Mazak Newsroom

December 2014

Shrinking the Skills Gap Through Education

As U.S. manufacturing continues to see improvement in both orders and job creation, factories face a collective problem that could put a damper on this growth: the skills gap. As more jobs become available, and as a growing number of qualified workers begin to retire from the workforce, the need for trained, qualified workers from younger generations becomes ever more necessary. And this need will not change anytime soon.

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Multi-Tasking Takes Sled Production Efficiency to the Xtreme

Business is all up hill for Black Diamond Xtreme in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. That's because the shop relies on our Multi-Tasking machines to manufacture aftermarket high-performance components that transform average snowmobiles into aggressive, supercharged and lightweight extreme mountain machines.

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Invest in Innovation Without Paying a Fortune

With our new UNIVERSAL Series of small-footprint milling and turning machines, we've forever changed how job shops process workpieces. These machines, while simple in their design, feature advanced technologies that bring maximum productivity and profitability to small parts production, without requiring a huge capital investment.

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Multi-Tasking Now Involves Additive Manufacturing

Over the past 20 years, additive manufacturing has transitioned from use in rapid prototyping to a fully developed manufacturing solution for a variety of industries. These days, companies are blending additive and subtractive processes together to create complete process chain systems – but none compare to our new INTEGREX i-400AM HYBRID Multi-Tasking machine.

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Part Processing Operations Just Got a Whole Lot Smoother

Every shop faces constantly changing part-processing requirements as the needs of the industries they serve continue to evolve. Workpiece designs can change on a daily basis, and in most instances, they become more complex. This makes the role of the machinist increasingly difficult and the need for a highly capable, agile and user-friendly machine tool control interface and adaptable software all the more necessary for shops to keep pace.

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November 2014

Going Big to Solve Common Large Part Machining Issues

Shops processing for industries such as oil and gas, aerospace and heavy equipment need bigger, high-performance machines to stay competitive. Because much of the challenge with large parts has to do with producing as much as possible in a single setup, multiple-setup operations are often inefficient and time consuming. Multi-tasking functionality helps machining centers accomplish this, and should be essential in any large part operation.

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Mazak Unveils Next Generation Mazak iSMART Factory Concept

Yamazaki Mazak headquarters in Aichi, Japan, has recently announced its new forward-thinking Mazak iSMART Factory concept. A dynamic, ongoing and limitless concept, the next-generation iSMART Factory represents Mazak’s all-encompassing manufacturing vision. Mazak will eventually designate all ten of its manufacturing operations as iSMART Factories, the first being the Oguchi factory in Japan and now the North American factory in Florence, Kentucky.

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Attention Job Shops: Investing in Innovation Doesn’t Mean Paying a Fortune

If you own a job shop, being innovative and responsive to change are important elements for success in today’s competitive manufacturing world, especially with reshoring on the rise and unskilled labor still an issue. That’s why it’s important to keep an open mind when it comes to new technology, especially if it can substantially improve your productivity and profitability without requiring a huge capital investment.

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October 2014

Mazak Introduces New HYBRID Multi-Tasking Technology

Mazak Corporation has unveiled its new INTEGREX i-400AM (additive manufacturing) HYBRID Multi-Tasking Machine. As a fusion of additive technology and Mazak’s most advanced Multi-Tasking capabilities, the machine will significantly reduce part cycle times while providing high-efficiency DONE IN ONE processing.

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Mazak QTU 350MY with Gantry Loader Offers Affordable Single-Setup Part Processing

The new Mazak QUICK TURN UNIVERSAL (QTU) 350MY Multi-Tasking turning center, when paired with a GR100 gantry-style loader, offers the benefits of fully automated, single-setup part processing, yet in an affordable, truly cost-effective machining system.

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Tour the Mazak Campus from Anywhere

Florence, Kentucky, has been the North American home of Mazak Corporation since 1974. We chose the Bluegrass State because it is central to major manufacturing companies and allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the North American market for the benefit of our customers.

