Mazak at EuroBLECH 2024: Innovative Laser Technology and a European Market Premiere

Yamazaki Mazak is excited to announce the European debut of its latest cost-effective laser cutting machine, the OPTIPLEX 3015 Ez, at EuroBLECH 2024. This innovation makes cutting-edge technology for high-precision laser cutting accessible to a wide range of industries at an economical price.

Comprehensive Manufacturing Solutions

Mazak will also use this exhibition to showcase its commitment as a provider of integrated manufacturing solutions. The company will demonstrate powerful and precise laser cutting capabilities for large material thicknesses, highlighting how the synergy between its laser cutting machines and traditional machine tools can help customers operate more productively and profitably.

User-Friendly and High Performance

With the launch of the OPTIPLEX 3015 Ez, Yamazaki Mazak offers customers exceptional user-friendliness and outstanding performance at an affordable price. This aligns with the company’s commitment to deliver innovative solutions that meet the increasing demands of the manufacturing industry.

Precision and Reliability

These machines are designed for a variety of materials and thicknesses, boasting exceptional precision, high mechanical rigidity, and unparalleled reliability. Intelligent features provide users with efficient assistance and protective measures, minimizing setup times and optimizing productivity.

Integrated Manufacturing Cell

The 6 kW machine displayed at EuroBLECH is integrated into a fully automated manufacturing cell, where the workpiece undergoes all necessary processes from blank to finished part.

In addition to the OPTIPLEX Ez, which is equipped with a triple pallet changer to optimize cycle time, the cell includes a Mazak warehouse automation system, the CST 3015, with eight storage compartments: six for loading new materials and two for unloading scrap metal. It also features a robotic sorting system—the Mazak SMART MANUFACTURING CELL—designed to separate the finished parts and place them on a prepared pallet for the next process.

Centralized Control

The individual components of the cell are coordinated by the new Smooth Line Controller software. The integrated Smooth Line Controller app allows for comprehensive process integration, involving all steps from order intake and program transfer from the CAD/CAM department to material management, laser cutting, sorting, and feedback on finished parts. This system not only facilitates manufacturing planning but also relays critical production data back to the ERP system.

New OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO

Also showcased at EuroBLECH will be Mazak’s latest fiber laser cutting machine, the OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO. This 20 kW machine belongs to the Mazak NEO series, known for its high productivity and precision while offering one of the highest environmental compatibilities among machines in its performance class.

Cutting Capability and Performance

The machine’s work area allows for cutting sheets up to 1525 mm x 3050 mm using a new 20 kW fiber laser resonator. Thanks to the high-performance laser source and new GRAND CUT technology, the machine achieves maximum accuracy and stable cutting characteristics on thick sheets.

One of the standout features of the machine is Mazak’s beam shaping technology, enhanced by the beam diameter control in the Multi-Control Cutting Head (MCT3), which significantly increases production and superior cut quality.

Enhanced Cutting Stability

By adjusting the beam shape, operators can now cut sheets up to 50 mm thick with up to four times greater stability compared to conventional laser cutting. The beam shaping also improves the angular deviation of the cut edge by more than 80% compared to traditional machines, resulting in significantly higher cut quality.

Visitors to Mazak’s booth can witness live demonstrations and inspect cut sample workpieces to experience the innovative beam shaping and GRAND CUT technologies and Mazak’s cutting quality.

Synergistic Benefits

The synergistic effects of Mazak’s offerings in laser cutting technology and machine tools yield shorter cycle times and lower tool costs for users. This will be demonstrated at EuroBLECH using the OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO with 20 kW and Mazak’s new Friction Stir Welding (FSW) machine. An aluminum sheet will be cut using laser technology before being transferred to the machine for friction stir welding.

Advanced FSW Machine

In light of the significant challenges faced when using friction stir welding to join materials, Mazak has developed the highly robust FSW-460V, which features high torsional rigidity and can handle table loads of up to 500 kg within its 900 mm x 460 mm working area. This foundation ensures that the spindle of the FSW-460V can reliably produce a maximum axial force of 14 kN at speeds of up to 10,000 rpm, enabling high-speed welding.

Insights from Mazak Leadership

Gaetano Lo Guzzo, Director of Laser Business Europe at Yamazaki Mazak, comments: “EuroBLECH is the most important laser trade fair in Europe. We are pleased to present three innovative machine concepts that will help our customers achieve greater productivity and profitability.

With the OPTIPLEX Ez, we aim to bring to market an affordable and user-friendly laser cutting machine that delivers proven Mazak quality without compromise. When integrated into a turnkey manufacturing cell that automates the complete manufacturing process from raw material to finished parts, its full potential is evident. We will explain to users how they can seamlessly integrate laser cutting into their production.

Companies already utilizing laser cutting technology will be able to experience the new beam shaping and GRAND CUT technologies, features of the OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO, which ensure that thicker sheets can now be cut with greater precision and higher cut quality. This, in turn, reduces the need for rework, enabling further increases in productivity and profitability.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.mazakeu.com