To support the production of another new Kentucky-designed and built line of machine tools, Mazak has expanded its Florence, Kentucky, manufacturing campus with the addition of a new Syncrex Assembly Plant where they build Swiss-style machine tools.
The 27,000-square-foot building combines engineering, production, and applications support for the company’s recently launched Syncrex Series of Swiss-style machine tools designed specifically for precision production of small parts.
With an output capacity of up to 10 machines per month, the Syncrex building features overhead cranes and equipment its employees need to produce 16 different models within the Syncrex Series for serving the North American market.
The machines come in four-barstock capacities (20/25/32/38) and four different axis configurations up to a 9X model with full B-axis contouring capabilities. Production flow through the building starts with a machined base that progresses through assembly operations and on to alignment, testing, inspection, and runoff procedures before shipping.
“While the building’s name is the Syncrex Assembly Plant, a lot more than just assembly happens there,” said Kevin Sekerak, plant manager at Mazak. “Within the new building’s production flow, we’ve incorporated applications support, which is extremely critical for this particular type of machine. That support entails integrating various forms of automation and other ancillary systems with the machines, then proving them out to make sure they all operate to customer performance requirements and specifications. Often, applications specialists will work side by side with assembly technicians during customer runoffs of a machine.”
The sliding-headstock Syncrex machines are all constructed on Mazak High Damping Composite Castings (HDCC) produced in the United States and machined at Mazak Kentucky. The unique high rigidity base provides greater vibration damping characteristics, less thermal growth, and greater part surface capabilities when compared to a cast iron base machine. Mazak also produces Syncrex spindles, headstocks, sheet metal, and other key components in Kentucky to ensure every machine provides the highest possible accuracy and repeatability.
Launching the all-new Syncrex line, Mazak further expanded its machine tool technology portfolio – in particular those models designed and produced in Florence. Among its Kentucky-built products is the company’s well-received Ez Series of machines that provide today’s job shops affordability without sacrificing machine performance.
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