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SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY Evolves Machine Tool Performance

With the unveiling of our new SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY at IMTS 2014, we've established a dramatic evolution in machine tool performance that spans the entire part-production landscape, from programming and setup to metal removal operations to automation to monitoring/data collection and transfer.

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Mazak Goes Big and Bold at IMTS

It was another exciting IMTS year, with more than 114,000 visitors from around the world blanketing all four buildings of Chicago's McCormick Place to see the latest manufacturing technology, from metal cutting and workholding to software and automation. It was also a huge success for our company in that we showcased a level of technology that was among the highest in the machine tool industry.

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Attendees DISCOVERED MORE at IMTS 2014

IMTS 2014 was a huge success for Mazak as we showcased a level of technology that was among the highest in the machine tool industry. With more than 114,000 visitors from around the world joining together in Chicago’s McCormick Place, the 17,000-square-foot DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK™ booth was constantly abuzz as attendees flocked to experience the new, highly innovative ways we can boost precision, productivity and profitability in part production.

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September 2014

Mazak Unveils Dramatic Evolution In Machine Tool Performance

Mazak’s new SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY made its debut on several of the company’s latest 5-axis and Multi-Tasking machines at IMTS 2014. SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY is a complete process-performance platform that spans the entire part-production landscape, from programming and setup to metal removal operations to automation to monitoring/data collection and transfer. Key elements of this technology are the company’s latest MAZATROL SmoothX CNC as well as new machine hardware and servo systems.

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Mazak Debuts Multi-Tasking Solution for Bar Work Machining

Mazak recently debuted its compact INTEGREX i-100 BARTAC-ST Multi-Tasking machine that features two turning spindles, a milling spindle and lower turret for full 5-axis machining and DONE IN ONE® processing of small high-precision parts. The machine also features a large 4.4" spindle bore that brings unsurpassed efficiency to the machining of bar material up to 4" in diameter.

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New Mazak INTEGREX e-800H II Processes Extra-Large Parts in Single Setups

Perfect for industries that include aerospace, construction machinery and energy, the new Mazak INTEGREX e-800H II is the company’s biggest Multi-Tasking machine for extra-large part production. The company, through presentations and multi-media displays, recently discussed how the machine productively performs all cutting operations – turning, milling, boring, drilling and more – in a single machine setup, or what the company refers to as DONE IN ONE® processing.

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Mazak Takes DONE IN ONE to a New Level with the INTEGREX e-420H-ST

Mazak’s new INTEGREX e-420H-ST features a lower turret with large 16.5" Y-axis stroke. The added turret works with the machine’s twin turning spindles and main milling spindle for the ultimate in 5-axis DONE IN ONE part processing.

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Mazak VORTEX i-800V/8 Shows Production Benefits of Pallet Changing

Mazak recently introduced its VORTEX i-800V/8 5-axis vertical machining center equipped with two-pallet changer and the capability to easily integrate into Mazak PALLETECH Automated Manufacturing Systems. The high-volume part-production machine joins the company’s Four Quadrant Machine Selection Guide that helps manufacturers identify – for their particular part application – the most relevant and cost-effective 5-axis or Multi-Tasking Mazak machine configuration.

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Mazak Adds Turning to Popular Machining Center for Process Integration

Mazak recently introduced turning capabilities into its VARIAXIS Series of multiple-surface, simultaneous 5-axis machining centers with the VARIAXIS i-700T. This addition allows manufacturers from a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, energy and transportation, to bring even higher levels of productivity into their part processing operations.

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Mazak Debuts the Fusion of Full 5-axis Machining and Vertical Turning

Mazak’s new INTEGREX e-1600V/10S Multi-Tasking machine garners much attention. The machine’s innovative design fuses together the capabilities of a full simultaneous 5-axis machine with those of a vertical turning center.

