The new Mazak HQR NEO series offers increased productivity, high-accuracy and environmental performance.
Mazak’s new HQR-200/3 NEO features a three-turret machine configuration, offering more tools to handle feature rich part applications and enabling machine shops to achieve a 50/50 cycle-time balance between the two turning spindles for optimum throughput.
There are two models in the new Mazak HQR NEO series, the HQR-200/3 NEO featured in this article, and the Mazak HQR-250/3 NEO.
The Mazak HQR-200/3 is equipped with two spindles and three turrets, two upper and one lower, for “done-in-one” part processing and high-volume throughput in single setups. The drum-style turrets provide 12 or 16 tool positions and rotary tool capability. In some instances, the machine can have up to 36 tools at 12 tools per station or 16 tools per station for a total of 48 tools, and all those stations can be live. Plus, with such turrets, tool change times are much faster as compared to machines with carousel-type tool changers.
In terms of bar size capacity, the Mazak HQR-200/3 is considered to be the next step up from Swiss-style turning machines. The main spindle on the Mazak HQR-200/3 offers 4"-diameter barstock capacity, while the second spindle is capable of processing bar diameters up to 2.5" (76-mm bore). Both turning spindles on the Mazak HQR 200/3 NEO deliver maximum speeds of 5,000 rpm, while all three turrets provide 6,000 rpm rotating tool speed. The main turning spindle on the Mazak HQR 250/3 NEO runs at a maximum of 4,000 rpm and the second turning spindle at 5,000 rpm.
The two upper turrets are each dedicated to one turning spindle, while the third lower turret can work at either the left or right-side spindles. As such, the third turret allows machine shops to achieve more of a cycle time balance between operations at the first and second turning spindles for shortening overall part cycle times.
Mazak developed a Mazatrol SmoothG3 control specifically to support three-turret machine functionality. The control gives users a clear, specific and concise display of the turrets for programming and operational ease of use and to ensure process security. The Mazatrol SmoothG3 also features Mazak’s AI Thermal Shield technology, which uses machine learning and modelling to compensate instantly for changes in machine and ambient temperature over the course of operation.
To control chip generation and prevent problems such as nesting, Mazak developed what it refers to as an oscillating cutting function. The function oscillates the cutting tool, which breaks up chips into smaller, more manageable sizes for evacuating them from the machine as quickly as possible. The Mazak HQR-200/3 also features an end-of-bar remnant control function, which activates a machine disposal bucket so that the remnant is quickly ejected from the work envelope, goes down a shoot and exits to left side of the machine. This keeps production moving smoothly to the next bar.
Other optional features include Mazak’s Tool Eye and the company’s Super Flow high-pressure coolant system. The Tool Eye for fast and easy tool setup is installed at two locations, on the main spindle side and the second spindle side. While the first spindle side is basically a normal tool eye unit, the second spindle side is a mechanism that swings down from above to the second spindle due to the layout of the toolpost.
Take a look the specifications for Mazak HQR-200/3 NEO and the Mazak HQR-250/3 NEO.