Mazak Corporation recently showcased its new VARIAXIS C-600 Vertical Machining Center that, according to the company, not only helps reduce the intimidation factor of full simultaneous 5-axis machining, but also makes automation integration easy.
Mazak presented the machine fitted with the compact Multi-Pallet Pool (MPP) System, a compact pallet system designed to give shops that lack the floor space necessary to accommodate a conventional linear horizontal pallet stocker the ability to achieve continuous unmanned, lights-out operations.
"While considered a solid 'first step' into 5-axis machining for some shops, the user-friendly and compact VARIAXIS C-600 is a highly capable machine," said a company spokesperson. "It fulfills all of a shop's demands for increased speed, stability and power in addition to offering a range of maximum tool capacity and flexible automation options."
The MPP automation system features a carousel-style design that maximizes utilization of space to offer the convenience of a larger Mazak PALLETECH System while taking up to 40% less room. Servo motors on each axis, as well as a two-level pallet arrangement that keeps each pallet the same distance from the center of the stocker, help ensure fast and stable loading/unloading. Designed to expand as production needs grow, manufacturers can reconfigure the system's standard 10-pallet stocker to house 16 pallets for even further increased output.
The VARIAXIS C-600's versatile sheet-metal enclosure makes it suitable for a comprehensive range of automation solutions. "Its innovative design provides easy, seamless automation integration for production facilities of any size, from job shops to large manufacturing plants," said the spokesperson. "As an initial automation option, shops can have a 2-pallet changer installed on the VARIAXIS C-600-a simple solution that virtually eliminates the non-cut time associated with part loading and unloading."
To further enhance automation integration, the VARIAXIS C-600 provides both front and side automatic door operation. The machine's full front door spans from the top to the bottom of the machine, which makes for enhanced user access and ergonomics. An automatic side door allows shops to load and unload parts at the side of the machine with a robot, freeing up the machine's front work area and eliminating any interference between automation and operators at the front door.
Side loading also gives shops the option to easily add standard, pre-engineered robotic part-loading systems to single-pallet/table machine configurations. In those instances, the VARIAXIS C-600 can be equipped with through-pallet hydraulics and pneumatics. With these ports, shops can mount fixtures to the machine's table, and upon part loading, the workholding sends a signal that triggers automatic part clamping.
Because time is money even when it comes to tool changing, the VARIAXIS C-600 offers 30-, 60-, 90- and 120-tool magazines as well as "random access" tool magazines that eliminate the wait time typically involved with other types of fixed-address tool systems.
Mazak offers four spindle options for the VARIAXIS C-600 to help shops find the ideal balance of speed and power. In addition to the standard 12,000 RPM CAT40 spindle, 15,000 RPM, 18,000 RPM and 20,000 RPM options are available in CAT 40, BIG Plus or HSK A-63 types. The 12,000 RPM spindle with a motor output of 11/11 kW (40%ED/cont.) and torque of 70/57.3 Nm (40%ED/cont.) comes standard on the VARIAXIS C-600, offers a high cost-to-performance ratio and is well-suited for machining steel, cast iron and aluminum.
The 15,000 RPM spindle with a motor output of 46/37 kW (40% ED/cont.) and maximum torque of 200/131 Nm (40% ED/cont.) is a high-power/high-torque option that further boosts productivity for cutting parts from stainless steel, titanium, Inconel and other high-temperature alloys. It also provides the torque needed for running large-diameter tooling effectively.
The 18,000 RPM spindle is a high-speed option that provides a spindle motor output of 30/26 kW (40% ED/cont.) and torque of 105/88 Nm (40% ED/cont.), while the 20,000 RPM spindle option delivers a motor output of 42/26 kW (40% ED/cont.) and torque of 161/103 Nm (40% ED/cont.). Both high-speed spindles allow shops to achieve aggressive material removal rates, especially in aluminum machining applications. The spindles are also suited for shops that run small-diameter tools for light, fast cuts in finishing operations.
On the control side, the VARIAXIS C-600 features a new MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC made specifically for maximizing full 5-axis machining performance while running peripheral functions. The control incorporates a wide variety of advanced programming functions that allow it to offer ease of use and provide high-speed, high-accuracy machining performance. The Solid MAZATROL function, for instance, lets shops use 3D CAD data and an AI-enhanced machining process selection for optimized MAZATROL part programs.
Other MAZATROL SmoothAi functions include SMOOTH Ai Spindle and Ai Thermal Shield. SMOOTH Ai Spindle leverages AI technology to optimize cutting conditions and surface finishes through automatic spindle vibration detection, while Ai Thermal Shield offers stable machining accuracy through machine-learning-enhanced heat displacement compensation.
On the user side, the VARIAXIS C-600 features a convenient 36" pallet height, which puts the center of the machine's table only 39" away and well within comfortable reach for the average operator. The machine's control pendant is mounted in close proximity to the front door and swings/pivots to accommodate users.
For more information contact:
Mazak Corporation
P.O. Box 970
Florence, KY 41022-0970
859-342-1700
www.mazakusa.com
Southwest
Chris Papke
Mazak SW Technology Center
10950 Greenbend Blvd.
Houston, TX 77667
281-931-7770
cpapke@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com
LA
Richard Cahn
Dixie Mill Machine Tools Co.
