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Performance Enhancements Boost Machine Productivity



Mazak Corporation has made several key performance enhancements to its next-generation Horizontal Center Nexus (HCN) 4000-III horizontal machining center

(HMC). "As a result, the machine delivers significantly increased amounts of productivity and cost effectiveness, especially for those shops looking to implement HMCs as go-to workhorse machines for high-volume part processing operations," said a company spokesperson.

Key performance enhancements include those that shorten part cycle times and allow the HCN 4000-III to handle a wider variety of part sizes and more parts per set-up. These include faster rapid traverse speeds and acceleration rates, shorter chip-to-chip times and increased tool size capability. Greater part size versatility and parts per fixture result from the HCN 4000-III's expanded Y-axis travel/stroke, as well as a higher allowable thrust in its Z-axis.

Rapid traverse speed on the HCN 4000-III is now 2,362 IPM (60 m/min), and machine acceleration rate went from 0.8 G to a faster 1 G. Mazak also shortened the machine's spindle acceleration speed to 1.3 seconds for its standard 12,000 RPM spindle and to 1.5 seconds for an optional 18,000 RPM spindle.

"For fast, efficient and versatile machining of a wide variety of materials from steels to nonferrous metals, Mazak also offers 14,000 RPM and 30,000 RPM spindle options for the HCN 4000-II," said the spokesperson. "The four available integral motor spindle types - standard, high torque, semi-high speed or high-speed - allow users to match spindle performance to their specific machining requirements with the proper speeds and power."

The standard 40-taper 12,000 RPM spindle provides power and speed for general machining applications, while the high-torque, heavy-duty 40-taper 14,000 RPM version generates 88 ft-lbs of torque at a continuous rating to a maximum of 223 ft-lbs to increase metal removal rates for hard to machine materials. With maximum speeds of 18,000 RPM and 30,000 RPM, the 40-taper semi high-speed and HSK high-speed versions allow for faster machining and enhanced surface finishes when cutting aluminum and other nonferrous workpieces, according to the company.

"To further slash part cycle times, the HCN 4000-III performs chip-to-chip tool changes in only 2.4 seconds, a significant reduction from its original time of almost 3 seconds," said the spokesperson. The machine's maximum tool size capacity has also increased from 5.9 inches (150 mm) in diameter to 6.7 inches (170 mm) in diameter, allowing for the use of larger tools and, thus, faster metal removal for even shorter part cycle times."

Mazak has equipped the HCN 4000-III with a standard 40-position tool storage magazine and, as optional, offers 60-, 80-, 120- and 160-postion magazines in addition to its Tool Hive magazines with either 180, 240 or 330 positions. The large tool storage capacity of the HCN 4000-III means shops can handle a wide variety of parts and perform continuous unattended machining over long periods of time.

Enhancements that expand the HCN 4000-III's range of part size and capacity capabilities are a Y-axis stroke extended from 24.8" (630 mm) to 25.2" (640 mm); an allowable thrust level at maximum Z-axis height raised from 7,749 ft-lb to 8,487 ft-lb; and a Z-axis thrust restriction height increased from 15.74" (430 mm) to 19.68" (500 mm). The expanded Y-axis stroke helps increase productivity by giving shops the ability to process larger parts and greater amounts of smaller individual parts fixtured in taller sized tombstones. And in conjunction with the Y-axis increase, the higher Z-axis thrust level and restriction height help ensure machining forces are equally strong at both the tops and bottoms of large workpieces or tall tombstones.

For automated operation, a standalone robot can be used to load and unload the HCN 4000-III. Plus, the machine is easily incorporated into Mazak's PALLETECH Automation System. Available in one or two level configurations for the HCN 4000-III, the Palletech system provides the flexibility for shorter product lifecycles, reduced in-process inventory and just-in-time production, as well as completely automated, lights-out Done-In-One cell manufacturing, according to the company.

