If you currently manufacture large parts or are considering the addition of large-part machining capabilities to your shop, you know the distinct challenges this type of work presents. The parts are heavy, cumbersome and require close machining tolerances. The tools used to machine them can be sizeable. Setups take longer because of all that’s involved with handling big parts and large tools. And machining becomes even more challenging when the parts require multiple operations, such as milling, drilling and boring – all of which typically involve long reach situations.
At Mazak, we frequently introduce new machine models – many of which require extremely large components – so we have faced these challenges in our own factories. That’s why we recently completed the installation of a new Mazak HCN-16000Q Horizontal Machining Center in our North American Manufacturing Plant in Florence, Kentucky.