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Mazak Highlights New 5-axis HMC for Extra-large, Heavy Part Production

Mazak recently highlighted its latest 5-axis and Multi-Tasking solutions for extra-large, heavy part production through interactive multi-media displays and special presentations – as the machines were much too big for the show floor. Among those machines was the new VORTEX HORIZONTAL PROFILER (HP) 160 5-axis horizontal machining center for the aerospace industry.

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Mazak Unveils HCU 5000 with Robot Cell

Mazak recently unveiled several new simple but innovative machine tools, including the HORIZONTAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (HCU) 5000 with a robot cell. When paired with such automation, this already high-value 4-axis horizontal machining center provides increased costs savings through better spindle utilization, improved production consistency and a more efficient use of labor.

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Mazak HCU 4000 Makes World Debut

Mazak recently debuted several simple but innovative machine tools, with the HORIZONTAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (HCU) 4000 among them. This new 4-axis horizontal machining center with three-point leveling cost-effectively packages productivity-enhancing features, such as an expandable tool changer, so shops can grow their business without making a huge capital investment.

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Mazak Demonstrates Simply Innovative Small Parts Production

Mazak recently demonstrated its simple but innovative VERTICAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (VCU) 300A 5X for small, complex part production in all volume requirements. The small-footprint vertical machining center cost-effectively packages productivity-enhancing features, such as a 5-axis rotary/tilt table and automatic tool changer, so shops can grow their business without making a huge capital investment.

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Mazak VCU 500A Represents High Productivity and Value

Mazak recently featured its simple but innovative VERTICAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (VCU) 500A with a two-pallet changer to demonstrate cost-effective, highly productive small parts machining. In quick, simple setups, the small-footprint 3-axis vertical machining center accurately processes basic workpiece geometries up to 19.68" x 19.68" x 9.84" in size.

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Mazak Showcases Affordable Innovation with VCU 400B

Mazak recently showcased its simple but innovative VERTICAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (VCU) 400B that is designed to offer up the perfect balance of innovative technology, increased productivity and maximum value in small parts production. Ideal for basic workpiece geometries, the small-footprint vertical machining center features a 3-axis table that provides quick, simple setups.

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Mazak Debuts Cost-effective Milling and Turning of VCU 400T

Mazak recently introduced turning capabilities into its simple but innovative VERTICAL CENTER UNIVERSAL (VCU) Series of small-footprint vertical machining centers with the VCU 400T. Building on the success of the series, which focuses on cost-effective small parts production, the VCU 400T is perfect for shops looking to take their manufacturing operations to the next level of productivity.

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Mazak QTN 550 MY Big on Speed, Power and Precision

Perfect for the oil and gas and heavy equipment industries, the Mazak QUICK TURN NEXUS (QTN) 550 MY Multi-Tasking turning center brings speed, power and precision to the production of long, large parts from titanium, Inconel, nickel-base superalloys and other tough materials.

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August 2014

Mazak Launches New Global Online Initiative

Japan-based Yamazaki Mazak Corporation and its global subsidiaries – leaders in the manufacture of highly productive machine tools, CNC technology and automation solutions – recently launched a new global online initiative comprised of fully responsive, multi-language websites to effectively support its metalworking customers around the world. These new websites are easily accessible via a unified global landing page at Mazak.com.

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Social Media in the Manufacturing Industry

Is your company still resisting the urge to jump onto social networks? Although the manufacturing sector lagged behind others in joining new digital trends, the time has come for the industry to adopt the fastest growing marketing tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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July 2014

World Leader in Multi-Tasking

Multi-Tasking may be the single most important innovation in manufacturing technology for companies seeking to be lean, efficient and globally more competitive.

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Celebrating 40 Years of Advanced Manufacturing

Technology has changed the world, and nowhere else is that more evident than in today’s manufacturing industry. Advancements in machine tool technology, automation and digital connectivity, for instance, have evolved yesterday’s stereotypical dirty, smoke-stack factories into those that can only be described as sleek, lean, agile and extremely productive.

