Mazak's Investment in People, Technology Delivering Socially-Responsible Machine Tools

Led by multi-tasking, 5-axis, and processintegration strategies, Yamazaki Mazak Corporation is continuing global expansion at a steady pace. Mazak's philosophy has always been to manufacture machine tools in the major markets of the world and develop a closer relationship with local customers. Supporting the commitment to people and manufacturing technology is Mazak's commitment to the industry.

During a three-day event this past December, "Manufacturing Technologies for Global Competitiveness," Mazak announced an industry first. Relocation detectors are being installed on all Mazak machine tools being produced – detectors will prevent the resale of Mazak machines into countries that are prohibited under export laws of the United States and Japanese governments. "Installation of these detectors will be on every machine Yamazaki Mazak manufactures," says Brian Papke, Mazak Corporation president. "We recognize that some potential customers may be reluctant to buy our machines with these detectors in place, but we believe this industry-leading action is the right thing to do."

In order for a machine to operate once it's been moved or installed, a unique password must be entered. Each time the machine is moved, the password must be reissued by Mazak. While this technology has been available for a while, this is the first implementation to prevent violation of export restrictions. According to Papke, this initiative was launched by Tomohisa Yamazaki, president of Yamazaki Mazak Corp., and will apply to all machines sold by Mazak, no exceptions.

The state-of-the-art AS/RS is capable of handling up to 50,000 repair part numbers. The parts call center has been strengthened with an integrated order entry system and additional parts specialists.

In Kentucky, Mazak's U.S. manufacturing is constantly changing under the direction of Ben Schawe, vice president of manufacturing. "Right now, we're lookingto increase production," Schawe says. "We already have Production-On-Demand, our pull-through manufacturing system. We're evolving now to High Production-On-Demand. Our goal is to maintain the same excellent quality, the same efficiency, yet increase the number of machines we're producing in Kentucky for U.S. customers and for export."

Mazak vcn nexus assembly: Modular assembly speeds completion of Nexus vertical machining centers at Mazak's Florence, KY manufacturing plant.

The newest investment in production equipment is the massive double-column Mazak Versatech V140 N with a 122" x 393" table – improving machining productivity for bases, columns, and other large machine members. With a nutating head that includes B- and C-axis positioning on a 50hp spindle, the machine will increase processing productivity 50%.

Growing technology

Impacted by an ever-increasing base of installed machines as well as regular new product introductions, Mazak's North American Parts Center in Florence received new investments as well. The heart of the Parts Center is the state-of-the-art $2 million automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) capable of handling up to 50,000 repair part numbers. The parts call center has been strengthened with an integrated order entry system and additional parts specialists. And the module exchange program has expanded to not only include remanufactured spindles, but ATC's, tool turrets, and more. With a centrally-located inventory of more than $50 million in parts, Mazak can continue to ship 97% of parts orders within 24 hours for every Mazak machine ever installed in North America. Mazak maintains a domestic inventory in excess of 46,000 part numbers including everything from ballscrews, linear guides, motors, and spindles to the smallest non-critical items including commercial parts.