The Mazak Integrex i-350S NEO is a B-axis turn-mill that now offers grinding capability. Source (all photos except where noted): PM
Last week, I attended Mazak’s Discover 2025 event at its U.S. headquarters in Florence, Kentucky. Having the theme “Drive Results with Innovation,” the week-long technology and education event included 30 machines on display in the company’s Technology Center, many of which showcased some element(s) of automation. (See the photos below of technology in action.)
But note that I say technology and education event because, sure, there were numerous machines on display and making chips in four “action areas” including advanced machining, high-volume production, multitasking technology and shop solutions.
But Discover 2025 also offered knowledge bars where attendees could talk one-on-one about specific challenges they are facing in their shops as well as presentations in which industry leaders suggested new ideas such as how to integrate robot (and cobot) automation, highlighted industry economic trends and so on. Plus, a job-shop panel was offered in which four industry experts shared their approaches to navigating current challenges while eyeing long-term success.
In addition, attendees were able to tour the Florence iSmart Factory to see Mazak equipment making Mazak equipment. (Fun fact: Mazak has produced machine tools in North America since 1974 and, in October, celebrated the completion of its 40,000th machine built in the company’s 518,320 sq-ft facility on nearly one-million sq.ft. manufacturing campus.)
See a bit of what I saw in the photos below. And, as I always recommend, take time to attend events such as this. Your time spent in your shop is valuable, but getting out to discover new technology that can help you grow your business can pay dividends.
Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corporation, hosted me and other trade media representatives at a press conference during Discover 2025. He notes that Mazak has experienced 20 expansions at its Florence, Kentucky, manufacturing campus and currently produces more than 70 different machining solutions there. A 21st facility expansion is to come.
Here is a demo part machined on the Integrex i-350S NEO which is said to provide increased thermal stability and combines performance turning, milling and, now for the first time, grinding capability.
Discover 2025 attendees were among the first to see the latest addition to Mazak’s NEO Series machines such as the new HQR 250/3 NEO multitasking turning center which was displayed in the event’s high-volume production action area. In addition to being among the first turning center machine platforms in the next generation NEO Series line, the HQR 250/3 NEO also features Mazak’s Mazatrol SmoothG3 control technology.
Mazak’s Syncrex line of Swiss-type turning centers now offers models with bar capacity ranging from 10 to 38 mm.
The Ez Loader 30 is a compact, collaborative robot automation system designed for Mazak’s small and medium-sized multitasking machines, CNC turning centers and vertical machining centers. It has a maximum workpiece capacity of 46 lbs. and features a robot arm, vision sensor and dedicated software to safely improve production via automated machine tending.
This five-axis VC-Ez 16X VMC features a FANUC industrial robot that handles parts through multiple stages, including a blow-off station, a Hexagon inspection station for quality control and a laser engraver for part identification.
Mazak has developed more than 10 CNC controls, starting with the Mazak Mazatrol T1 control in 1981 (said to be the first conversational CNC for turning centers). The Mazatrol CNC evolution has progressed with Mazak’s recent development of Smooth Technology that encompasses a range of CNCs, some of which incorporate AI along with machine monitoring and learning capabilities.
This demo part that resembles a flowmeter was created via both traditional machining and additive manufacturing (AM) techniques to serve as an example of challenging geometry for a casting application. It was produced on a Mazak VC-500A/5X hybrid machining center, which combines five-axis machining with hot wire deposition (HWD) 3D printing.
Discover 2025 also featured solutions to support advanced machining. One example is Renishaw’s Equator X dual-method system which enables users to select the optimum inspection method — absolute or compare — to address a variety of process challenges. In other words, it can act as a shopfloor CMM or a gage.
When I attended Discover 2025, I took in a presentation from FANUC America’s Mike Cicco, company president and CEO, explaining the reasons shops could consider robotic automation and the advantages of collaborative robots including ease of integration.
Mazak has produced machine tools in North America since 1974 and now celebrates the completion of its 40,000th machine built in the company’s Mazak iSmart Factory in Florence, Kentucky. Here is the team which built it. Source: Mazak
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