Mark Dobrich, General Manager – Machine Tools at John Hart, commented: “Austech is Australia’s premier advanced manufacturing and machine tool exhibition, and has always been a key date in our diary allowing us to showcase Mazak’s latest generation of machine tools to a sector which provides the backbone to Australian manufacturing.”
He continued: “We brought the Mazak Variaxis j-500/5X, the Integrex i-200 and the VCN 530-C to the show as the ideal machines to exhibit Mazak’s innovations in machining productivity as well as Mazak’s Smooth Technology and the iSmart Factory Solution.”
Mazak on show at Austech 2019
The state-of-the-art Mazak Variaxis j-500/5X combines a compact footprint with the ability to offer simultaneous 5-axis machining across multiple surfaces.
It delivers high accuracy and productivity from a wide A-axis spectrum of rotation (+30° to -120°). Outstanding accuracy is guaranteed by its high rigidity structure, which utilises linear roller guides on all linear axes and roller gear cam on both rotary axes.
The Variaxis is equipped with SmoothX, the 5-axis version of Mazak’s Smooth Technology, the world’s fastest CNC. SmoothX includes a 19-inch touchscreen control panel, and has the capability to deliver a machining revolution, from programming and cycle times through to automation integration, data collection and ergonomics.
The Variaxis j-500/5X sets new standards for multi-tasking machines and is designed to deliver high speed, high-accuracy machining continuously, ensuring maximum ease of operation for the machinist.
The Mazak Integrex i-200 is a full 5-axis multi-tasking machine that is equipped with a large machining area (615 mm in the X-axis and 250 mm in the Y-axis) and a second spindle which makes it truly capable of Done-In-One machining.
The Integrex i-200 is a high productivity machine with both its main and second spindles capable of 5,000 rpm and its milling spindle capable of 12,000 rpm. In addition, high accuracy is guaranteed by its high rigidity construction; linear roller guides; heat countermeasures on the main and milling spindle; active vibration control and an intelligent thermal shield which automatically compensates for room temperature changes.
The i-200 is also equipped with a number of ergonomic features, including a standard 36-tool magazine designed for efficient set-up, a large window allowing easy monitoring of the workpiece by the operator and easy workpiece loading and unloading.
Machining demonstartion on Mazak Integrex i-200
Designed to process large parts or multiple small workpieces in single machine setups, the Mazak VCN-530C vertical machining centre brings advanced technology, performance and value to a wide variety of metalworking applications. A wide range of spindle options give shops what they need to achieve an effective balance of speed and torque for their particular machining needs and workpiece materials.
The VCN-530C is powered by a newly designed 18,000rpm milling spindle. The high-speed spindle package includes ballscrew cooling on X-, Y- Z-axes which is complimented by Mazak’s Intelligent Thermal Shield to ensure stable machining accuracy.
The machine reduces cycle times with high speed feed-rates up to 42m/min, outstanding acceleration and deceleration capabilities and a rapid chip-to-chip time of 2.8 seconds with a work table measuring 1,300mm x 550mm.
Excellent accessibility to the machining envelope is achieved with two wide opening front doors and machine stability is ensured by durable linear roller guides on all axes. The VCN-530C is also equipped with SmoothG CNC.
Smooth Technology acts as the catalyst for Industry 4.0. At its core is the ability to gather and analyse data, enabling the factory floor and management suite to make better, faster decisions, improving yield and speeding up production.
In an Industry 4.0 factory, every aspect of production is connected, monitored and analysed, from production scheduling through to virtual simulation of the component to be cut, energy consumption, tool management and maintenance practices. The goal is to deliver more productivity and better quality products with less machine downtime.
Mazak’s machines can all be connected to Mazak’s Industry 4.0 infrastructure: the iSmart Factory Solution which utilizes Smooth Monitor software to analyze factory production and present it visually in real-time. Instead of reviewing data that is a week or a month old, it allows for production issues to be immediately detected and addressed, improving production efficiency.
This technology has allowed users to increase productivity between 10% to more than 50%.
Mazak SmartBox is used to protect data and equipment connected to the internet. This level 3 switch is a firewall and another component to the Mazak iSmart Factory Solution. By transferring all data to and from the machine through the Mazak SmartBox, it blocks all outside access, therefore protecting information from theft and the machines from interference.
Mazatrol Smooth Monitor software analysing machine utilisation live at Austech 2019
Mark added: “This year we also had two exciting new additions to our line-up of world class solutions, the EOS P 396 Industrial 3D Printer for Plastic Parts and the Agile Flex Robotic Loading System for CNC Machine Tools”
The EOS P 396 Industrial 3D Printer highlighted John Hart’s recent appointment as the Australian distributor for EOS, the global technology leader for industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers, as well as a pioneer and innovator for holistic solutions in additive manufacturing.
With total build size of 340 x 340 x 600 mm, the EOS P 396 covers the medium build volume range for Plastic Parts. This modular and highly productive system allows the tool-free manufacture of serial components, spare parts, functional prototypes and models directly from CAD data.
With around 30 years of experience in 3D printing for industrial applications, EOS has perfected the process of powder bed based additive manufacturing. EOS masters the interaction between 3D printer, material and process for the production of components on an industrial scale. Based on the delicate process of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), EOS technology provides the foundation for manufacturing results that meet a wide range of industry requirements in terms of dimensional accuracy, surface finish and stability.
Complex part printed on an Industrial 3D Printer for Metal Parts
The Agile Flex is an out of the box robotic loading system for CNC machine tools, designed and built right here in Australia and marketed world-wide. Rapid to deploy, compact and easy to use, Agile Flex has been developed to add lights out machining at a very affordable price to any modern CNC machine tool.
The Agile Flex is available in Drawer and Pallet models and offers a range highlights including:
- Highly flexible design with up to 8 high capacity drawers with an additional pallet on top of the drawer chest
- Access the drawers from both sides of the drawer chest
- Flexible configurations – install parallel or perpendicular to your CNC machine
- Simple to use and visually rich parametric control software
- Optional automatic part re-grip station
- Adjustable gripper jaws
- Very affordable price
Agile Flex compact and affordable CNC machine tool loading system on show at Austech 2019