Mazak MegaStir

7 Reasons to Make DISCOVER 2021 Your Must-See Event This Year

Mazak MegaStir — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:10:49 +0000

You’re on the lookout for every advantage that can propel your shop past your competition. At Mazak, we offer a long list of great solutions to help you do just that – and we’re going to share that list with you as we Move Manufacturing Forward at DISCOVER 2021, October 25-29 at our North American Headquarters Campus in Florence, Kentucky.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience Mazak’s latest innovations, gain insights into industry trends and technologies, and put your shop on the path to even greater success. Here’s an advance look at some of what you’ll see when you join us at DISCOVER 2021 – and seven reasons you don’t want to miss a minute of the high-tech action.

1. Machines and Technology

We’ve set up four Action Areas to structure our live machine demonstrations and featured technologies so they focus on specific solutions for customers like you. With high production technology, affordable solutions for job shops, advanced manufacturing technology and all aspects of customer support, we’ve rounded up new approaches, ideas and solutions to help you scale up your productivity.

Want to see the entire list of featured technologies? Visit our DISCOVER 2021 site – and be ready to see machines that make their global debuts at this event.

2. Swiss-Type Machines – Made the Mazak Way

Do you make small, precise parts? Are you looking for new ways to increase your productivity – with Mazak’s legendary quality and precision? At DISCOVER 2021, we’ll have big news to share with you, along with new technologies you’ll absolutely want to see firsthand.

3. Digital Solutions

What’s really happening on your shop floor? If you haven’t networked your machine tools and benchmarked their performance in depth, you don’t actually know how well you’re doing and how you can improve.

Find out how Mazak Digital Solutions can analyze your productivity, provide advanced cybersecurity, track spindle health with predictive analytics – and speed your programming with the next-generation MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC.

4. MPower Complete Customer Care

Mazak gives you single-source end-to-end support for the life of every machine tool. With a comprehensive 2-year warranty, operator training, immediate access to technical support and 97% same-day shipping on parts orders, MPower wraps up every aspect of machine support into an always-on program that’s with you every step of the way.

At DISCOVER 2021, learn about every aspect of MPower and see how Mazak puts you first.

5. Keynotes and Knowledge Bars

You expect to hear from industry experts at a DISCOVER event, and we’ve lined up a stellar list of insiders to share the latest trends in productivity and technology. At our Keynote presentations, you’ll learn about critical topics in automation, job shop profitability, overall manufacturing trends and much more. Our Knowledge Bars will clue you in with expertise on Autodesk CAD/CAM software, automation, HYBRID technologies, machine networking, Mazak Capital Equipment Financing (MCEF) and MAZATROL conversational programming. It’s an outstanding roundup of learning opportunities – and we’re eager to give you expert answers to your tough questions.

6. Mazak Capital Equipment Financing (MCEF)

Traditional financing sources don’t understand the lease and purchase needs of manufacturers. Skip the hassles and finance your next Mazak with Mazak itself, through a seamless one-stop process with quick responses and excellent rates.

Add the technologies you need without the stress. Find out how MCEF can make your next Mazak a reality.

7. DISCOVER ON-DEMAND

You know you want to be here for every exciting minute of DISCOVER 2021, but we understand that not everyone’s going to be able to join us in person. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out. With DISCOVER ON-DEMAND, you’ll be in the know with early-bird event information, dozens of machine and technology-demonstration videos, plus bi-weekly content as the event draws nearer.

Everyone who attends DISCOVER 2021 gains access to DISCOVER ON-DEMAND – but overall space is limited. If you can’t join us in person this year, register just for DISCOVER ON-DEMAND so you’ll experience all the innovations and resources.

We know you’re busy – and we know you want to put your shop ahead. Find the solutions you need to enhance your future success. Register today for DISCOVER 2021.

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Mazak Brings Our Factory to You With the 360° Virtual Campus Tour

Mazak MegaStir — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:42:19 +0000

Since the 1970s, Mazak has manufactured advanced machining technology at our Florence, Kentucky-based campus here in the heartlands. Through the years, our U.S. headquarters has become one of the most technologically sophisticated manufacturing facilities in the world – and the hub of a global network of Technology and Technical Centers that gives customers access to Mazak’s world-class service and support. And now, through our 360º Virtual Campus Tour, it’s easier than ever for you to see how the team at Mazak uses our infrastructure to support your shop.

