Mazak Corp. reported the new assembly plant for its SYNCREX series of Swiss-style turning machines is open now in Florence, Ken., its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing base. The 27,000-sq.ft. building houses engineering, production, and applications support for that new machine series, introduced in 2021 and distributed worldwide.
The Mazak North American Manufacturing Center in Kentucky has been steadily expanded and modernized over the past decade, with more automation and smart manufacturing capabilities installed, and more service, reconditioning, and support functions developed there.
The sliding-headstock SYNCREX machines are offered in four bar-stock capacities (20 / 25 / 32 / 38 mm) and four different axis configurations, up to a 9X model with full B-axis contouring capabilities.
Swiss machines produce high-volume precision parts typified by a high length-to-diameter ratio: the machines are configured to feed stock through a guide bushing, so that the OD turning tool cuts the stock near to the bushing where the material is supported – and thus longer workpieces can be produced with precision.
All the SYNCREX machines are built on Mazak High Damping Composite Castings (HDCC), produced in the U.S. and machined by Mazak. According to Mazak, the high-rigidity base “provides greater vibration damping characteristics, less thermal growth, and greater part surface capabilities” than a cast iron base machine.
Mazak also produces SYNCREX spindles, headstocks, sheet metal, and numerous other components in Kentucky, which contributed to accuracy and repeatability.
The SYNCREX plant has a capacity of 10 machines per month. Production flow through the building starts with a machined base that progresses through assembly operations and on to alignment, testing, inspection, and runoff procedures, prior to shipment.
“While the building’s name is the SYNCREX Assembly Plant, a lot more than just assembly happens there,” according to plant manager Kevin Sekerak. “Within the new building’s production flow, we’ve incorporated applications support, which is extremely critical for this particular type of machine.
“That support entails integrating various forms of automation and other ancillary systems together with the machines, then proving them out to make sure they all operate to customer performance requirements and specifications,” Sekerak added. “Often, applications specialists will work side by side with assembly technicians during customer runoffs of a machine.”
