EMO 2019 REVIEW GLOBAL EXEMPLARS
Yamazaki Mazak. In all, 16 automation
solutions featured on the company’s stand,
the largest number it has ever brought to an
EMO, he underlined.
Turning to the CNC/Industry 4.0 area,
Mazak’s SmoothAi has three core
capabilities, machine learning delivered by
the application of arti cial intelligence,
digital twinning and automation.
SmoothAi’s arti cial intelligence
capabilities enable the machine to learn
from a variety of information sources,
including the operator, previous cutting
processes and environmental data input, to
continually improve performance –
programming, set-up, cycle time reduction,
cutting surface improvement, ease of
operation and automation.
During programming, Solid Mazatrol
enables the auto-generation of programs
from 3D models, using arti cial intelligence
to intuitively learn and understand the
cutting strategies used by the manufacturer.
As a result, it can reduce programming time
by 90%.
SmoothAi allows 3D simulation to be
carried out on the CNC without processing
delays, with the potential to reduce
simulation time by 56%, in comparison to
SmoothX. In addition, Mazak’s Intelligent
Safety Shield has been improved to deliver a
further reduction in simulation time.
During set-up, new function Cutting
Adviser intelligently identi es areas of the
program in which key parameters, such as
speed, feed rate and cutting depth, can be
adjusted prior to the rst cut, previously a
manual operation. Cutting Adviser also
enables the visualisation of machining,
including tool usage, cutting volume, load
and machining time.
The new control also has digital twinning
capability (Mazatrol Twins), which creates a
digital replica of the machine. SmoothCAM
Ai, or a third-party CADCAM system, can use
the digital twin to ensure of ine-created
programs work on the machine.
The new Ai control is also equipped with
software to assist with tool management and
automation. Smooth Tool Management offers
further ef ciency during the digital set-up via
accurate tool data management and
synchronisation throughout a plant.
And integration of automation is improved
through new Smooth Robot Cell Controller
(RCC). This takes the standard automation
capabilities of material transport and
machining and adds new advanced
capabilities – such as tool and xture
capability check, tool set-up and xture
set-up – to offer a more exible
automation solution.
SmoothAi is also equipped with
Robot Teaching Assist, which
enables the fast programming
of a robot through a simple
teaching-less interface having
pre-programmed robot
operating patterns.
Together, these two
global machine tool giants’
developments serve to highlight
much of that which was on show
at EMO.
High Dynamic Turning: initial insert range unveiled
Mazak’s
SmoothAI
brings artifi cial
intelligence to
various functions
Ceratizit’s revolutionary High Dynamic Turning technology was covered in detail in our June
issue this year (https://is.gd/rijuxa). Employing a turning centre’s milling spindle to index
into position an insert having, typically, three corners/cutting edges and also alter the
approach angle in cycle, EMO saw the rst range of inserts launched for use with this novel
development. They take in four different indexable insert
geometries for machining steel/stainless steel (two by
roughing and one by nishing edges; three by roughing
edges, symmetrical) and for aluminium (three by cutting
edges, symmetrical). This initial range covers a number
of applications. The holders are available with a range
of different overhang lengths for each size and are
available for the HSK-T and Capto toolholder
interfaces.
20 November 2019 www.machinery.co.uk @MachineryTweets
/rijuxa)
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