Automation & Controls

Mazak Corporation has opened its new Phoenix Technical Center to provide service and support for manufacturers throughout the Western United States. To showcase the new facility, Mazak will also host a grand opening event later this year. “We continue to establish new facilities to further ensure customers receive the local service and support they need,” said Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corporation.

The EZ-SmartTower from Lyndex-Nikken is a machine tracking solution that is designed to increase machine shop efficiency by streamlining ROI analysis of machine tools. The EZ-SmartTower provides real-time machine analytics, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions and maximize productivity – with no specialized expertise required.The EZ-SmartTower enables machine shops to seamlessly monitor and analyze production data of up to 30 machines from a single, centralized computer.

AI-Driven Robot Tackles Tedious Sanding, Boosting Consistency and Efficiency

Part 1 of our ERT mini-series: Cole shows how mobERT mobile robots automate Rollomatic grinding — machine tending, AI 3D bin-picking, AMR navigation, and smart-factory workflow.

The Sidekick from Methods Machine Tools Inc. pairs with any FANUC RoboDrill for light, unattended machining. Supported by FANUC CRX-10iA/L robot mounted to a standardized table design, the Sidekick holds up to 30 workpieces.

Addressing a crowded room at Mazak Corp.'s Discover 2025 event on Oct. 7, FANUC America Corp. President Mike Cicco emphasized the growing role automation plays within shops that strive to maintain a competitive edge. Shops that implement automation solutions not only improve their productivity, he told attendees, they increase their flexibility to take on jobs big, small and anything in between.

UR8 Long's extended reach, combined with coordinated multi-axis motion, allows for complex weldments at consistent quality. Motion performance optimization also delivers smoother movements at maximum speed to significantly enhance fast-paced bin picking.

A collaborative robot integration slashed plasma cutting cycle times, boosting throughput and safety.

Sam Kirkpatrick, Senior Product Manager at ANCA, introduces AIMS Connect, a digital platform designed for CNC machinery that integrates with factory systems such as ERP and MES.

The Hexagon Live Global conference returned to Las Vegas June 16–19, this time at the Fontainebleau resort and casino. This year marks a quarter century of measurement technology development for Stockholm, Sweden-headquartered Hexagon AB, following its 2001 acquisition of metrology tool manufacturer Brown & Sharpe, said Ola Rollén, chairman of the board.

Machine shops adopt intelligent, flexible systems to overcome labor gaps and streamline production.

Swift-Cut, an ESAB brand, has introduced the ESAB Precision 130 high-precision plasma power source, which is now available as an option for its Swift-Cut XP heavy-duty plasma table.