FLORENCE, Ky., November 1, 2021 – Mazak Corporation showcased its new VARIAXIS C-600 Vertical Machining Center that not only helps reduce the intimidation factor of full simultaneous 5-axis machining, but also makes automation integration extremely easy. Mazak presented the machine fitted with the innovative and compact Multi-Pallet Pool (MPP) System, a compact pallet system designed to give shops that lack the floor space necessary to accommodate a conventional linear horizontal pallet stocker the ability to achieve continuous unmanned, lights-out operations.
While considered a solid “first step” into 5-axis machining for some shops, the user-friendly and compact VARIAXIS C-600 is a highly capable machine. It fulfills all of a shop’s demands for increased speed, stability and power in addition to offering a range of maximum tool capacity and flexible automation options. The MPP automation system features a carousel-style design that maximizes utilization of space to offer the convenience of a larger Mazak PALLETECH System while taking up to 40 percent less room.
Servo motors on each axis, as well as a two-level pallet arrangement that keeps each pallet the same distance from the center of the stocker, ensure fast and stable loading/unloading. Designed to expand as production needs grow, manufacturers can reconfigure the system’s standard 10-pallet stocker to house 16 pallets for even further increased output. The VARIAXIS C-600’s highly versatile sheet-metal enclosure makes it suitable for a comprehensive range of automation solutions. Its innovative design provides easy, seamless automation integration for production facilities of any size, from job shops to large manufacturing plants.
As an initial automation option, shops can have a 2-pallet changer installed on the VARIAXIS C-600, a simple solution that virtually eliminates the non-cut time associated with part loading and unloading. To further enhance automation integration, the VARIAXIS C-600 provides both front and side automatic door operation. The machine’s full front door spans from the top to the bottom of the machine, which makes for exceptional user access and superior ergonomics. An automatic side door allows shops to load and unload parts at the side of the machine with a robot, freeing up the machine’s front work area and eliminating any interference between automation and operators at the front door. Side loading also gives shops the option to easily add standard, pre-engineered robotic part-loading systems to single-pallet/table machine configurations. In those instances, the VARIAXIS C-600 can be equipped with through-pallet hydraulics and pneumatics. With these ports, shops can mount fixtures to the machine’s table, and upon part loading, the workholding sends a signal that triggers automatic part clamping.
Because time is money even when it comes to tool changing, the VARIAXIS C-600 offers 30, 60, 90 and 120-tool magazines as well as “random access” tool magazines that eliminate the wait time typically involved with other types of fixed-address tool systems. This makes it perfect for shops with workpieces that have short machining cycle times, but the removal of wait times quickly adds up for any shop.
Mazak offers four spindle options for the VARIAXIS C-600 to help shops find the ideal balance of speed and power. In addition to the standard 12,000 rpm CAT40 spindle, 15,000 rpm, 18,000 rpm and 20,000 rpm options are available in CAT 40, Big Plus or HSK A-63 types. The 12,000 rpm spindle with a motor output of 11/11 kW (40%ED/cont.) and torque of 70/57.3 Nm (40%ED/cont.) comes standard on the VARIAXIS C-600, delivers a high cost-to-performance ratio and is well-suited for machining steel, cast iron and aluminum. The 15,000 rpm spindle with a motor output of 46/37 kW (40% ED/cont.) and maximum torque of 200/131 Nm (40% ED/cont.) is a high-power/high-torque option that further boosts productivity for cutting parts from stainless steel, titanium, Inconel and other high-temperature alloys.
It also provides the torque needed for running large-diameter tooling effectively. The 18,000 rpm spindle is a high-speed option that sports a spindle motor output of 30/26 kW (40% ED/cont.) and torque of 105/88 Nm (40% ED/cont.), while the 20,000 rpm spindle option delivers a motor output of 42/26 kW (40% ED/cont.) and torque of 161/103 Nm (40% ED/cont.). Both high-speed spindles allow shops to achieve aggressive material removal rates, especially in aluminum machining applications.
The spindles are also perfect for shops that run small-diameter tools for light, fast cuts in finishing operations. On the control side, the VARIAXIS C-600 sports a new, highly capable MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC made specifically for maximizing full 5-axis machining performance while running peripheral functions. The control incorporates a wide variety of advanced programming functions that allow it to offer complete ease of use and ensure high-speed, high-accuracy machining performance.
The Solid MAZATROL function, for instance, lets shop use 3D CAD data and an AI-enhanced machining process selection for optimized MAZATROL part programs. Other MAZATROL SmoothAi functions include SMOOTH Ai Spindle and Ai Thermal Shield. SMOOTH Ai Spindle leverages AI technology to optimize cutting conditions and surface finishes through automatic spindle vibration detection, while Ai Thermal Shield ensures stable machining accuracy through machine-learning-enhanced heat displacement compensation.
On the user side, the VARIAXIS C-600 features a convenient 36” pallet height, which puts the center of the machine’s table only 39” away and well within comfortable reach for the average operator. The machine’s control pendant is mounted in close proximity to the front door and swings/pivots to accommodate users.