Yamazaki Mazak has continued its commitment to high-quality, homegrown machine tool manufacturing by making another substantial investment in production equipment at its UK-based European Manufacturing Plant.
The latest multimillion-pound investment includes the installation of a state-of-the-art twin-pallet VERSATECH V-140N/280 and FJV-60/80 double-column vertical machining centre as Mazak continues to increase its production capacity post-Brexit. The machines will be used to manufacture large component parts for new Mazak machines built at its plant in Worcester, demonstrating Mazak’s trust in its own technologies to provide high-quality work.
“When it comes to selecting the best possible tools to manufacture our machining solutions, Mazak stands out as one of the few machine tool manufacturers able to practice what it preaches,” says Stuart Astley, Production Director at Yamazaki Mazak UK. “We don’t just present our machine tools as market leaders to customers, we know well their quality. As such, they are always first-choice when we’re looking to expand the plant’s production capacity.”
He continues: “These purchasing decisions are not ones we make lightly, as Mazak has cemented its status as a leading supplier of machining centres due to the high-performing options we offer. This quality must therefore be mirrored within our own production processes, and we are fully confident that these new machines can help maintain the level of machining quality and precision Mazak is renowned for.”
The latest in the VERSATECH Series of multiple-surface 5-axis double column machining centres, the V-140N/280 can continuously machine large workpieces up to 3,100mm in length thanks to a 10,000rpm 50-taper spindle head with B- and C-axis capability. Alongside the FJV-60/80, it has replaced older on-site machines and will allow Mazak to increase the facility’s capacity for producing large components, enabling more work to be completed in-house and further guaranteeing best machining quality.
The installations are the latest in a series of investments made at Mazak’s Worcester facility, which is the company’s sole machine tool manufacturing site on the continent. Mazak had previously installed two new state-of-the-art manufacturing cells in 2019 to make parts for its extensive range of UK-made machine tools, with each cell equipped with an INTEGREX i-Series machine from its flagship Multi-Tasking solutions range, and RoboJob automation system.
The continued boosting of the plant’s advanced machining capabilities is part of Mazak’s ongoing efforts to ensure it has the flexibility, adaptability and productivity required to thrive in the UK’s post-Brexit manufacturing landscape, says Mr Astley.
He concludes: “The best way to demonstrate the capability of state-of-the-art Mazak machine tools is to see them in action in a Mazak factory. The Worcester facility already enjoys iSMART Factory™ status and a prominent position in Mazak’s global manufacturing footprint, but the march of progress is forever ongoing and we must adapt accordingly.
“As such, the installation of large-scale machining centres with enhanced connectivity and compatibility with Smooth Scheduler software further strengthens the UK plant’s reputation as a blueprint for advanced manufacturing solutions. Not only will the installation of the new VERSATECH V-140N/280 and FJV-60/80 improve overall capacity at the facility, it will also ensure Mazak will remain agile and competitive during this exciting time for UK manufacturing.”
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