Part of Mazak Interactive, our new range of digital experiences, the new virtual tour uses 360° video, complete audio narration and VR-device compatibility to bring the campus to your device. You get the full virtual VIP treatment, starting with a welcome from Mazak President Dan Janka and extending throughout the tour, as we take you through the Mazak iSMART Factory, National Technology Center and North American Parts Center.

The factory floor is the star of the show. From welding and laser processing to final assembly and shipping, you can experience the entire part-production process, as we use Mazaks to build Mazaks. You’ll also see our automation systems, including a full PALLETECH System linking together dissimilar machines for fully automated lights-out production.

And beyond the excitement of the Mazak iSMART Factory, the rest of our campus is well worth the visit. The National Technology Center brings together some of the most experienced Mazak applications engineers, CNC programmers and machining specialists to help our customers solve their toughest challenges. Whether it’s classes at the National Learning Center, a seminar in our MAZATROL Lab or a visit to the Center for Multi-Tasking and Manufacturing Excellence, you’ll see why so many Mazak customers make the team at the National Technology Center their partners in the pursuit of manufacturing success.

Of course, manufacturing success requires consistency, reliability and uptime – and at the North American Parts and Spindle Rebuild Center, you’ll see how we maximize our customers’ productivity. Our 97% same-day shipping rate relies on the tens of thousands of unique parts we keep stored in an advanced vertical storage/retrieval system, while our new Spindle Rebuild Department has the experience and resources to handle more than 100 rebuilt spindles per month.

Even if you’ve visited our Kentucky campus before, you’re almost certain to see new developments on the virtual tour, such as the new MAZATEC Smart Manufacturing System (SMS) installation that links together multiple horizontal machining centers and Multi-Tasking Mazak machines, or the recently completed expansion of the Spindle Rebuild Department. Take a look at our virtual tour today – and if you want to see even more, reach out to your local Mazak representative for information on scheduling an in-person visit to Florence. We look forward to seeing you!

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Mazak Delivers Progressive Learning Directly to Your Shop

Mazak MegaStir — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 21:06:42 +0000

A well-trained team is crucial for manufacturing success. That’s why Mazak has long offered a Progressive Learning program with hands-on training for all of our equipment at Technology and Technical Centers across North America. However, as with most aspects of life in 2020, COVID-19 has changed the way we approach training at Mazak – and with the help of advanced technology, we’ve made it more accessible than ever, with remote learning opportunities that have been so popular that they’ll remain a staple of our educational programs going forward.

Mazak has long offered online, on-demand training through Tooling U-SME, with 60 days of free access to the full course catalog and more than 20 custom Mazak-focused modules with every machine purchase. For more in-depth lessons, however, instructor-led courses have always been preferred – it’s much easier to learn how to program at the control or maintain a machine when you can ask questions and interact with the technology directly. This became a challenge as manufacturers increasingly cancelled travel plans in response to the pandemic, so Mazak quickly reacted, gearing up to allow its instructors to teach courses online.

Today, all of our Progressive Learning classes are offered online, and many shops have discovered that this has numerous unexpected advantages. Classes rarely last all day, for example, so rather than losing a valuable member of the team for a few days of off-site training, operators can log off and head right back into the shop. And while Mazak offers two years of free training with every machine, manufacturers generally cover travel expenses, which are obviously not a factor when the classroom is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

The online instructor-led courses were so popular that Mazak plans to continue offering them going forward. Thanks to our fully connected classrooms and online learning platform, in-person and online classes can be taught at the same time. Students on site and across the country can bounce questions back and forth while discussing coursework, and software like TeamViewer allows instructors to see students using simulated controls to help troubleshoot issues and teach new concepts.

We’ve also been investing in our ability to integrate truly revolutionary digital technology in our remote training programs. New learning management systems, for example, will make it easier for Mazak to offer on-demand training modules, while our All Axes LIVE event series ensures that our customers have access to information on the latest Mazak technology. Perhaps the most exciting development is our continued expansion of the use of Mixed Reality training to bring our hands-on lessons to students no matter where they’re logged in.

