FACE TO FACE
Alan Mucklow , Managing Director UK & National Distributor Sales , Yamazaki Mazak .
Around 50 % of the Mazak machines sold in Europe are made in the Worcester factory
“ There is certainly a shortage of fiveaxis subcontract capability , so there are opportunities to be seized in this market . The UK market is still very strong , particularly in the north ( Scotland ) on engine generation ,” he continued .
During Discovery Week at the ETC , Mazak demonstrated its new VCN and VCE series of vertical machining centres , designed and manufactured in the UK . The INTEGREX i-H series with enhanced mechanical performance and machine structure , designed to easily integrate with automation , was also on display .
Automation was also a key focus of the event . Fibre laser cutting was demonstrated on Mazak ’ s new OPTIPLEX 3015 FIBER III with KST automation at the ETC . The fibre laser system features advanced Multi-Control Torch and intelligent functions and , in Worcester , was equipped with the KST automation system ( single tower ). Mazak ’ s CV5-500 machining centre was also displayed with two different automation solutions .
“ Skills shortages are a real challenge ,” added Alan Mucklow . “ Half a million people have exited the UK market since the start of COVID-19 . One way out is automation to supplement and support manufacturers so that the workforce can be used more effectively . Automation should be embraced . Encouraging more young people into manufacturing is another . Here in Worcester we have employed , on average , between seventeen and twenty apprentices here per year over the last ten years or so . Roughly 20 % of our workforce here in Worcester has come through some
The factory tour at the ETC . form of apprenticeship , which is key to developing those skills in the future .”
Specialists and key Mazak partners in automation ; tooling / tool management ; swarf management ; CAD / CAM and finance were also available for discussion and advice to customers during ISMR ’ s visit .
Key investments
Mazak has also invested in new grinding centres and machining centres for its Worcester ETC , where it also designs and manufactures spindles .
“ We will also shortly be investing in a new laser automation centre to
Robotic automation in the workshop .
manufacture our sheet-metal products . Over the last ten years , we have made significant investments in this building and its staff . Those investments will continue next year and beyond ,” Alan Mucklow told ISMR .
Established in 1987 , the Worcester ETC has seen continuous investment and is now almost double the size . The 29,000m ² manufacturing plant is also Mazak ’ s European headquarters . Boasting over 700 employees , around 200 apprentices have been trained on-site and the factory has produced around 30,000 machines .
Mazak has built a further 13 Technology Centres around Europe , including new European Technology Centres this year in Italy and Denmark . It stormed into this October ’ s EuroBLECH 2022 sheet-metal exhibition in Hanover , Germany , with new sheet and tube fibre laser-cutting systems , innovative beamshaping laser technology and improved control software .
“ We manufacture our own automation equipment which ranges from gantry loaders and complex FMS systems to robotic loading . Our current focus is on making machines easier to automate ,” confirmed Mark Hall , European Group Product Manager , Yamazaki Mazak .
It has also invested heavily in laser , software and control technologies over the last few years as it seeks to increase its market share .
An eye on laser
Mazak launched three laser-cutting systems this year : the FG-220 , OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO new fibre ( a new fibre laser-cutting machine for sheet metal ) and FG-400 NEO ( a new fibre
Mazak ’ s workshop in Worcester .
ISMR December 2022 / January 2023 |
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