At this year’s PRI Show, Mazak demonstrated the Kentucky-designed and built QT-Ez 12MY Turning Center that was designed to give job shops and other manufacturers affordable access to Mazak technology and engineering expertise.
The QT-Ez 12MY is a horizontal turning machine with a 12" chuck, milling, and Y-axis off-centerline capabilities for Multi-Tasking functionality.
The QT-Ez 12MY uses a larger A2-8 spindle nose with 3,300 rpm, 22 kW (30 hp), and 285 ft-lbs of torque as well as a 3.0" (76 mm) bar capacity. Within its 12-tool turret, the machine’s standard 6,000 rpm milling spindle provides 10 hp (8 kW).
On the QT-Ez 12MY, Mazak offers an optional 10" chuck for greater maximum rpm capability. Available machine turrets include drum style with bolt-on tools or a BMT55 turret for rotary tool applications. The no-tailstock option supports chucker-style operations while the standard manual-body tailstock includes a hydraulic quill and #5 live center that provides 1124 ft-lbs (5,000 Nm) of thrust. The optional servo-driven tailstock with #5 live center provides up to 1,574 ft-lbs (7000 Nm) of thrust.
To further aid shops in maximizing productivity, QT-Ez Series machines are designed for easy installation of a range of automation solutions, from simple bar feeders and parts catchers to full collaborative robot installations such as Mazak Automation Systems’ CC-10 and CC-16 Cobot System models.
The CC-10 system uses a FANUC CRX-10iA/L with a 10 kg payload capacity, while the CC-16 is built around a Universal Robots UR16e platform with a 35.27 lb (16 kg) payload capacity. Both cobot models come with three available grip systems and use an area scanner with limited fixed fencing for fully collaborative human-robot workflows.
Like all QT-Ez Series machines, the QT-Ez 12MY features a powerful, dependable integral motor headstock, Hybrid MX roller guideways, and pre-tensioned ball screws supported at both ends for reliable, thermally stable, and precise machine axis movement. A new bed casting design provides outstanding rigidity, as well as streamlined chip flow to help eliminate chip accumulation. For ease of integration, the machine incorporates a 200-230 Volt power supply system.
Along with optional spindles, chuck sizes, and tailstocks, the QT-Ez Series is available with a complete range of additional cost-effective and popular options. These include Mazak’s Automatic Tool Eye, chip conveyor, auto door, auto parts catcher, and high-pressure coolant systems, all of which make it easy for shops to improve productivity further.
For fast and easy machine programming on all QT-Ez machines, Mazak’s MAZATROL SmoothEz CNC provides dual 800 MHz processors, 512 MB of RAM, and a vibrant 15" capacitive touch screen that includes a full keyboard and displays up to 60 lines of code. Within the control, G-code and MAZATROL conversational programming languages support a full range of programming options directly on the machine, while the MAZATROL TWINS function enables the use of Solid MAZATROL, Virtual Machining, and Cutting Adviser through Smooth Cam Ai and centralized storage and file management through Smooth Project Manager.
The MAZATROL SmoothEz control also features Mazak’s LAUNCHER interface for one-touch access to any required screen for seamless operator navigation. To further streamline programming, the control’s QUICK MAZATROL function simplifies program creation and confirmation through touch screen editing and confirmation of the 3D model.
Related Glossary Terms
- chuck
chuck
Workholding device that affixes to a mill, lathe or drill-press spindle. It holds a tool or workpiece by one end, allowing it to be rotated. May also be fitted to the machine table to hold a workpiece. Two or more adjustable jaws actually hold the tool or part. May be actuated manually, pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically. See collet.
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- conversational programming
conversational programming
Method for using plain English to produce G-code file without knowing G-code in order to program CNC machines.
- coolant
coolant
Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- payload ( workload)
payload ( workload)
Maximum load that the robot can handle safely.
- turning
turning
Workpiece is held in a chuck, mounted on a face plate or secured between centers and rotated while a cutting tool, normally a single-point tool, is fed into it along its periphery or across its end or face. Takes the form of straight turning (cutting along the periphery of the workpiece); taper turning (creating a taper); step turning (turning different-size diameters on the same work); chamfering (beveling an edge or shoulder); facing (cutting on an end); turning threads (usually external but can be internal); roughing (high-volume metal removal); and finishing (final light cuts). Performed on lathes, turning centers, chucking machines, automatic screw machines and similar machines.
- turning machine
turning machine
Any machine that rotates a workpiece while feeding a cutting tool into it. See lathe.
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