We welcomed more than 1,500 people at this year’s Mazak DISCOVER 2021 event, once again staking our claim to hosting the largest privately held manufacturing event in North America. Like its predecessors, DISCOVER 2021 was nothing short of amazing and gave attendees plenty of excitement, along with a host of new ideas and technologies to keep their shops competitive and successful.
We dedicated this event to "Move Manufacturing Forward," showcasing a long list of ways to propel our customers to greater success. Our theme reflects the ways we always want to help our customers advance.
Taking center stage was the premiere of our new SYNCREX Series of Swiss-style machines. With Mazak’s well-known performance and quality, the extremely precise SYNCREX models feature seven, eight and nine-axis configurations and are optimized for high production of small parts.
SYNCREX machines sport the new MAZATROL SmoothSt CNC, with our Swiss Setup Assist (MSSA) for fast and easy job setups along with our Turning Chip Control (MTCC) to optimize chip management. For further ease of use, the control’s soft key PLC functions include those for tool touch off, part cut off, retract point and start position. The CNC also allows for synchronous control, rigid tapping with all spindles, and cross and front simultaneous machining.
In addition to being the first to see the new SYNCREX Series, DISCOVER attendees also experienced numerous North American machine premieres. The 25 machines demonstrated at DISCOVER included the first in-person North American showing of the compact Kentucky-built Mazak Ez Series, designed to support job shops with Mazak quality and performance at affordable price points. Additionally, we showed our INTEGREX i-H Series machines that apply artificial intelligence and machine learning through the Multi-Tasking power of the MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC to improve efficiency and precision.
Our next-generation NEO machines – the VARIAXIS i-800 NEO and HCN-6800 NEO – also drew crowds during DISCOVER. These machines expand on the previous generation of performance through numerous upgrades for new levels of efficiency and ease of use. For instance, the machines sport fully redesigned enclosures, best-in-class standard and optional equipment and improvements throughout to provide fast, optimal solutions for an even-wider range of part-production applications. With the power and versatility for productive, precise large-part machining, NEO machines gain even more flexibility and cost-efficiency as part of a Mazak PALLETECH production cell.
A long list of focused demonstrations and walk-up presentations rounded out DISCOVER 2021 with technology previews geared to workflow productivity on the shop floor. Attendees saw a special focus on MPower Complete Customer Care, our new program that provides single-source end-to-end support throughout the life of every Mazak machine tool. To assist with the machine acquisition process, DISCOVER also spotlighted Mazak Capital Equipment Financing (MCEF) – a one-stop solution that enables shops to purchase or lease their machine tools directly through Mazak.
When DISCOVER attendees toured our manufacturing facilities, they saw 32,000 sq. ft. of new production and aftermarket parts warehousing to accommodate Kentucky production of the SYNCREX Series. Tours of our iSMART Factory™ fully automated and networked production facility gave attendees a close look at how we use Mazaks to produce Mazaks. As a showcase of our Digital Solutions, the factory exemplifies the value of digitalized production to provide in-depth insights that manufacturers can use to resolve manufacturing bottlenecks and improve productivity. Attendees also toured our ISO 9001:2015 Spindle Rebuild Center that guarantees the highest precision and quality in spindle service.
DISCOVER 2021 attendees heard from a standout list of industry insiders and manufacturing leaders who shared their expertise in focused presentations designed to deliver insights that help propel success. Each day, attendees learned from top executives and researchers from AMT, FANUC and Oak Ridge National Laboratories, along with manufacturing leaders and industry trailblazers from top U.S. shops.
Beyond the more than 1,500 in attendance, virtual visitors took advantage of DISCOVER ON-DEMAND to view presentations and demonstrations through a mobile app or web browser. In person or online, DISCOVER 2021 delivered what attendees wanted: practical solutions to workflow problems and ways to move manufacturing forward on the shop floor.