OKUMA is a world leader in CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. Founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, the company is the industry’s only single-source provider of CNC machines, controls, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems. Okuma provides comprehensive solutions for lathes, machining centers, grinders, multitasking machines, numerical controllers (NC), factory automation (FA) systems, and more.
Through total and consistent Monozukuri* service, Okuma aims to support customers worldwide by creating value and bringing happiness to everyone who journeys with them. OKUMA is committed to helping users gain competitive advantages through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future.
*Monozukuri – Making things (better than ever) where master craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology.
The Customer Challenge
From 1997 to 2002, Okuma utilized an MC68000-family 32-bit embedded microcontroller in its OSP-U100 CNC equipment. However, after the device became obsolete, Okuma could no longer obtain the critical semiconductor from the original component manufacturer (OCM).
Okuma’s equipment controls a machine tool in real-time through the software on the device. Redesigning and/or requalifying their equipment would have been complex, challenging, and costly. Although Okuma had secured stock of the components through a last-time-buy (LTB) with the OCM, there were concerns that the inventory volume might not cover the long-term maintenance of machines shipped worldwide. To provide extended product lifecycle support for their customers, Okuma approached Rochester Electronics.
The Rochester Solution
Rochester Electronics collaborated with its OCM partner, a leading supplier of microcontrollers and microprocessors, to offer Okuma a long-term solution.
Rochester initially provided authorized stock from its inventory. However, this stock was limited for end-of-life (EOL) components, so Okuma sought a licensed manufactured solution to secure an ongoing supply source.
As the OCM no longer had the wafer available and the original package was not available, Rochester partnered with the OCM to receive the original IP, including the GDS2 design file and test protocols, directly from them to replicate the device. Rochester Electronics’ product replication is the authorized cloning of a semiconductor product. Replicated devices are the same die size, power, form, and fit and are functionally equivalent to the original device with no software changes necessary. Rochester matches output edge rates between the original product and the recreated product and creates drop-in hardware solutions that minimize new qualification expenses.
Rochester ultimately designed, manufactured, and qualified the devices, continuing production and extending the supply of the replicated MC68000-product family embedded controllers with full authorization from the OCM. As a result, Okuma continues to produce and maintain its CNC equipment and offers ongoing customer support. Rochester preserves over 40 years of processor product history for its customers, now and in the future.
Voice of the customer
“Through Rochester’s licensed manufactured solution, Okuma can continue providing maintenance and long-term assurance to our customers. Furthermore, this allows us to focus on developing new products rather than spending cost, time, and technical resources due to semiconductor obsolescence.”
