Custom Machining Solutions Feature Automation, Digitalization

Mazak North America is showcasing its technology for job shops, multitasking, advanced manufacturing and high-production with live demonstrations processing real-world, industry-specific parts.

Mazak’s booth features a wide range of machines from its Ez, Syncrex, Quick Turn, NEO and Integrex series. Booth visitors can also see Mazak’s recent automation and digital technology and discover Mazak MPower Complete Customer Care as well as Mazak Capital Equipment Financing (MCEF) for streamlined equipment financing.

Mazak expands its Ez Series of machines with the addition of a 50-taper VC-Ez 32 with its 32" Y-axis, and a new five-axis model — the VC-Ez 20X — which is processing parts in the job shop area of the booth. The VC-Ez 32/50 vertical machining center (VMC) is well suited to the machining of contoured surfaces on molds, its 50-taper spindle enables aggressive material removal and the Y-axis handles a wider range of mold part sizes. VC-Ez 32/50 is said to be configurable with a full range of options to meet a variety of production needs. The machine features the Mazatrol SmoothEz CNC that gives shops both Mazatrol conversational and EIA/ISO G-code programming capabilities.

Mazak is also featuring its Quick Turn 250MSY CNC turning center that is designed to deliver significant reductions in production lead times and costs. The Quick Turn 250MSY CNC turning center provides milling and Y-axis capability, a direct-drive turret and a rotary tool milling spindle as well as a second turning spindle for “done in one” part processing.

Mazak also provides multitasking capability in its portfolio of machining solutions. Visitors to the Mazak booth can see the Integrex i-100H ST multitasking center with a gantry loader. The machine is designed to combine the capabilities of a high-powered turning center with those of a full-function machining center to boost productivity. It also gives shops the ability to simultaneously machine with two tools using a 6,000-rpm second turning spindle and a lower turret with optional rotary tool capability.

The advanced manufacturing area also showcases several of Mazak’s next-generation NEO Series machines. The HQR 200MSY NEO Series machine is the company’s first turning center in the NEO Series line.

The HQR-200MSY NEO multitasking turning center features two spindles and three turrets — two upper and one lower — for part processing opportunities and high-volume throughput in a single setup. The machine’s main spindle can handle 4" bar stock while the second spindle is capable of processing bar diameters up to 76 mm.

Visitors can also see the HCN-4000 NEO horizontal machining center (HMC) with a Palletech system for automated lights-out production. Designed to maximize productivity for any type of part material, the machine’s enhancements can improve overall performance from stability and accuracy to power consumption and maintenance.

For high production, attendees can experience custom models in Mazak’s full line of SyncrexSeries Swiss-type machines. Mazak’s Syncrex line encompasses machine barstock capacities ranging from 10 to 38 mm.

“Today’s manufacturers continue to struggle with a lack of skilled labor, surging production demands and an ever-changing economy, and they depend on advanced technology to overcome these challenges and maintain their profitability,” says Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corp. “Mazak has always been front and center at IMTS and in the manufacturing world, and our presence there gives shops the opportunity to learn more, do more and make more despite the headwinds the industry is facing.”

Adding to the exhibit is Mazak’s Ez Loader and other standard and customized automation solutions designed to enhance employee skills and combat the ongoing labor shortage. The Ez Loader is a standalone, plug-and-play cobot that uses a pallet, programmable logic controller and all necessary equipment for machine integration. Mazak Automation Solutions experts are on hand to discuss ways to efficiently and effectively integrate this and other Mazak automation into production.  

Additionally, Mazak showcases its development and integration of artificial intelligence and smart features into machine tool technology. The company showcases digital solutions like its Spindle Health Monitoring System. Using real-time continuous data, the system compiles a machine profile and “learns” to assess its health and performance. The machine’s health assessment allows the system to proactively diagnose pre-failure conditions before downtime occurs.

Every Mazak machine is backed by Mazak MPower Complete Customer Care, the company’s machine support program.