Mazak Open House highlights include single-hit large part machining and automated, efficient 2D laser profiling

It is the first time that the European Technology Centre at Worcester has featured the Integrex e-670 H II, the company's largest horizontal spindle multi-tasking machine. Having a capacity of 1,070 mm diameter, 6,000 mm length and 6 tonne capacity, the machine was set up with a demo part showing a variety of processes. These took in heavy OD roughing; ACME thread cutting; blisk profile machining; 5-axis killing to produce OD features; gear hobbing; U-axis turning of milled feature (spigots and bores). The machine is a further development of the 650 model, of which there are some 30 in the UK, but the U-axis differs and claims a particular performance level, which will support oil industry Inconel cavity feature machining, for example, allowing the integration of several operations into a single machine process, it was underlined. Clamped by three BT 30 units, the head unit includes a gearbox, with the combined benefits being rigid location and avoidance of vibration, plus greater torque. The use of 'bottle-type' tooling with the facing head is therefore possible, Machinery was told, with previously separate operations undertaken on a horizontal borer now integrated within the Integrex e-670 H II for single-set-up production. There can be two of these U-axis heads located in the machine at any one time, while of further interest is that the machine also supports boring of holes up to 1.5 m deep. Of clear interest to the oil and gas sector, the Integrex e-670 H II also offers benefits to aircraft landing gear makers in reducing multiple operations into just one. There is already one of these machines installed in Scotland, with another to follow elsewhere soon. Moving to 2D laser profiling and the 3,050 by 1,525 mm sheet size (3,100 by 1,580 in X and Y) 'flagship' Optiplex 3015 is automation-ready, featuring an automatic nozzle changer as standard, with nozzle selection undertaken by the machine itself, based on program information, and not as a specific program command that must be included, it was highlighted. Indeed, with the new Preview 2 control, it automatically determines the required lens, nozzle, feedrate and laser output for different materials and thicknesses. Other intelligent features see reduced piercing times, while energy reduction is also highlighted – 25% reduction in energy costs and 50% reduction in laser gas. A further key differentiating feature of the Panasonic laser-fitted machine is its consistent accuracy, Machinery was told. There is already one of these machines installed in the South East.