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June 2014

Mazak Helps Penske Racing Machine at Full Throttle

With 2014 IndyCar and NASCAR racing season now kicked into high gear, Mazak is pleased to continue its 20-year partnership with Penske Racing, one of the most successful teams in the history of professional motorsports. As a technology sponsor for Roger Penske’s IndyCar and NASCAR teams, Mazak and its machine tools have played an important role in putting drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Will Power and Helio Castroneves in the winner’s circle.

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Discover Your Perfect Productivity Combination at IMTS 2014

Inside the DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK™ Booth S-8300 at IMTS 2014 in Chicago’s McCormick Place, you’ll find everything you need to increase your competitiveness and profitability. From innovative machining technology and a revolutionary CNC making its debut to digital manufacturing solutions and applications expertise, we will help you find the perfect productivity combination for your part production needs.

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Top Five Reasons To Attend the MTConnect Webinar

Our MTConnect webinar is less than a week away. If you still haven’t registered for this incredible opportunity, here are five top reasons we think you should attend the webinar and learn about the technology that has catapulted manufacturing into the digital age.

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Filling the Skilled Workers Pipeline

Despite high unemployment nationwide, manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to hire workers with the skills required for today’s technology-intensive shop-floor jobs. To add to the problem, the pool of experienced personnel is shrinking as older workers retire, and many young people aren’t entering the industry due to misconceptions about the nature of factory work.

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May 2014

7 Simple Ways to Minimize Spindle Repair

No manufacturer wants to see part production come to a screeching halt due to a down machine tool spindle, especially if it involves a repair that could have been avoided through proper maintenance. To help keep your operations running smoothly, I offer you these seven simple, yet important, spindle maintenance tips.

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March 2014

Discover Technology Webinar Series

Mazak introduced its Discover Technology Webinar Series two years ago to connect manufacturers with industry experts on the latest machine tool trends. If you missed any of these free webinars, they are all archived on mazakusa.com for you listen to at your convenience. The company also has six new webinars coming up this year, with one on June 17 at 2 p.m. ET that will discuss practical applications and uses of the MTConnect open communications protocol.

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Celebrating 40 Years in Kentucky

Yamazaki Mazak Corporation entered the U.S. market in 1968, opening its first subsidiary outside of Japan in Long Island, New York. In 1974, the company moved its U.S. operations to Florence, Kentucky to establish a forward-thinking manufacturing venture with the capacity to modify its Japanese imports to meet the unique requirements of the North American market. This year, Mazak Corporation (USA) celebrates 40 years in Kentucky and its evolution into a high-tech manufacturing campus that is second to none.

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A Year of Must-Attend Events

From hosting regional DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK™ technology and education events across the nation to participating in several major industry trade shows, including the highly anticipated IMTS show in Chicago, Mazak has a lot going on in 2014 and you definitely don’t want to miss out.

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Mazak to Share Key MTConnect Advantages at [MC]² 2014 Conference

FLORENCE, Ky., March 13, 2014 - On April 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the [MC]² MTConnect: Connecting Manufacturing Conference in Orlando, Fla., Mazak Corporation's Vice President of Manufacturing Ben Schawe will discuss how the machine tool builder uses MTConnect inside its North American manufacturing plant to monitor its production equipment and gather valuable data to further improve operations. Additionally, Mazak's Digital Solutions Specialist Neil Desrosiers will be at the conference April 8, 9 and 10 to lend his expert advice regarding the use of MTConnect with Mazak machines.

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February 2014

Mazak Northeast Event to Focus on Aerospace, Medical Manufacturing Trends

FLORENCE, Ky., Feb. 26, 2014 – Mazak invites aerospace, medical and other part manufacturers to its DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK Technology and Education event taking place May 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the company’s Northeast Technology Center in Windsor Locks, Conn. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience total manufacturing solutions as well as learn new machining techniques for boosting productivity and profitability. The company will also host a special student day on May 8 to promote lucrative, high-tech careers within the manufacturing industry.

