INDUSTRY NEWS
Mazak reveals infrastructure investments
Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a major investment in its European Manufacturing Plant by fully automating its Sheet Metal Department, while also launching a new website for its European customers.
The first stage of the automation project began full production in early 2025 and aims to boost sheet metal productivity at its plant in Worcester, UK, while also providing a real-life showroom for the company’ s laser and automation systems. Central to the upgrade has been the introduction of two new 6kW OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 2D Fiber laser machines used to cut a variety of components for its range of UK-made machine tools.
“ Mazak is the only UK-based machine tool manufacturer that uses its own machines during the production process. The OPTIPLEX machines boast a range of productivityenhancing features, including Mazak Beam Shaping Technology and Beam Diameter Control. By adjusting the beam shape, operators are now able to cut material up to 50mm with four times more stability compared to conventional cutting. Adjusting the beam shape can also improve the bevel angle by more than 80 % versus conventional machines,” Mazak told ISMR.
The two new machines replaced three older Hyper gear 510s and one NTX-48 CO₂
Mazak has installed two new 6kW OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 2D Fiber laser machines at its European Manufacturing Plant.
laser cutting machine. The new fibre laser cutting systems are tended by a Mazak CSTD Double Tower system to feed the sheet metal and a robotised Mazak Smart Manufacturing Cell for parts sorting.
“ This upgrade to its sheet metal cutting capability will help the plant achieve its environmental and sustainable manufacturing objectives. The introduction of the two OPTIPLEX NEO machines will reduce power consumption by 67 % compared to the four CO₂ machines previously employed, ultimately helping the Worcester facility to reduce its overall carbon footprint,” added Mazak.
“ Mazak’ s philosophy has always been to invest in new technology to achieve productivity improvements and reduce cost.
We have replaced four machines with two while shortening cycle times, improving throughput in the factory and making our sheet metal operations much more efficient. The improvements are ultimately designed to benefit our own customers by reducing lead times on our key UK-built machines, while also supporting our sustainability commitments and our focus on environmentally friendly manufacturing,” explained Richard Smith, European Group Managing Director, Yamazaki Mazak.
Mazak’ s new Sheet Metal Department will be open to visitors at the company’ s forthcoming European Laser Event, which will be held at its European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester, UK, on 20-22 May 2025. In addition to the two new 6kW OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 2D Fiber laser machines, which will be live cutting in the factory, the event will also feature demonstrations of the TUBE FT-150 NEO laser processing machine for automatic material loading, laser cutting, drilling and unloading.
To register for the European Laser Event, visit: https:// discover. mazak. com / eu-openhouse / n
www
. mazak. com / eu-en
Cold rolling complex for Luleå mini-mill project
SSAB and SMS group have signed an Early Service Agreement( ESA) on the cold rolling complex for the Luleå mini-mill project in Luleå, Sweden. Under the agreement, SMS group will supply the engineering, equipment and process automation for the new cold rolling complex.
In April 2024, SSAB’ s Board of Directors took the decision to build a modern fossil-free mini-mill in Luleå as the next step in SSAB’ s transformation to fossil-free steel production.
“ The transformation in Luleå will result in significant reductions of emissions to air and water, increase resource efficiency and remove about 2.8 million tonnes of annual carbon dioxide emissions. SSAB’ s transformation will enable a total reduction of 10 % in Sweden’ s total carbon dioxide emissions, of which Luleå accounts for 7 % and Oxelösund for 3 %,” explained SSAB.
The new cold rolling mill complex will
SSAB and SMS Group at the signing of the Early Services Agreement.
allow SSAB Europe to significantly increase production and sales of high-strength steels and premium products, particularly for automotive customers. The agreement with SMS group encompasses technology such as a Pickling Line / Tandem Cold Mill with CVC ® technology, a Continuous Galvanizing Line, a Continuous Annealing and Galvanizing Line and a Recoiling and Inspection Line.
Fully electrically heated furnaces will utilise a combination of induction and electrical radiant tubes to reduce carbon footprint. Air-knives will control the coating thickness for surface quality. Robotics applications and logistics systems will optimise material flows and streamline logistics processes within the new cold rolling complex. Automation and digitalisation solutions will monitor production efficiency, process stability and product quality.
The cold rolling complex will process strip widths up to 1,900mm and thicknesses ranging from 0.30 to 2.5mm. Also included in the scope is major auxiliary equipment, including an acid regeneration plant, roll shop, coil logistics and water treatment plants. n
www. ssab. com
www. sms-group. com
14 | ismr. net | ISMR May 2025