Mazak event draws more than 2,000 manufacturers

Mazak Corp.’s DISCOVER 2019 featured live machine tool demonstrations along with the North American premiere of productivity-enhancing tools – MAZATROL SmoothAi control and a mixed reality training and service support system. Also highlighted were recent investments in its Florence, Kentucky manufacturing campus – the new spindle rebuild facility in the campus’ South Building and additions to its Mazak iSMART Factory. 

Automation
Mazak’s SmoothAi control includes artificial-intelligence-driven machining functions such as SMOOTH Robot Cell Controller and SMOOTH Robot Teaching Assist making it easier to integrate a wide range of digital technologies into part-production operations. Featuring GUI enhancements, an optional second monitor, and operation panel enhancements, SmoothAi CNC also incorporates new products such as SMOOTH CAM Ai, MAZATROL TWINS software, and SMOOTH Project Manager.

Mazak’s Mixed Reality Training and remote service modalities addresses training, service, and maintenance with powerful display technology. The system takes virtual objects from VR and overlays them in the real world with an AR approach, enabling risk-free training and new possibilities for machine service and maintenance.

Machines under power during DISCOVER 2019 were paired with automation solutions such as articulating robots and palletized part loading/unloading systems. Other machine tool innovations included Mazak’s HYBRID multi-tasking series of machines, which add technologies such as 3D metal printing with Hot Wire Deposition (HWD) and using force to join metals with Friction Stir Welding (FSW) to conventional machine tools. 

Facility investments
The company’s new state-of-the-art Spindle Rebuild facility will provide efficient, high-quality OEM-factory-certified spindle rebuild services, improving Mazak’s ability to quickly deliver spindles and reduce customer downtime.

Mazak’s automated manufacturing cell spotlights its SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY digital manufacturing solutions – including Smooth Spindle Health Monitoring – contributing to increased productivity and maximized machine use. The manufacturing cell features MAZATEC Smart Manufacturing System (SMS) for both machine pallet and raw material stocking and six Mazak advanced machine tools that incorporate SmartBox IIoT technology.