The HCN 4000-III features the Mazatrol Matrix 2 CNC control designed to simplify the machine's multi-tasking operations. Conversational part programming can be accomplished in Mazatrol language while the machine is cutting another part, or off-line in a CAD/CAM system. Once imported into the control, a realistic 3D cycle simulation verifies the machining cycle and checks for machine interferences.

Additionally, Mazak has improved the HCN 4000-III's ergonomics with a new Ken Okuyama machine design that emphasizes ease of access and operation. Wider door sizes provide easy access to parts and machine pallets. A centralized maintenance area - relocated from the magazine side to the operator's side - arranges valves and daily inspection items in one convenient location.

For more information contact:

George Yamane

Mazak Corporation

P.O. Box 970

Florence, KY 41022-0970

859-342-1700

gyamane@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

Southwest

Dana R. Scott

Mazak SW Technology Center

10950 Greenbend Blvd.

Houston, TX 77667

281-931-7770

DScott@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

LA

Richard Cahn

Dixie Mill Machine Tools Co.

901 Tchoupitoulass Street

New Orleans, LA 70152

504-525-6101

800-462-9519

rcahn@bellsouth.net

OK, AR

Butch Cumminsky

David James

Machinery Resources Inc.

5550 South 94th East Avenue

Tulsa, OK 74145

918-622-6495

800-448-1878

butch@mritul.com

www.mritul.com

N. TX

Bernie Lopez

InterTech, Inc.

2100 North Hwy. 360 #2103

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

972-647-0707

B.Lopez@intertechmachines.com

El Paso, TX

Felipe Arvizo

Magnum Precision Machines Inc.

12025 Rojas Dr. Suite A

El Paso, TX 79936

915-856-7900

farvizo@magnumep.com

www.magnumprecisionmachines.com

NM

Chris Edgar

Magnum Precision Machines, Inc.

8448 Washington Place NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

505-345-8389

cedgar@magnumabq.com

www.magnumprecisionmachines.com

Southeast

Dave Kennedy

Mazak Southeast Technology Center

1075 Northbrook Parkway

Suwanee, GA 30024

678-985-4800

Dkennedy@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

TN

Dennis McCurry

Pinnacle Machine Tools, Inc.

5912-A Toole Drive

Knoxville, TN 37919

865-951-0260

mccurry@pinnaclemachine.net

www.pinnaclemachine.net

AL

Jerry Edwards

Pinnacle Machine Tool Inc.

141 Nick Fitcheard Road

Huntsville, AL 35806

256-852-0900

edwards@pinnaclemachine.net

www.pinnaclemachine.net

SC, NC, VA

Rick Smith

MachineTech, Inc.

8100-J Arrowridge Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28273

704-665-6301

rick@machinetechcnc.com

GA

Tim Kramer

Premier Engineering Co.

1635 Lakes Pkwy. Ste. U

Lawrenceville, GA 30043-5858

678-442-8382

tim@premierengineering.com

www.premierengineering.com

MS

Richard Cahn

Dixie Mill Machine Tools Co.

901 Tchoupitoulass Street

New Orleans, LA 70152

504-525-6101

rcachn@bellsouth.net

FL

John Grabenau

Premier Machinery Inc.

990 Sunshine Lane

Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

407-786-2000

doc@premierequipment.com

www.premierequipment.com

Northeast

New England, E. NY, NJ

Steve Wilkins

Mazak Northeast Technology Center

700 Old County Cir.

Windsor Locks, CT 06096

800-436-8900 / 860-292-4400

SWilkins@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

E. PA, MD, DE

Jim Rutan

Mazak Mid Atlantic Office

1275 Glenlivet Drive

Allentown, PA 18106

JRutan@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

W. NY

Bill Miller

A.W. Miller Technical Sales

East Aurora, NY

716-652-8282

bmiller@awmiller.com

www.awmiller.com

W. PA

Russ Weis

A.W. Miller Technical Sales

3 Tara Drive

PO Box 220

Harmony, PA 16037

724-453-1690

rweis@awmiller.com

www.awmiller.com

Midwest

Kevin Bates

Mazak Midwest Technology Center

300 East Commerce Drive

Schaumburg, IL 60173

847-885-8311

kbates@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

ND, SD, MN

Joel Lundin

Tony Bailey

Northwest Machine Technologies, Inc.

