FLORENCE, Ky., October 18, 2016 – Mazak recently added several key performance enhancements to its popular HCN-4000 Horizontal Machining Center. Equipped with Mazak’s new MAZATROL SmoothG CNC, the machine can be equipped with Mazak’s new Smooth PALLETECH Manufacturing Cell (PMC) controller software.
The HCN-4000 with Smooth PMC software pairs with Mazak’s PALLETECH Automation System to further increase the output of the already highly productive machine. Available in one, two or three level configurations for the HCN-4000, the PALLETECH system provides the flexibility for shorter product lifecycles, reduced in-process inventory and effective just-in-time production, as well as completely automated, lights-out DONE IN ONE® cell manufacturing. PALLETECH systems also accommodate different types of machines within the same cell.
The Smooth PMC software, working within the HCN-4000’s MAZATROL SmoothG CNC, allows users to forecast/simulate up to a week’s worth of scheduled operation – required tools, machine loads and output – for a PALLETECH cell. Other features/capabilities of the software include mobile device connectivity, display screens that are easy to read and navigate through and management functions for performance data output.
The machine’s new MAZATROL SmoothG CNC makes it easy to generate programs for processing complex parts. The control incorporates a wide variety of advanced programming functions that allow it to offer complete ease of use and ensure high-speed, high-accuracy machining performance.
Functions of the control include High Gain Feed Forward Control that boosts machining speed and accuracy; Variable Acceleration Control to calculate optimal acceleration for a combination of axes; Intelligent Pocket Milling that engages a high-efficiency toolpath when milling part cavities; Smooth Corner Control to make cutter path adjustments to help shorten cycle times; and many more.
Key machine features of the HCN-4000 include fast rapid-traverse speeds and acceleration rates as well as short chip-to-chip times. All of which contribute to reductions in overall part cycle times. The machine rapid traverses at speeds up to 2,362 ipm (60 m/min) and accelerates at 1G in all axes. Plus, spindle acceleration speed is only 1.3 seconds for the machine’s standard 12,000-rpm spindle and 1.5 seconds for its other optional spindles.
For speed, efficiency and versatility when machining a wide variety of materials from steels to nonferrous metals, Mazak also offers 14,000-rpm, 18,000-rpm and 30,000-rpm spindle options for the HCN-4000. The four available integral motor spindle types – standard, high torque, semi-high speed or high-speed – allow users to match spindle performance to their specific machining requirements with the proper speeds and power.
The standard 40-taper 12,000-rpm spindle provides power and speed for general machining applications, while the high-torque heavy-duty 40-taper 14,000-rpm version generates 88 ft-lbs of torque at a continuous rating to a maximum of 223 ft-lbs to increase metal removal rates for hard to machine materials. With maximum speeds of 18,000 rpm and 30,000 rpm, the 40-taper semi high-speed and HSK high-speed versions allow for faster machining and superior surface finishes when cutting aluminum and other nonferrous workpieces.
Mazak has equipped the HCN-4000 with a standard 40-position tool storage magazine and, as optional, offers 60-, 80-, 120- and 160-position magazines in addition to its Tool Hive magazines with either 180, 240 or 330 positions. The large tool storage capacity of the HCN-4000 means shops can handle a wide variety of parts and perform continuous unattended machining over long periods of time.