INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Full Industry 4.0 solution

Industry 4.0 will be placed at the centre of the EMO display from Yamazaki Mazak, where the company will be unveiling its iSmart factory concept (Hall 27, Stand B56). The stand will also feature 25 new machines, including 15 making their world debuts. The iSmart factory concept utilises Mazak’s Industry 4.0 infrastructure, which enables machine users to make the step-up from automated cell manufacturing to a completely connected factory of the future. Three key pillars form the solution: Mazak Smooth CNC technology; the new SmartBox, which provides fast data analysis with increased security; and the MT Connect standard communication protocol.

Taking centre stage from a machine perspective will be the latest addition to Mazak’s flagship Integrex range. The Integrex i-500 extends the capacity of the i series and features a modular design concept. This machine will be joined by another model shown for the first time, the Integrex i-800V/8, which combines full five-axis milling, turning and pallet-changing capabilities on a vertical platform.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Wire EDM duo unveiled

Sodi-Tech EDM will be using the exhibition to unveil two new wire-erosion machines, the Sodick ALC800G and VL600QH (Hall 13, Stand A86). The newly announced ALC800G incorporates all the features and benefits of Sodick’s Premium wire range, as well as offering a three-sided automatic door and 1500 x 1040 mm work tank. A high-column (optional) version of the machine provides an extended Z-axis stoke of 800 mm. Meanwhile, the new VL600QH, which incorporates an extended Z-axis stroke of 500 mm – making it suitable for tackling tall workpieces – is a development of the VL600Q linear motor driven wire-cut EDM.
For further information www.sodi-techedm.co.uk

Grinder debut

Matrix Machine Tool will be demonstrating the capabilities of two of the company’s new CNC gear-grinding machines at EMO (Hall 11, Stand A16). The Matrix MGG-0300 CNC continuous generating gear grinding machine has been designed for the high-volume production of gear forms, while the Matrix MBGC-100 CNC is a bevel gear cutter that can be configured as a bevel gear grinder – making an MBGG-100. Also at EMO, Matrix will be exhibiting a new ‘Tapping Module’, which will allow the company’s 0550 CNC machine to create back-off angles for the grinding of taps.
For further information www.matrix-machine.com

Laser cutting integrated with turning

Citizen Machinery has announced that integrated laser processing and low-frequency vibration (LFV) machining technology incorporated into sliding-head turn-milling operations will be highlighted on the company’s stand (Hall 26, Stand D25). Citizen’s integrated laser processing technology enables geometric shapes and holes to be machined in the walls of solid bar material that is pre-drilled in-cycle, or directly into tubular bar material. Target sectors include medical, electronics and other micro-related industries. LFV allows users to overcome swarf-control issues such as ‘bird nesting’ by programming at the machine the optimum length of chip for the material being processed.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Sawing and storage innovations

Kasto will present innovations from both sides of the company’s business – sawing machines and storage systems (Hall 15, Stand D58). Highlights will include an automatic version of the KASTOmicut swing-frame bandsaw, the A 2.6, which will make its world debut. During 2016, the KASTOmicut swing-frame bandsaw range was introduced. A fully automatic version is now available, model A 2.6, which will be prominent on the company’s stand. Compared with the manual and semi-automatic variants, the machine offers additional features that include the monitoring of saw-blade tension, carbide-blade guides and an optional chip conveyor for virtually unattended operation.
For further information www.kasto.com