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Multi-Pallet Pool System Provides Continuous Lights-Out Operations



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

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