More than 2,000 manufacturers from across North America attended Mazak Corp.’s Discover 2019 event held November 5-7 and 12-13 at the company’s North American manufacturing headquarters in Florence, KY.
The biennial event draws manufacturers from Canada and the US to see live machine tool demonstrations and hear presentations on new and emerging machining technologies.
“Our customers have come to rely on the these events to keep up with the latest manufacturing advancements and strategies, which is why Mazak Discover continues to hold the distinction as the industry’s largest privately held manufacturing technology and education event in North America,” says Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corp.
The 2019 event featured more than 30 live machine tool demonstrations and included the North American debut of a new mixed reality training and service support system and the company’s latest smart control, Mazatrol Smooth Ai.
Attendees toured the facility and got a sneak preview of the latest improvements to the company’s iSmart Factory and a new spindle rebuild facility.
Developed with automation in mind, Mazak’s new SmoothAi control includes artificial intelligence-driven machining functions such as Smooth Robot Cell Controller and Smooth Robot Teaching Assist that make it easier to integrate a wide range of digital technologies into part-production operations. Featuring graphical user interface enhancements, the SmoothAi CNC also incorporates new products like Smooth CAM Ai, Mazatrol Twins software and Smooth Project Manager.
Mazak’s Mixed Reality Training and new remote service system takes virtual objects from VR and overlays them in the real world with an AR approach, enabling risk-free training and new possibilities for machine service and maintenance.
Machining technologies on display included machine tools paired with automation solutions, such as articulating robots and palletized part loading/unloading systems, and Mazak’s Hybrid multi-tasking series of machines which add technologies such as 3D metal printing with hot wire deposition and using force to join metals with friction stir welding to conventional machine tools.
A highlight that garnered much attention was Mazak’s iSmart Factory, which showcased the company’s latest investments in its own manufacturing operations, including a new completely automated manufacturing cell featuring Mazak’s Mazatec Smart Manufacturing System (SMS) for both machine pallet and raw material stocking and six of Mazak’s most advanced machine tools. The cell also incorporates the Mazak SmartBox IIoT technology for process monitoring and optimization.