Currently, instructors are using Microsoft HoloLens equipment to show students exactly what the instructor sees while performing maintenance operations. Like a 3D whiteboard, the instructor can mark objects, draw circles or otherwise indicate various features in 3D space using spatial anchors. This already acts as a big improvement to simple videos, but the technology promises to take training even further in the future, especially as virtual reality goggles and other devices make it possible for students to bring the technology into their own shop, which will allow instructors to give lessons directly at a shop’s machine.

Mazak has already begun offering in-person classes again, and we’re happy to welcome our customers back to our Technology and Technical Centers as well as our headquarters in Florence, Kentucky, with updated protocols designed to keep all students and employees safe. But for those who prefer to take lessons remotely, we’re proud to offer a more robust and comprehensive selection of online courses than ever before. Take a look at our class schedule and expand your manufacturing skill set today.

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Pandemic Creates New Job Roles and Fosters Automation Investment

Mazak MegaStir — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:59:53 +0000

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This observation was made by philosopher George Santayana in 1905, but can help manufacturers today avoid mistakes in responding to the impacts of the pandemic. History shows that there are two likely outcomes of the current crisis which relate to manufacturing. First, automation and digital manufacturing technologies will expand sooner and faster than the manufacturing technology market as a whole over the next two years. Second, this growth spurt will lead to changes in the manufacturing workforce throughout the recovery.University studies point to a strong relationship between recessions and sudden bursts of expansion in automation and digital tech investment. Researchers at the Universities of Zurich and British Columbia found that 88 percent of job loss over the past three recessions occurred in automatable occupations.Evidence to corroborate this research exists in the manufacturing technology market. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines represented about a third of U.S. production and consumption of manufacturing technology in the years just before the 1981-82 recession. CNC machines grew steadily, but slowly, as a percentage of U.S. manufacturing technology production and consumption since the early 1970s. But during the recession, CNC machines jumped from 33 percent of manufacturing technology production to 41 percent and remained at that level until the stock market crash of 1987. CNC machines’ share of production and consumption jumped 14 points in less than two years during the recovery from the 1987 crash. Most recently, the decline and rebound of orders for robots, automation, and new technology (i.e., horizontal CNC B-axis lathes) were much less dramatic than the 60 percent drop that overall manufacturing technology orders experienced during the Great Recession of 2009. As an example, two years out from the start of the recession, robot and and CNC B-axis lathe orders were up five and 13 percent, respectively, from their 2008 levels while the manufacturing technology market was still 25 percent shy of its 2008 mark.

The increased share of investment spent on automation and digital technologies has a direct impact on productivity, prices and employment levels. U.S. manufacturing employment peaked in 1979 at 19.5 million people, and the average value added per employee in 2012 dollars was $43,000. In each of the next three major recessions, employment was lower at the recession’s end, but the value added per employee climbed by 17 to 20 percent. The growth was due in large part to increased investment in new technology, but leaner operations also played a part. Research from University of Rochester found that hundreds of job roles and positions that were automatable were eliminated during the Great Recession. They were replaced in wholesale fashion with a mix of technology and higher-skilled workers as the economy improved. A Brookings Institute paper suggests that 59 percent of the manufacturing jobs that existed before this pandemic have the potential to be replaced with automation during this recession and in early stages of the recovery.

Understanding that automation will likely expand during this recession while large numbers of job roles will change offers opportunities. Help your customers not only survive but grow in this downturn through investments in automation and DONE IN ONE® technologies. This will require manufacturers to learn about the return on investment in productivity technologies like automated materials handling, Multi-Tasking and HYBRID Multi-Tasking machines, and other digital technologies. You can also help customers by developing methodical investment strategies to intelligently integrate the latest technology. Manufacturers need to take a hard look at what skills they have versus what they will need to get the most out of new technology investments. Downturns are great opportunities for restructuring your processes and training your people. When business begins to pick up, don’t hire for positions where people were laid-off. Hire or train people to expand productivity along with your investment strategy. Upskill your workforce for the production technology you will have instead of what you had and your workers will grow into that technology. Then set your sights on repeating the process in five to seven years remembering that history will repeat itself.

