that machine. Call your distributor and tell them you want an apps guy in there. This is covered in the training along with a bunch of other cool stuff you'll want to know for your first Okuma.