Eye catching ergonomics

EMO 2009 saw the first fruits of the partnership between Yamazaki Mazak Corporation and the prestigious Ken Okuyama Design Company which was announced at the beginning of 2009. The Hyper Variaxis 630 multi surface machining centre is eye catching in both design and performance.

The design concept behind the machine represents the future direction of Mazak products and is a step change from conventional thinking when it comes to machine tool design. In terms of ergonomics, Mazak says that every detail has been considered, in order to ensure ease of operation, efficiency and serviceability. The oversized window and door openings make the operation of the machine easier, while the integration of the chip conveyor into the footprint of the machine ensures both clean lines and minimum floor space requirement.

At the same time the visual appearance of the Hyper Variaxis 630 has taken cues from the world of consumer electronics and it has a flow and appearance that is appealing and practical. Through the use of high quality materials the machine is designed for both longevity and reliable operation.

Ergonomics and appearance are just part of the picture. In creating this machine Mazak has responded to the needs of modern manufacturing companies for higher productivity by increasing performance through the use of linear motors in the X, Y and Z axes and direct drive motors for the A and C axes on the Variaxis' tilting rotary table. For additional accuracy, rigidity and performance, the A axis features tandem direct drive motors.

The result is an agile, multi-axis machining centre capable of feed rates of 80m/minute in X, Y and Z and rotational speeds of 50rpm (1.1 seconds for a 90° movement) on the A axis and 120rpm on the C axis, with a maximum component weight of 500 kg.

“The completely fresh approach of the Hyper Variaxis 630 will be of interest to customers on many different levels,” says David Jack, Mazak's European Group managing director. “The ergonomics of the machine are a major step forward in machine tool design and the use of linear motors to generate high speed, high accuracy, simultaneous 5-axis machining at feed rates of up to 80m/minute, will present users with a distinct productivity advantage.”

Performance is enhanced by the gantry structure of the machine's column, which means that there is no overhang on any of the linear axes movements. This, combined with a new short spindle nose, creates a stable machining platform able to take full advantage of the high feed rates and spindle speeds up to 30,000rpm (18,000rpm, 35kW as standard). At EMO the Hyper Variaxis 630 was fully operational on the Mazak stand and was seen machining a special joint component from a commercial satellite that fully displayed the speed, accuracy and productivity offered by the new machine tool.

Yamazaki Mazak
www.mazak.eu