Four UK debuts for Mazak at MACH 2024
Estimated reading time 4 minutes
Yamazaki Mazak is aiming to give a further confidence boost to machine users at MACH 2024 with UK debuts for three machines and the new MAZATROL DX.
Featuring nine machines in total as part of Mazak’s “Building For Your Future” offering, customers will be able to discuss their requirements and take a look at the machines that are entry-level, user- friendly, robot-ready, cost-effective and available with short lead times.
One of the highlights will be the HCN-4000 NEO making its UK debut, a high-performance horizontal machining center with exceptional productivity, accuracy and environmental performance.
Alongside will be a second NEO machine, the VARIAXIS i-800 NEO, a next generation 5-axis machining center for full automatic operation over extended periods. With its high rigidity construction and equipped with a 10,000 rpm spindle as standard, machine users will be investing in outstanding accuracy and productivity.
The VARIAXIS is being exhibited with the Multi-Pallet Pool (MPP), a multiple pallet stocker system offering flexible storage for 6, 12 or 18 pallets, 500mm in size. The MPP easily handles scheduling, monitoring and resource checking using MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC, and is an ideal solution for machine users with limited floor space thanks to its compact design.
Both new NEO models achieve enhanced positioning, boasting three times better than ISO positioning accuracy and boast exceptional environmental credentials. Developed in line with Mazak’s GoGreen strategy, the NEO series technology is capable of delivering a 30% reduction in energy consumption for the VARIAXIS and a 24% reduction for HCN-4000.
Mazak will also be giving a UK debut to the FSW-460V, a ‘purpose built’ machine developed to overcome the key challenges faced by manufacturers adopting friction stir welding (FSW) technology to join materials.
With the FSW, Mazak has created a heavy-duty and highly rigid technology ideal for those requiring a machining and welding capability within the same machining envelope, in line with Mazak’s Done-In-One philosophy, to increase productivity and profitability. The machine is ideal for manufacturers working in volume production environments such as electric vehicle (EV), semi-conductor and heat transfer sectors.
In recent years, Mazak has invested in its UK production facility in Worcester to increase capacity and reduce lead times on UK designed and built machines. At MACH 2024, three of these entry-level machines will be on show.
The CV5-500 – which was designed specifically with automation in mind for entry-level 5 axis users to increase their productivity and profitability – is being exhibited with an Erowa Easy robot that is capable of handling workpieces up to 250 kg.
The VCE-500, the latest addition to the VCE range, is a highly affordable vertical machining center ideal for entry-level machine users looking for superior productivity, fast payback and improved profitability. And finally, the VCN-700, a next generation vertical machining center developed with a large 700 mm Y-axis. The machine being exhibited at MACH will be equipped with Mazak’s Ultraspindle, an optional 60,000 rpm spindle for high-speed super-finishing of intricate workpieces.
Also making its UK debut is a machine that extends NEO capability and performance into laser processing. The OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 12 kW automatically adjusts beam diameter to accommodate the cutting of various materials and thicknesses and is equipped with beam shaping technology which controls where the power density of the laser beam is concentrated. Together, these functions improve cutting speed and cutting quality for a wide range of materials.
The final UK-debut will be the new MAZATROL DX which extends the functionality of Mazak’s widely popular PC-based SmoothCAM Ai software. MAZATROL DX provides customers with valuable new capability to further optimise production with rapid and automatic quotations, automated part programming, virtual machine simulation, and machine process analysis and optimisation.
In addition to machines and technologies built in the UK or making their UK debuts, the Mazak stand will also exhibit the latest INTEGREX technology, the i-200H S and the QUICK TURN 250 MSY equipped with a TA robot for increased productivity. Visitors can also view first-hand the productivity gains from connected machines through Mazak iCONNECT.
Alan Mucklow, Managing Director UK, Eire and National Distributors at Yamazaki Mazak, commented: “MACH is the flagship machining event of 2024, and we will be bringing a range of new and UK-built machines that can enable machine users to access the technology to give them an immediate boost to productivity and profitability.
“We have significantly invested in our own UK manufacturing facilities in Worcester in recent years to increase develop and manufacture a range of machines now available on short lead-times and with highly competitive and innovative finance packages.
“UK manufacturing has once again proven to be robust in the face of a challenging economy, but with confidence growing we firmly believe that this is the time to build for your future and secure competitive advantage.”
