Company continues to support customers in local area's two key industries
Florence, Kentucky, March 6, 2013 – In support of the growing aerospace and medical industries, Mazak Corporation is hosting a Discover More With Mazak event at its Northeast Technology Center in Windsor Locks, Conn., May 14, 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The event will highlight some to the most advanced manufacturing systems available today paired with expert guidance and applications support for meeting the ever-expanding production needs of the area's aerospace, medical and other manufacturing sectors.
At the event, productivity-improving Mazak machine tools will be showcased through real-world application machining demonstrations. These include aerospace hard-metal machining on a HORIZONTAL CENTER NEXUS 6800 HM (Hard Metal Package) and medical implant machining on a VERTICAL CENTER NEXUS COMPACT. Additionally, new Mazak machines debuted for the first time in the area at the event will be the VARIAXIS i-700, VARIAXIS i-800 and the VERTICAL CENTER UNIVERSAL 400. Also, over the course of the three-day Discover More with Mazak event, several technology presentations and expert guests will provide attendees with valuable manufacturing insight.
On Wednesday, May 15, special keynote speaker Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group, a company that supplies independent aerospace and defense industry market analysis, will share his vast knowledge of the aviation and aerospace industries and speak about the commercial airline industry. Aboulafia also writes publicly about the aviation field, with numerous articles published in Aviation Week, Aerospace America and the Wall Street Journal.
For attendees processing tough-to-machine materials, such as those used in the aerospace industry, Mazak will highlight its HORIZONTAL CENTER NEXUS 6800 HM Machining Center at the event. The heavy-duty machine features a high-torque spindle and an extremely rigid construction that provides machining stability with an overall weight more than two tons heavier than the standard machine configuration. Designed to meet the needs of shops supplying the medical industry, Mazak's new space saving, high-speed VERTICAL CENTER NEXUS COMPACT will be showcased equipped with a 20,000-rpm spindle. The 5-axis, 40-taper spindle Vertical Machining Center features a backlash-free NC rotary/tilt table as standard and provides fast cycle times and precision part surface contouring capability for small, complex medical parts. Together with its machine tool technology, Mazak will also present its 3-4-5 The Next Level of Productivity that allows shops to more precisely identify the right level of technology for their particular operations. The 3-4-5 solution is the industry's most comprehensive grouping of manufacturing resources and one that encompasses Mazak's 3 Levels of Control, 4 Levels of Automation and 5 Levels of Multi-Tasking. Additionally, Mike Finn, Mazak Process Development Engineer, will give a presentation on turbine blade machining with Multi-Tasking Machines. He'll discuss how the machines improve the process by providing synchronized workholding that's driven at both blade ends. And how they allow for simultaneous 5-axis contouring with the option to run either bull or ball nose cutters to reduce machining cycle times and improve surface finishes.
Mazak Value Inspired Partners (VIP) will also attend the event, including LNS, Parlec, Renishaw Metrology, Royal Products, Seco Tools and online training provider Tooling U. As partners, the companies work with Mazak to help provide manufacturers with total solutions. The VIP program promotes higher levels of cooperation among companies offering complementary manufacturing products. On the new technology side, the Northeast Discover More With Mazak event will feature the new VARIAXIS i-700 and VARIAXIS i-800 machines. These full, simultaneous 5-axis Machining Centers will demonstrate to attendees the capability to perform multiple and complex curved surface machining on large, heavy workpieces in single setups. The machines reduce production lead times, improve machining accuracy and lower operating costs.
For increased ease of operation, the VARIAXIS i-700 and i-800 both feature Mazak's new MATRIX 2 CNC control. Mazak also offers a wide range of maximum spindle speeds for increased versatility and various tool magazine capacities for partprocessing flexibility.
Mazak's new highly versatile small footprint VERTICAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (VCU) 400 Vertical Machining Center brings advanced technology and production value to high precision small-parts machining for various industries, including aerospace and medical. Based on a modular design platform, the machine is easily configured as a 3-axis fixed table, as is the case with the VCU 400, or as 5-axis rotary/tilt table model. The VCU 400 comes standard with a fast 10,000-rpm, 15-hp, 40-taper spindle that delivers unbeatable metal removal capabilities for all common materials, including steel, aluminum and cast iron. An optional 12,000-rpm spindle is also available, as well as a two-pallet changer option on 3-axis version for reduced part cycle times Other machines at the event include the MEGATURN NEXUS 900M that combines turning and secondary machining operations to efficiently cut large cast iron and steel workpieces, such as those commonly processed in the jet engine manufacturing sector. Also being highlighted is the INTEGREX i-630V that performs heavy-duty 5-axis cutting via high-torque turning and milling spindles for large, heavy workpieces typically requiring long set up times. And event attendees will see the INTEGREX i-200S with twin turning spindles and a milling spindle The Multi-Tasking machine efficiently and accurately processes mid-size complex components through turning, drilling, tapping and milling operations, along with off-centerline and full simultaneous 5-axis contouring. Attendees will also have full access to the Northeast Technology Center's regional industry expertise and application engineering resources. Engineers and technicians will be on hand at the machining demonstrations to answer questions and discuss all aspects of the manufacturing process, including cutting tools, workholding, automation, material handling, quality assurance, chip handling, coolant, safety and software. The Mazak Northeast Technology Center at 700 Old County Circle in Windsor Locks, Conn. is conveniently located near the Bradley International Airport. Discover More With Mazak—Northeast event registration information will be posted on www.mazakusa.com. Student Day for the event is scheduled for Friday, May 17, and Mazak expects over 100 local area students will attend.
Mazak welcomes those attending the EASTEC 2013 show in West Springfield, Mass., to also visit the Discover More With Mazak – Northeast event.
Various CAD/CAM and accessory suppliers are proud supporters of this event.