#SwarfandChips LIVE – ‘Mazak Automate Your Shop Floor’ – 06/07/18 – Ep 85

In this 25 minute Swarf and Chips Automation special, Lyndsey, Joe, Paul and Gio discuss automation solutions from Yamazaki Mazak as well as their partners.

The shows features the AutomatiON event, which included automation solutions from a range of providers, including Mazak, FANUC, RoboJob, Indunorm, Hydrafeed and Iemca, and was designed to highlight the wide range of automation options available to machine users across Europe and has been organised by Sadik Atay, European Strategic Development Director, and Mike Sykes, Automation Systems Manager at Mazak.

Highlights included, QUICK TURN 250MY TA-12/200, a ‘plug and play’ turning centre and robot which has been developed by Mazak and RoboJob, using a FANUC M-10iA robot controlled by Mazak’s SmoothG CNC. In addition, FANUC will also be demonstrating its collaborative robot capabilities, in partnership with a QUICK TURN 250MSY.

VARIAXIS i-300 AWC, an integrated 5-axis automation cell developed for lights-out machining of complex workpieces in high mix, low volume production. The machine has a compact footprint and a field expandable magazine that can hold up to 505 tools and is capable of machining applications up to Ø350mm x 315mm with a maximum weight of 60kg.

Continuing with automation in the 5-axis category, the event also features the VARIAXIS j-600/5X with an ultra-compact Indumatik® Toolchanger storing 250 tools. This combination offers a high-performance yet cost-effective solution to reduce set up time and unit cost for complex workpieces.

Also on display will be Mazak’s MPP (Multi Pallet Pool) which is being demonstrated with an HCN 4000 horizontal machining centre. The MPP, specifically designed for lights-out running, offers high-speed pallet transfer and an economic footprint – up to 40% smaller than a comparable PALLETECH system – and is controlled using the SmoothG CNC, which is equipped with Mazak’s SMOOTH MPP software application.

For automotive manufacturers and subcontractors working with high-volume, large lot production, the MULTIPLEX W-200Y + GL-100 combines a twin-spindle, two-turret machine with a superfast gantry loader for ultimate productivity. The GL robot features a new rack and pinion drive system boasting rapid rates of 75/160 m/min in the A/B axis, yielding up to 25 per cent reduction in load/unload time.

The MTD team really enjoyed the Mazak event as well as debating the solutions in the Swarf and Chips studio.

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