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Mazak’s Inaugural All Axes LIVE Event Connects with Customers Across North America and Worldwide

Mazak MegaStir — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:05:56 +0000

FLORENCE, Ky., August 13, 2020 – With the success of its inaugural All Axes LIVE online event, Mazak has reimagined how the industry connects with manufacturers and set a new standard for online events. Held on August 11, 2020 and streamed live from Mazak’s Midwest Technology Center, All Axes LIVE drew large crowds from across North America and worldwide. The company’s All Axes LIVE online event series is part of a new, holistic digital customer experience designed to elevate the customer experience by providing unprecedented virtual access to new Mazak manufacturing technology, as well as new opportunities to engage with experts and the larger manufacturing community. Over one thousand manufacturers registered to attend the first All Axes LIVE event.

Described as a paradigm shift for events in the manufacturing industry, All Axes LIVE was well received by the media, attendees and Mazak’s industry partners. “The response to our first All Axes LIVE event has been overwhelming,” said Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corporation. “From the moment the event began on Tuesday and in the hours that followed, I’ve received countless messages of support from customers, our supplier partners and members of the press, all of which expressed excitement and enthusiasm about this new opportunity to engage with our customers on a new level.”

The format for All Axes LIVE includes both live and on-demand cutting demonstrations, technology presentations, and opportunities for customers to ask questions and interact with Mazak experts in real time. Participants can also use the event application to schedule meetings and visits to Mazak’s eight North American Technology Centers and be part of continued conversation in a variety of customized social media environments.

Upcoming All Axes LIVE events are already scheduled for September, October and December of 2020, as well as January 2021. Additional details and registration for upcoming All Axes LIVE events are coming soon. In addition to All Axes LIVE, the Mazak will release its new Virtual Technology Center and 360 Kentucky Campus Tour in the coming weeks. Mazak’s network of North American Technology and Technical Centers are open, fully functional and welcoming visitors. To schedule a visit, please contact your local Mazak sales representative. For more information, visit MazakUSA.com and follow Mazak on Facebook, Twitter.

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Fabricating a COVID-19 Solution the Mazak Way

Mazak MegaStir — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:50:05 +0000

At Mazak, we’re proud to manufacture some of the best machine tools in the world at our North American Headquarters in Florence, Kentucky, from cost-effective turning machines to the most advanced HYBRID Multi-Tasking systems. A big part of this is our Fabrication Department, which leverages powerful laser processing equipment, an experienced team of welders and an automated powder-painting process to create the enclosures for all our machines.

When COVID-19 first showed up in the U.S., however, our fabricators soon found themselves faced with a new challenge thanks to a chance meeting in March between Mazak Corporation President Dan Janka and Oliver Lawal, who leads AquiSense Technologies, in nearby Erlanger, Kentucky. AquiSense produces UV-C LED light systems designed for chemical-free air, water and surface disinfection. With the critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) across the U.S., AquiSense was interested in manufacturing a new product to help medical professionals and other essential workers get the most out of their limited supply of N95 masks.

Unfortunately, AquiSense was having difficulty finding a manufacturer able to take on the challenge of rapidly producing prototypes for the accelerated testing schedule necessary to respond to a crisis. In an effort to be a good neighbor – and help address a growing problem in the healthcare industry – Mazak stepped in to help. AquiSense sent over its initial designs, and in less than 24 hours, we confirmed it could be done, and got to work.

In a production environment like Mazak’s, where every square inch is optimized for manufacturing machine tools and related technology, switching gears did present some challenges. The Fabrication Department, for example, works almost exclusively with the steel sheet metal used for Mazak machine enclosures. The AquiSense solution, on the other hand, was designed with a stainless steel exterior and a highly reflective aluminum interior that ensured nine UV-C LEDs could expose every side of a mask to disinfecting ultraviolet light.

In addition to establishing processes that could efficiently cut and bend these materials with our existing equipment, Mazak’s fabricators had to learn how to process these parts without marring the mirror surface finish. In addition, Mazak engineers optimized the design for optimal manufacturability at scale, such as finding more effective ways to keep all of the light within the device enclosure.

