Proprietary Software: In-house software development
Since 1984 - TASK ERP
All function, no fluff
TASK 14 is the latest version of our proprietary operations management system.
All function, no fluff
TASK 14 is the latest version of our proprietary operations management system.
Proprietary hardware: In-house built precision CNC machine tools
Oliphant Tool Company is the only carbide tooling manufacturer that designs and builds its own machines, components and software.
And innovation is not limited to capability. Oliphant Tool is concerned with the triple bottom line which includes consideration of the environment. Through an evolution in machine tool design, each machine, including its spindle motor, electronics, CNC drives, controller and display, operates on less than 800 watts. That is less than a typical household vacuum cleaner.
We do it our way
From our home-brew ERP software to logic firmware, we build our systems from the ground up.
- Our machines understand English. At the heart of our CNC machine tools is our proprietary CNC programming interpreter that speaks directly to our hardware. It utilizes simple English language commands; far easier to learn and program than any other conversational programming platform. The conversational programming system is so intuitive, yet powerful, that a person with no prior experience in CNC programming can learn how to manufacture the most complex tooling in a matter of a day or two, rather than weeks or even months as is the case with traditional G-code or even so-called "conversational programming" training.
- Superior reliability. Traditional CNC machine tools are overly complicated. They typically utilize highly proprietary hardware and software running on Microsoft Windows. When the software or hardware develops a small problem it can render the machine inoperable until a field tech from the manufacturer can repair it at an exorbitant cost. And with the CNC software and source code being proprietary to the machine's manufacturer, operators are not in a position to customize it or add features to meet their unique needs. After 10 years, good luck getting parts or even a service manual. Our system is radically different. Simple and robust solid state micro-controllers accept the CNC machine code generated by our proprietary software directly into its built in flash memory. Only an inexpensive text based terminal is needed run or make adjustments. Our machines are so easy to build and more importantly maintain that even our first machines built in the late 1980s are still in operation manufacturing parts with sub 25 millionths concentricity and holding 0.0001" on diameters.
- We support what we build. Since we design and build our own machine tools, we are not at the mercy of third parties to maintain our equipment. In the unlikely event that a machine should develop a mechanical, electronic or software issue, large or small, it is easily and quickly resolved, typically within half an hour instead of days, weeks or even months as is the case with traditional CNC machine tools. And those repairs are all done at a tiny fraction of the cost using off the shelf, locally sourced components. Additionally if an operator requests a new software feature for a tool he or she is making, our software engineers can quickly add it. OT-CNC technical support is down the hall not in another state or country.
- Superior performance. We don’t have to compromise performance by supporting unnecessary features or suffering from software limitations. The task-specific nature of these machines provide superior accuracy, reliability and repeatability. These machines are the best in the world for doing what they do.
- Lower cost. The economic advantage of ease of use, self-support, higher performance and reliability all at a 80-90% lower per unit deployment cost allows us to deploy and support dozens of these capable purpose-built machines with single operator running up to 20 Oliphant OT-CNC machines simultaneously.