901 Tchoupitoulass Street
New Orleans, LA 70152
504-525-6101 / 888-462-9519
rcahn@dixiemill.com
www.dixiemill.com
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
Chris Papke
Mazak Corporation
935 S. Kimball St., Ste. 151
Southlake, TX 76092
800-642-6110 / 817-329-6290
cpapke@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakcorp.com
W. TX
Chris Edgar
Magnum Precision Machines, Inc.
12025 Rojas Drive, Suite A
El Paso, TX 79936
915-856-7900
cedgar@magnumabq.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 Pkwy
Suwanee, GA 30024
678-985-4800
dkennedy@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com
NC, SC, VA
Crotts & Saunders, LLC
2709 Boulder Park Ct.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-765-7250
www.crottsandsaunders.com
TN
Dennis McCurry
Pinnacle Machine Tools, Inc.
5912 Toole Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
865-951-0260
mccurry@pinnaclemachine.net
AL, FL Panhandle
Jerry Edwards
Pinnacle Machine Tool Inc.
141 Nick Fitcheard Road
Huntsville, AL 35806
256-852-0900
edwards@pinnaclemachine.net
GA
Tim Kramer
Premier Engineering Co.
1635 Lakes Pkwy. Ste. U
Lawrenceville, GA 30043-5858
678-442-8382
tim@premierengineering.com
AL, FL Panhandle
Jerry Edwards
Pinnacle Machine Tool Inc.
141 Nick Fitcheard Road
Huntsville, AL 35806
256-852-0900
edwards@pinnaclemachine.net
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
rcahn@dixiemill.com
www.dixiemill.com
FL
Perry Leonor
Mazak Florida Technology Center
6895 McCoy Drive, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 60504
689-205-5626
pleonor@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com
Northeast
New England, E. NY, NJ, E. PA, MD, DE
Greg Kaufman
Mazak Northeast Technology Center
700 Old County Cir.
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
800-436-8900 / 860-292-4400
gkaufman@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com
W. NY
Bill Miller
A.W. Miller Technical Sales
7661 Seneca St. / PO Box 69
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-652-8282
bmiller@awmiller.com
www.awmiller.com
W. PA, N. WV
Bill Miller
A.W. Miller Technical Sales
3 Tara Drive / PO Box 220
Harmony, PA 16037
724-453-1690
bmiller@awmiller.com
www.awmiller.com
S. WV
Crotts & Saunders, LLC
2709 Boulder Park Ct.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-765-7250
www.crottsandsaunders.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, W. WI
Joel Lundin
Tony Bailey
Northwest Machine Technologies, Inc.
20851 Commerce Blvd.
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
www.industrial-systems-supply.com
E. IA
Jeff Everett
Mazak Iowa Technology Center
609 Myatt Drive, Ste. 1
Maquoketa, IA 52060
563-652-6065
jeverett@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com
E. 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, W. MO
Nick Shelton
Concept Machinery -
A Shelton Machinery Company
9900 North by Northeast Blvd.
Fishers, IN 46037
317-845-5588
nshelton@conceptmachinery.com
www.conceptmachinery.com
E. WI
Mike Cekanor
Machinery Systems North
3280 Gateway Rd.
Brookfield, WI 53045
262-781-4850
mikec@machsys.com
www.machsys.com
N. IL, N.W. IN
Eric Hilliard
Machinery Systems Inc.
614 East State Parkway
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-882-8085
erich@machysys.com
www.machsys.com
E. MI
Steve Addy
Addy Machinery Co.
36055 Groesbeck Highway
Clinton Township, MI 48035
586-741-3000 / 800-ADDY-NOW
steve@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 Knox
Knox Machinery, Inc.
375 Industrial Drive
Franklin, OH 45005
937-743-2641
www.knoxmachinery.com
S. IN, KY
Nick Shelton
Shelton Machinery, Inc.
9900 North by Northeast Blvd.
Fisher, IN 46037
317-845-5588
nshelton@sheltonmachinery.com
www.sheltonmachinery.com
N. OH
Motch & Eichele
318 Remington Road
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224
800-833-9730
www.mande.com
West
CO, E. WY
Randy Breitenbach
Action Machinery International
7790 S. Wheeling Ct. Unit A
Englewood, CO 80112
303-532-2900
randy@action-machinery.com
www.action-machinery.com
WA, OR
Mark Harris
CNC Machine Services, Inc.
7808 184th St. SE
Snohomish, WA 98296
425-788-4500
sales@cncmachineservice.com
www.cncmachineservice.com
N. ID
Dave Fisher
Dependable Machine
88 W Orchard Ave
Hayden, ID 83835
866-967-0146 / 208-714-4652
sales@dependablemachineryrepair.com
www.dmi-cnc.com
AZ, S. NV
Chris Edgar
Magnum Precision Machines
4848 S. 35th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
602-431-8300
cedgar@magnumabq.com
www.magnumprecisionmachines.com
UT, S. ID, MT, W. WY
Tom Weaver, General Manager
Smith Machinery Company
41 W Guest Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
80l-263-6403
tweaver@smithmachinetools.com
www.smithmachinetools.com
S. CA
Richard McCauley
Mazak Western Technology Center
Aerospace Technology Center
1333 West 190th Street
Gardena, CA 90248
310-327-7172
rmccauley@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com
N. CA
Richard McCauley
Mazak Northern California
Technical Center
47273 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
rmccauley@mazakcorp.com
www.mazakusa.com