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Mazak at IMTS 2026
From September 14-19, in Chicago, Mazak will showcase the high performance VCEz vertical machining center, delivering stronger cutting performance, improving surface finishes, and reducing cycle times for manufacturing high-precision parts.
www.mazak.com
Mazak Corporation integrates standardized robotic interfaces into vertical machining infrastructure to enhance industrial automation capabilities. The collaboration between machine tool manufacturers and robotics providers addresses the operational demand for automated part processing in high-throughput manufacturing environments.
Industrial challenge and automation requirements
High-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments require increased machine tool utilization without introducing operational complexity. To mitigate labor shortages and optimize cycle times, production facilities require machining centers capable of seamless integration with external automation components. Traditional custom integrations often lead to extended deployment phases and compatibility issues, necessitating factory-supplied, standardized interfaces between the machine tool and robotic systems.
Technical solution and architectural interface
The Mazak VC-Ez 20 vertical machining center provides the mechanical and digital foundation for these automated systems. The architecture incorporates factory-supplied automatic doors and dedicated robot interfaces designed for field integration.
The machine operates with the following technical specifications:
- Spindle performance: A standard 40-taper, 12,000 rpm, 18 kW spindle, with an optional 15,000 rpm, 22 kW variant delivering 110 Nm of torque.
- Tool capacity: A standard 30-tool automatic tool changer, expandable to a 50-tool capacity magazine.
- Axis travels: Travel parameters measure 1050 mm in X, 510 mm in Y, and 635 mm in Z, accommodating workpieces up to 1250 mm long, 492 mm wide, and 569 mm tall, with a maximum weight capacity of 1000 kg.
- Kinematics: Rapid traverse rates reach 42,011.6 mm/min across all three axes to minimize non-cutting time.
The integration interface establishes a communication link between the CNC system and external robot controllers. This setup coordinates the hardware sequence between the machine's automatic doors, internal workholding fixtures, and the robotic arm's gripping mechanisms.
Control infrastructure and deployment
Control and synchronization are managed via MAZATROL Smooth CNC systems. The infrastructure supports multiple control tiers depending on application complexity:
Control infrastructure and deployment
Control and synchronization are managed via MAZATROL Smooth CNC systems. The infrastructure supports multiple control tiers depending on application complexity:
- MAZATROL SmoothEz: Standard control focused on streamlined programming and basic integration.
- MAZATROL SmoothG: Adds advanced process management functions for higher speed and precision.
- MAZATROL SmoothX: Provides maximum processing performance and advanced software functions to reduce cycle times during complex automated operations.
The complete system occupies a physical footprint of 9.54 square meters, optimizing floor space utilization within digital infrastructure layouts.
Implementation and operational impact
The integration was demonstrated at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2026) in Chicago, USA, from September 14 to 19, 2026. By utilizing factory-certified robot interfaces, industrial users reduce engineering overhead during field deployment. The system logic ensures process stability and maintainability by preventing axis movement while loading doors are active, directly supporting workplace safety and continuous unmanned operation.
Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.
www.mazak.com
Implementation and operational impact
The integration was demonstrated at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2026) in Chicago, USA, from September 14 to 19, 2026. By utilizing factory-certified robot interfaces, industrial users reduce engineering overhead during field deployment. The system logic ensures process stability and maintainability by preventing axis movement while loading doors are active, directly supporting workplace safety and continuous unmanned operation.
Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.
www.mazak.com