The new product, which AquiSense would later name the PearlSurface, also required nine plastic components, but the company contracted to produce these with injection molding fell through. Instead, Mazak took on the task with our in-house 3D printers. In fact, to meet AquiSense’s aggressive deadline for 50 prototype units, many Mazak engineers brought the job home, using their own 3D printers to help the team reach their goal.

Just 12 days after receiving the initial design, Mazak completed the prototypes. Like many job shops with Mazak machine tools, we have the flexibility to handle big changes to production as well as the agility to adapt to new processes. It’s a story that demonstrates the Rock Solid expertise of the Mazak team – and the importance of local manufacturing when collaborating on solutions, particularly when tight turnaround times and emergency situations demand exceptional speed.

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Technology and Innovation Will Keep Manufacturers Competitive

Mazak MegaStir — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 18:30:05 +0000

Manufacturing has always been defined by relentless innovation. Across industries and around the world, shops have pursued cutting-edge technologies to maintain a competitive advantage, from the rise of NC and CNC machining to today’s fully interconnected and online facilities. And in response to the pressing issues of our time, such as the widening skills gap or the rise of mass customization, OEMs like Mazak have sought to provide state-of-the-art solutions that make it possible for operators to be more productive than ever before.

As the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reshape the global economy, however, manufacturers are facing new challenges that will likely require an even greater dedication to innovation. As your machine tool partner, Mazak is committed to developing innovative technologies and recognizes the role research and scientific discovery play in positioning shops of all sizes to better compete in today’s market. But to position your shop for success, you need to leverage advanced manufacturing technology that can help you drive your own innovations and creativity.

Mazak has long been on the forefront of developing manufacturing technology that simplifies processes and provides more room for innovation. MAZATROL conversational programming, for example, has been enabling novice machinists to immediately add value to a shop by using a simple graphical and intuitive programming language that minimizes the use of G-codes. The Mazak SmartBox makes it possible for digitally savvy shops to run a wide range of edge-computing applications while protecting their data with industry-leading cybersecurity. And accessible technologies like SMOOTH Link give shops the opportunity to perform simple and effective monitoring with just a MAZATROL Smooth CNC and a commercial Wi-Fi router.

As summer starts heating up – and businesses start to reopen – Mazak remains committed to pushing technology further. The latest generation of its SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY platform, the MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC, comes with a range of new software modules to help unleash companies’ innovation. MAZATROL TWINS and SMOOTH CAM Ai, for example, represent massive increases in terms of CAD/CAM and CNC integration for speedy program development and comprehensive process monitoring. Perhaps most exciting, solutions like SMOOTH Ai Spindle and Ai Thermal Shield use data to optimize processes in real time with machine learning algorithms – all of which give manufacturers more time to focus on innovating new products rather than crunching data to optimize processes.

Of course, emerging technologies have never been a replacement for good old-fashioned ingenuity – and while artificial intelligence has found its way into Mazak CNCs, it can’t innovate new products or create business growth roadmaps. Instead, manufacturers often rely on the natural intelligence of Mazak application experts, who are happy to partner with shops to help them turn clever ideas into real products – especially when those products will make a difference in the world around us.

Find out how Mazak can be your shop’s partner for innovation. Check out our COVID-19 Survival Kit for Manufacturers for details on how we can support your manufacturing operations – and boost your capacity for manufacturing creativity – during these uncertain times.

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Mazak Launches New Holistic Digital Experience for Customers

Mazak MegaStir — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:48:09 +0000

FLORENCE, Ky., June 24, 2020 – Mazak today announced the launch of a new, three-pronged holistic digital customer experience, which features a new interactive tour of its Kentucky campus, immersive Virtual Technology Center and All Axes LIVE, an ongoing series of robust online events where attendees gain exclusive access to new never-before-seen Mazak manufacturing technology. The first-of-its-kind digital experience begins with the first installment of All Axes LIVE from Mazak’s Midwest Technology Center on August 11, 2020 at 11:00 AM ET.

“At Mazak, we are in a unique position to understand the changing needs and expectations of North American manufacturers, both as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-increasingly competitive business landscape,” said Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corporation. “As a local manufacturer, we have challenged ourselves to be agile and find new ways of doing business. Our new digital experience applies what we’ve learned to provide unprecedented access to our products, technology, customer support and expertise, and most importantly, puts our customers in the driver’s seat.”

