EMO 2019 REVIEW GLOBAL EXEMPLARS
This new Integrex e-1250V/8S AG,
plus the the new i-500S AG, combine Mazak’s
Done-in-One philosophy with high speed gear
machining and on-machine measurement
as standard, 18,000 rpm optional. Part
capacity is 500 mm diameter by 320 mm
high, and up to 200 kg weight.
A second world debut was the Variaxis
C-600 5-axis vertical machining centre,
successor to the Variaxis j-600/5X. Offered
with a range of options that enable users to
configure their C-600, these include 12,000,
15,000, 18,000 or 20,000 rpm spindles,
and 30-, 60-, 90- or 120-tool magazine.
Part capacity is to 730 mm diameter by
450 mm high and 500 kg. This
machine featured Mazak’s
SmoothAi Spindle function that
offers Ai adaptive control (patent
pending) that suppresses milling
spindle chatter by intelligently
adjusting cutting technology,
based on feedback from
sensors built into the machine.
SmoothAi, Mazak’s new artificial
intelligence control, has in-built learning
capability to continually improve machine
performance.
The company’s multi-tasking Integrex
series got an update through the i-H series
introduction, represented by two models at
EMO: the i-200H, an 8” chuck model with
210 mm Y-axis, 600 mm maximum swing
and 5,000 rpm main and second spindles;
and the larger i-450H ST with a 12” chuck,
300 mm Y-axis, capacity to handle
workpieces up to 670 mm diameter and
3,300 rpm, 37 kW main spindle and 4,000
rpm second spindle. Both models have a
fully contouring 240° B-axis and the new
compact 12,000 rpm milling spindle.
Of course, SmoothAi artificial intelligence
control again features.
The new i-H design is automation-friendly,
with a flat front, while the tool magazine has
been positioned at the rear. This provides
greater accessibility to site automation at
the front of the machine, notably articulated
robots, to perform a range of tasks whilst
maintaining excellent accessibility for the
operator. The i-450H ST shown was
integrated with flexible automation having an
articulated robot with five different stocker
carts housing robot hands, chuck jaws,
tooling, shaft and chuck workpieces.
Integration of automation is further
enhanced with the new Smooth RCC (Robot
Cell Controller), which adds advanced
capabilities, such as checking resources for
tool and fixture set-up, whilst the Robot
Setup Assist enables efficient programming
of the robot in the same co-ordinate system
as the machine.
Staying with the automation theme, and
four new turnkey automation cells
engineered in the UK were a highlight. A
VTC 530 VMC was producing an aluminium
aerospace seating component, with a 12 kg
payload Yaskawa GP25-12 Industrial Robot
loading parts to the machine. Once
machining was complete, the GP25-12
unloaded the component and a 10 kg
payload Yaskawa HC10 cobot mounted on
a Grenzebach AGV autonomous vehicle
transfered machined parts to a measuring
station where a separate HC10 fed
components to a Renishaw Equator
measurement cell.
A VCN-530C VMC with MA-20/400 robotbased
loading system able to handle
workpieces up to 15 kg (2 by 7.5 kg) and
400 mm in length, making it ideal for small
automated runs, such as the production of
electronic switch boxes, showcased on the
stand. Both machine and robot tending
solution can be controlled via the SmoothG
CNC control panel, while an integrated laser
scanning system automatically paused the
cycle, should an operator stray too close to
the cell during production.
That machine was also connected to the
Umati booth (see p22), so that the realtime
status of the machine could be viewed.
A third system was a QT-250 MSY turning
centre served by a RoboJob Tower
automation system designed to deliver
unmanned running. The 4.6 m-high tower
system is available with twin-elevator
storage trays, with one feeding a 50 kg
payload robot for transferring workpieces to
the machine tool, while the other allows
operators to replenish parts.
The final turnkey automation cell from
Mazak’s Automation and Manufacturing
Systems (AMS) Group, which works across
Europe, was a QT-350 MY turning centre,
complete with TA-35/270 machine tending
solution. Intended for billet and shaft loading
applications, the automation system
comprises a Turn-Assist 35 kg FANUC robot
able to handle workpieces up to
270 mm diameter.
Producing a hydraulic cylinder shaft, the
robot turned parts around in between
operations. A graphical user interface
integrated into the CNC allows operators to
program the entire cell from the SmoothG
control panel.
“Never before has automation been so
affordable and so easily integrated into the
factory environment,” says Richard Smith,
European Group managing director at
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