Mazak announces dates for industry’s most popular manufacturing event
FLORENCE, Ky., June 29, 2021 – Mazak’s DISCOVER 2021 technology and education event is on schedule and ready to Move Manufacturing Forward. The in-person event takes place October 25-29 at the company’s Florence, Kentucky, manufacturing campus. As with previous DISCOVER events, this year’s promises all-new machines and technological firsts from Mazak.
In addition to seminars on current topics in manufacturing, tours of the Mazak iSMART Factory™ and opportunities to meet one-on-one with applications experts, DISCOVER 2021 will allow visitors to experience live demonstrations and featured technologies in four action areas. Each will address unique challenges faced by today’s manufacturers and solutions to overcome them. These solutions include those that will maximize the high production of small precision parts, ensure cost-effectiveness in the job shop, optimize workflow and help maintain a skilled workforce through technical training as part of Mazak’s customer support program.
On the advanced machining side, DISCOVER 2021 attendees will learn about machine technologies that will increase their efficiency, productivity and competitive edge. In response to customer demand for new and advanced production equipment, DISCOVER 2021 will feature 20 innovative machining systems – many designed and built in Kentucky – including some that are completely new to the industry or making their North American in-person debuts.
To provide job shops with reliable, maximum machine-tool performance at a lower capital investment, Mazak will showcase several models from its new Ez Series of Horizontal Turning Machines and Vertical Machining Centers at DISCOVER 2021. Designed and built in Kentucky, the Ez machines feature the company’s new MAZATROL SmoothEz CNC, and are optimized for simple operation as well as fast and easy installation. The machines offer enhanced ergonomics, stable and reliable part processing and long-term dependability.
The DISCOVER event also will spotlight the latest next-generation NEO versions of Mazak’s popular HCN Series of Horizontal Machining Centers and VARIAXIS Series of Vertical Machining Centers, including the HCN-6800 NEO and the VARIAXIS i-800 NEO. Each sports a fully redesigned enclosure, best-in-class standard and optional equipment and improvements throughout to provide fast, optimal solutions for an even wider range of part-production applications.
The HCN-6800 NEO received numerous upgrades that take the previous generation’s performance to a new level of efficiency and ease-of-use. The standard spindle, table, and magazine have all received significant improvements, including an upgraded, new standard 43-tool drum-type magazine that reduces tool exchange times. A redesigned ATC door is servo-driven and faster, and the new design will now also accommodate a longer tool. For ease of maintenance, the machine incorporates hydraulic/motorized pallet changer mechanisms and an easier-to-access maintenance panel. As optional, Mazak offers a direct-drive motor table that ensures the fastest indexing time in its class and, thanks to rotary scales, high-accuracy positioning.
As an enhanced next-generation version, Mazak’s popular VARIAXIS i-800 NEO 5-axis machine features faster rapid travers rates for shorter machining cycle times, expanded workpiece capacities and more automation options. Automation options include a two-pallet changer, along with the Mazak Multi-Pallet Pool (MPP) compact multiple pallet stocker system and the modular Mazak PALLETECH System.
The VARIAXIS i-800 NEO is equipped with the MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC and the HCN-6800 NEO with the MAZATROL SmoothG CNC, both incorporating Mazak’s Thermal Shield functionality. This advanced system uses machine learning and modeling to compensate instantly for changes in machine and ambient temperature during operation, ensuring the highest degree of accuracy even over long machining cycles.
During DISCOVER, Mazak will also demonstrate several new machines that continue to advance its Multi-Tasking technology, including those from the company’s new INTEGREX i-H Series. These high-productivity machines increase flexibility and enhance performance for significantly easier automation integration, allowing shops to boost the output of their existing workforces with the utmost in cost efficiency.
The most advanced machining systems are only as good as the service and support that backs them. At DISCOVER 2021, attendees will learn about Mazak’s new service portal, which further enhances the industry’s most comprehensive and robust customer care program. When shops need machine service, the portal enables them to open a work order, receive immediate notification of when a service technician is available or resolve the issue over the phone with tech support. Once an in-person service call is scheduled, shops can track the status of an existing work order or the arrival of a service technician.
To keep up with additional details and registration links for DISCOVER 2021 event, please visit MazakUSA.com/events. For those individuals who are unable to make DISCOVER 2021 in person, Mazak will provide virtual showcases from the event.