Americanmachinist 2579 84795kentuckyma00000057103
Americanmachinist 2579 84795kentuckyma00000057103
Americanmachinist 2579 84795kentuckyma00000057103
Americanmachinist 2579 84795kentuckyma00000057103
Americanmachinist 2579 84795kentuckyma00000057103

Productivity Investment

Sept. 14, 2009
Mazak plans to boost productivity dramatically at its Kentucky manufacturing plant, with the addition of several new multiple surface 5-axis double-column machining centers. In its own manufacturing plant in Florence, Ky., Mazak ...
Mazak plans to boost productivity dramatically at its Kentucky manufacturing plant, with the addition of several new multiple surface 5-axis double-column machining centers.

In its own manufacturing plant in Florence, Ky., Mazak will reach much higher levels of productivity as a result of a $9 million investment in four new Versatech V-100N multiple surface 5-axis doublecolumn machining centers. Two of the machines have already been installed and put into production lines, and all four will replace six older V-100 models from the company’s FMS line.

The new V-100s accommodate very large workpieces and are equipped with special, powerful spindle heads that position to the vertical and horizontal positions and any angle in between. Depending on the part being produced, the machines have the potential to improve productivity between 40 percent and 70 percent.

Mazak believes that for those who want to reap the benefits when the economy turns around, now is the time to invest in new technology.

“These machines not only represent new technology, but also a new approach to production. Through higher productivity and efficiency, we are truly moving to a production-on-demand model. This allows us much greater flexibility in meeting customers’ needed product configurations. The old days of building to a forecast, accumulating inventory, then selling that inventory at reduced prices doesn’t work anymore,” said Brian Papke, president of Mazak. “We need to be fast, responsive to change and build to the customer’s order specifications. We now manufacture over 35 basic product models, including the well-accepted Nexus vertical and turning centers with multi-tasking capability.”

This fall, customers will have the opportunity to view all the production improvements at Mazak and new products to be introduced. The company is hosting its “Your Manufacturing Future. Refocus. Rediscover. Reinvent,” event Sept. 15 - 17 at its Florence facility, which recently attained ISO 9001:2008 certification. The facility previously held ISO 9001:2000 certification, obtained in 2003.