All Axes LIVE & VARIAXIS C-600 w/MAZATROL SmoothAi Launch

The first installment of All Axes LIVE, Mazak will launch the new VARIAXIS C-600 5-axis machining center with its dedicated MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC, as well as new automation solutions. The new user friendly and cost-effective VARIAXIS C-600 is a highly capable machine, making it an ideal first step into 5-axis machining for shops of all sizes. It fulfills demands for increased speed, stability and power as well as for maximum tool capacity. Automation ready, the VARIAXIS C-600 integrates seamlessly with two-pallet changers, overhead gantry loaders/unloaders and standalone robots.

To further enhance automation integration, the VARIAXIS C-600 provides both front and side automatic door operation. The machine’s full front door also spans from the top to the bottom of the machine, which makes for exceptional user access and superior ergonomics. An automatic side door allows shops to load and unload parts at the side of the machine, freeing up the machine’s front work area and eliminating any interference between automation and operators at the front door.

Featured on the VARIAXIS C-600, Mazak’s new MAZATROL SmoothAi is the company’s most advanced control yet. The CNC is designed to simplify everything from part programming to automation integration. With the introduction of the new control, Mazak remains the only machine tool builder with a complete and dedicated Multi-Tasking and 5-axis machining control solution. MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC makes EIA/ISO and/or MAZATROL conversational programming faster and easier than ever before and features functions such as SMOOTH Project Manager, SMOOTH CAM Ai and MAZATROL TWINS that help expedite manage, create and deploy part programs.

Automation highlighted during All Axes LIVE will include the RoboJob TA200 which features an articulating robot with a 44.1-lb (20 kg) payload capacity and dedicated loading/unloading station and is equipped with an Area Scanner to create a safe open layout. The robot’s dual three-jaw grippers can accommodate parts ranging from 0.39″ to 6.69″ (10 mm to 170 mm) in diameter, while a simple fixed workpiece table ensures easy loading of pre-cut stacks of raw material and unloading of finished parts with minimal operator intervention.

An extension of Mazak’s successful All Axes podcast, All Axes LIVE offers participants a wide range of on-demand educational sessions, facility tours, live cutting demonstrations and the ability to ask questions in real time. Additional details and online registration will be available free of charge beginning July 6, 2020 at MazakUSA.com.

The Virtual Technology Center

Following the launch of its series of All Axes LIVE events, Mazak will roll out its reimagined Virtual Technology Center and Interactive 360 Kentucky Campus Tour to extend the product and technology experience beyond traditional events, as well as bring the benefits of its 800,000 sq. ft. campus to customers across North America on demand. The Virtual Technology Center will feature a rotating lineup of groundbreaking machines, automation systems and digital technology, as well as the ability to request quotes, schedule in-person visits and innovative ways for customers to connect with Mazak experts.

Interactive 360 Kentucky Campus Tour

The interactive 360 Kentucky Campus Tour will allow visitors to explore Mazak’s North American Manufacturing Plant, National Technology Center and National Parts Center, including the newly completed, state-of-the-art Spindle Remanufacturing Facility. This advanced facility provides the fastest turnaround times possible for high-quality, OEM-factory-certified spindle rebuild services. To minimize downtime, customers can purchase remanufactured spindles, which ship within 24 hours or opt for rebuild within five days.

Details on both the Virtual Technology Center and Interactive 360 Kentucky Campus Tour will be available in the coming days and weeks. For updates, follow Mazak on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and visit MazakUSA.com. Subscribe to the All Axes podcast, wherever you stream content.

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COVID-19 Update: We’re Open and Ready to Welcome You Back Safely

Mazak MegaStir — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 19:48:33 +0000

Dear Valued Mazak Customer,

I hope this message finds you and your families healthy and well. It goes without saying that the last few months have posed unique challenges for all of us and that we are eager for our lives and businesses to return to normal. At Mazak, we have already taken steps to safely reopen all of our North American facilities, including our Florence, Kentucky campus and regional network of Technology and Technical Centers. Our team is ready to assist you and ensure that you have access to the support and resources you need, safely and in a variety of ways.