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Midwest Event Welcomes Manufacturers, Penske Racing & Reshoring Initiative

Each year we look forward with great anticipation to our region’s DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK™ event. For three days, we welcome regional manufacturers to join us at the Mazak Midwest Technology Center to experience the latest developments in machine tool, automation and cutting tool technology through...

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Machine Tool Trends in Aerospace Manufacturing

The aerospace industry today is a hotbed of manufacturing activity and advanced machine tool technology. At Mazak, we see a strong trend of increased interest in machine tools with 5-axis capabilities for aerospace part machining. It’s very similar to the early days of mill-turn machines, when manufacturers began to recognize the benefits of adding milling and drilling capabilities to standard 2-axis lathes.

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Mazak Hosts Valve Manufacturers Association’s Annual Workshop and Tour

FLORENCE, Ky., February 20, 2014 – From April 30 to May 2, Mazak Corporation will host a portion of the Valve Manufacturers Association’s (VMA) annual “Manufacturers Workshop and Tour” at its North American headquarters in Florence, Ky. The event is open to VMA members and will include a tour of Mazak’s manufacturing campus as well as workshops on supply chain management, MTConnect, problem solving and lean manufacturing.

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Mazak Distributor Premier Engineering Transitions to New Leadership in Georgia

FLORENCE, Ky., February 6, 2014 – Mazak Corporation has announced that Premier Engineering, its distributor in Georgia for more than 25 years, has transitioned the leadership of the Lawrenceville location to long-time Premier sales manager Tim Kramer, who recently purchased the business from owner John Grabenau.

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Discover How CAM Software Simplifies Multi-Tasking Machining

DP Technology, a Mazak VIP partner, has a passion for excellence and innovation in the development of its CAM software as well as supporting its OEM partners. So much so that I am stationed at Mazak’s Kentucky headquarters to enhance the performance of the company's machine tools via DP Technology’s ESPRIT product, a full-spectrum programming system for milling, turning and multi-tasking solutions.

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January 2014

Mazak Distributor Northwest Machine Opens New Building

FLORENCE, Ky., Jan. 30, 2014 – Mazak distributor Northwest Machine, serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Western Wisconsin, will host a special grand opening for its new headquarters in Rogers, Minn. The event, scheduled for April 30 – May 1, will feature facility tours, advanced manufacturing system demonstrations and technical seminars. A special student day on April 29 will kick off the event and have local manufacturers discuss careers in the industry with area youth.

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Mazak Webinar Links CAM Software and Multi-Tasking Efficiency

FLORENCE, Ky., Jan. 24, 2014 – Multi-tasking technology allows manufacturers to select from a wide variety of part-production scenarios; however, it’s not always easy to identify the most efficient process for a job. In response, Mazak will host a free webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. ET that will explore the role CAM software plays in process planning and optimizing mill-turn operations.

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Mazak Midwest Event to Showcase Total Manufacturing Solutions

FLORENCE, Ky., Jan. 20, 2014 – Mazak invites manufacturers to its DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK Midwest event, taking place March 25 – 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the company’s Technology Center in Schaumburg, Ill. The event will focus on ways to boost production efficiency through total manufacturing solutions, highlighting advancements in machine tool technology, automation systems, cutting tools and more. Plus, special presentations on the use of Mazak technology in the racing industry and the growth of U.S. manufacturing will round out the event.

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2014: The Year of Must-Attend Events

At the 2013 Performance Racing Industry show in December, we wrapped up an extremely busy and highly successful year of attending trade shows and hosting technology-driven education events at our various Technology Centers, including our groundbreaking DISCOVER 2013 event that took place at our Kentucky headquarters. And 2014 promises to be just as exciting as we continue to participate in major industry shows and host regional DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK events across the nation.

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