13025 George Weber Dr., Ste. 3

Rogers, MN 55374

763-493-3660

tbailey@nwmtec.com

www.nwmtec.com

NE, W. IA

Duane Ohlrich

Industrial Systems & Supply Inc.

2760 E. 29th Avenue

Columbus, NE 68601

402-564-4445

ohlrich@industrial-systems-supply.com

E. IA

Kevin Bates

Mazak Midwest Technology Center

300 East Commerce Drive

Schaumburg, IL 60173

847-885-8311

kbates@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

MO, S. IL

Bill Summers

Municipal Tool & Machinery Co.

2465 Rock Island Blvd.

Maryland Heights, MO 63043

314-994-9905

Bsummers@municipaltool.com

www.municipaltool.com

KS

Paul Domurat

Concept Technical Sales, Inc.

6240 W. 135th St.

Overland Park, KS 66223

913-647-5366

pdomurat@concepttechsales.com

www.concepttechsales.com

WI

Mike Cekanor

Machinery Systems North

3280 Gateway Rd.

Brookfield, WI 53045

262-781-4850

mikec@machsys.com

www.machsys.com

IL, N.W. IN

Ron Mager

Machinery Systems Inc.

614 East State Parkway

Schaumburg, IL 60173

847-882-8085

ronm@machsys.com

www.machsys.com

E. MI

Peter Addy

Addy Machinery Co.

36055 Groesbeck Highway

Clinton Township, MI 48035

586-741-3000

800-ADDY-NOW

peter@addymachinery.com

www.addymachinery.com

W. MI

Peter Addy

Addy Machinery Co.

3757 Broadmoor Ave SE, Ste. A & B

Grand Rapids, MI 49512

800-AddyNOW

peter@addymachinery.com

www.addymachinery.com

S. OH

Greg Papke

Mazak Corp.

8025 Production Drive

Florence, KY 41042

859-342-1700

GPapke@mazakcorp.com

www.mazakusa.com

IN, KY

Jim Shelton

Shelton Machinery, Inc.

9900 North by Northeast Blvd.

Fisher, IN 46037

317-845-5588

jshelton@sheltonmachinery.com

www.sheltonmachinery.com

N. OH

Frank Gibbons

Numerequip

4810 Briar Road

Cleveland, OH 44135

216-265-0400

fgibbons@numerequip.com

www.numerequip.com

West

CO, E. WY

Randy Breitenbach

Action Machinery International

4950 Oakland Street

Denver, CO 80239

303-532-2900

randy@action-machinery.com

WA, N. ID

Gary Anderegg

Machine Toolworks, Inc.

14600 Interurban Avenue South

Tukwila, WA 98168

206-575-3390

ganderegg@machinetoolworks.com

OR

Alex Madsen

Machine Toolworks, Inc.

27350 SW 95th Ave., Ste. 3032

Wilsonville, OR 97070

503-682-9030

amadsen@machinetoolworks.com

AZ

Chris Edgar

Magnum Precision Machines

3614 E. Southern Ave. #1

Phoenix, AZ 85040

602-431-8300

cedgar@magnumabq.com

UT, S. ID, MT, W. WY

Clark Smith

Smith Machinery Company

41 W. Guest Avenue

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

80l-263-6403

csmith@smithmachinetools.com

S. CA

Richard McCauley

Mazak West Regional Headquarters and

Aerospace Technology Center

1333 West 190th Street

Gardena, CA 90248

310-327-7172

rmccauley@mazakcorp.com

N. CA

David Lindenmuth

Mazak San Francisco Sales and

Technical Center

1497 N. Milpitas Blvd.

Milpitas, CA 95035

408-941-2240

dlindenmuth@mazakcorp.com

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