A New Realm of 5-Axis Machining and Multitasking

Smooth Technology from Mazak Corporation (Florence, KY) made its world debut on seven of the company’s latest 5-axis and Multitasking machines at IMTS 2014. This complete process performance platform spans the entire part-production landscape, from programming and setup to metal removal operations to automation to monitoring/data collection and transfer.

Key elements of this technology are the latest MAZATROL SmoothX CNC, as well as new machine hardware and servo systems. The company developed every function of the MAZATROL SmoothX CNC in direct response to real-world issues and customer input. Its functionality and ergonomics make it the industry’s most progressive machine tool control as well as the world’s fastest. The MAZATROL SmoothX CNC’s processing capability is four times faster than its fastest CNC predecessors.

With such high performance and new Seamless Corner Control and Variable Acceleration Control functions, shops can shorten machining cycle times, especially in fine increment programs for simultaneous 5-axis machining and free-form die-mold machining.

With Seamless Corner Control, the MAZATROL SmoothX CNC reduces vibrations and helps shorten part machining cycle times via cutter path adjustments made when machining into corners. Rather than moving the cutter directly into a 90 deg corner, the function inserts a preset radial tolerance that eliminates any dwell resulting from a rapid deceleration in the axial movement often associated with conventional corner machining. Thus, corner surfaces are smoother, the risk of cutter gouging is reduced and cutters can feed much faster.

Through its Variable Acceleration Control, the MAZATROL Smooth CNCX maintains maximum acceleration/deceleration for a set of combined axes in real-time. As such, this optimized acceleration/deceleration control may reduce machining cycle times.

Mazak Corporation, 8025 Production Drive, PO Box 970, Florence, KY 41042, 859-342-1700, Fax: 859-342-1865, www.mazakusa.com.