Visit our Campus and Technology Centers – Our Florence, Kentucky campus and Regional Technology Centers are open and fully operational. Contact your local Mazak sales representative to schedule a time to visit us.
Robust Online Training – A full schedule of enhanced online learning opportunities can be accessed from the safety of your home or office.
Parts Are Shipping – Our North American Parts Center is fully stocked and fully operational, shipping 97% of all parts same day. Factory-direct parts specialists are available to answer your questions. Visit us on the web or call 888-4MAZAK1 (888-462-9251).
Service Technicians Are Ready to Help — Our service technicians are at the ready to help you troubleshoot issues over the phone and respond to your needs quickly and efficiently in the field. You can count on a guaranteed response to any technical question within 1 hour via our 24/7 phone support system.
There’s Never Been a Better Time To Invest – Special pricing and record-low financing rates make owning a Mazak easier than ever. Contact MCC Credit Group for more information.
Safety Above all Things — The safety of our associates and customers remains our top priority. All Mazak associates at our Florence, Kentucky headquarters, local facilities and in the field are strictly adhering to all Federal, State, and Local Executive Orders and recommendations outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that you have access to the support you need.

At the onset of COVID-19, we were all faced with uncertainty as we continued our essential work. But we forged ahead, individually and as an industry and have made tremendous progress. We’ve seen our customers demonstrate unprecedented agility as they’ve shifted production lines to manufacture personal protective equipment for healthcare workers on the front lines. We’ve partnered with companies of all sizes to bridge the skills gap through online training and education. Capitalizing on digital resources, we’ve redefined the meaning of teamwork and collaboration, all of which reinforce the spirit of innovation and creativity that drives this industry.

As we prepare for recovery, I am more certain than ever that together, we will emerge from this stronger, smarter and ready to compete at a new level. At Mazak, we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure you that you have everything you need to succeed. As always, thank you for your support and partnership. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Dan Janka, President

Mazak Corporation

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Probe Your Parts in 20 Seconds With SMOOTH Set & Inspect

Mazak MegaStir — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 19:24:49 +0000

As manufacturing technology has grown more and more sophisticated, the level of complexity has grown as well. Even modest machine tools today have precision that can be measured in microns – which means part and tool setup must be just as precise. Of course, CNC technology has always depended on accurate measurements, but the process of part locating and inspection can be cumbersome and time-consuming. So, just as Mazak simplified CNC programming with MAZATROL, it now offers a software solution called SMOOTH Set & Inspect that makes part setup, inspection and tool setting as simple as answering a few questions and hitting a machine’s “cycle start” button.

A part of the SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY suite of software solutions available on MAZATROL Smooth controls, SMOOTH Set & Inspect fully integrates Renishaw inspection probes with Mazak’s CNC platform. The result is a secure, efficient solution that can cut inspection setup down from 10-15 minutes to 20 seconds, time savings that add up quickly.

The key to SMOOTH Set & Inspect is the streamlined user interface, which offers a conversational platform for inspection and tool setting much like MAZATROL itself. After selecting whether to perform a measurement or calibration cycle, users make a selection from a list of part feature types or tool setting options and enter in the correct parameters. The control does the rest of the work, automatically generating an inspection program, and results are available immediately through the interface for quick corrections.

SMOOTH Set & Inspect also supports the creation of in-process gauging programs, which can be generated with the same conversational style. The finished product can be copied and pasted directly into a part program for mid or post-process gauging. Likewise, inspection programs can be built into processes designed for unattended production; to ensure continued precision across hours of machining, inspection can be performed, for instance, every 10 pieces or every 30 minutes. And for part validation, the program can even generate alarms for incorrectly sized parts for improved process security.

In the past, so much of manufacturing relied on machinists looking through G-code textbooks and manuals to build each part program piece by piece, inspection routines included. Mazak has continuously created easier ways to develop programs, starting with MAZATROL. SMOOTH Set & Inspect brings the same conversational simplicity to probing and tool setting, helping shops further reduce setup time and achieve exceptional accuracy.

The post Probe Your Parts in 20 Seconds With SMOOTH Set & Inspect first appeared on Mazak MegaStir.

The post Probe Your Parts in 20 Seconds With SMOOTH Set & Inspect appeared first on Mazak MegaStir.