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Unique Sandvik, Mazak event unlocks secrets to modern art of milling |
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 The first in a unique series of milling presentations conducted by Sandvik Coromant Canada, Mississauga, ON and Mazak Corporation Canada, Cambridge, ON provided an in-depth look at how various milling processes and techniques can be used and optimized to improve productivity and reduce costs.
“The Modern Art of Milling presentation is not specifically about our
product, but how to use these tools and about toolpaths specifically;
how to optimize the processes and how to protect your tools,” says John
Benedetti, application and solutions, machine investments with
Sandvik. Benedetti conducted the live demonstrations of the processes
and techniques discussed during the presentation section of the program.
Sandvik had previously announced that it would partner together with
Mazak Canada in 2010 to bring its Modern Art of Milling event to
locations throughout Canada. The presentation at Mazak’s Cambridge
facility was the first such event held this year. The Modern Art of
Milling show features extensive information on how dramatically tooling
affects overall productivity and cost.
Kevin Lorch, project manager at Sandvik Coromant and one of the
presenters at the event, agreed with Benedetti on the focus of the
Modern Art of Milling presentations. “These events are not structured
as a typical training session or tooling seminar that focuses on
Sandvik Coromant products. The main purpose of Modern Art of Milling is
to stimulate manufacturers to think about how tooling is used and how
it can dramatically impact productivity and efficiency.”
Adds Lorch, “Milling is a form of art. Just like an artist requires the
right tools and techniques to create a painting or sculpture, an
engineer needs to incorporate the right milling techniques and
appropriate tools to create a final product.”
Ray Buxton, general manager with Mazak Corporation Canada, welcomed
attendees to the event and provided the audience with an overview of
Mazak, both in North America and globally. “This event is something
that Mazak is very committed to and we are very pleased to partner with
Sandvik on it.”
According to Buxton, despite the global economic downturn in 2009,
Mazak undertook a number of initiatives during the year including a $ 9
million investment in its lean manufacturing plant in Florence, KY. “We
have a manufacturing philosophy in Florence that we call production on
demand. For example, what production on demand allows us to do is make
machines specifically for the Canadian market. What that means is that
Mazak machines come into the Canadian marketplace fully compliant to
Pre-Start Health and Safety Review (PSHSR) requirements.
“In addition, we have also recently started to offer our machines
equipped to accept 575v with no external transformer. Over the life of
the machine that means the user saves between 3% to 5% in energy costs.
This is something we’ve been able to offer because of our production on
demand system in Florence and our dedication to the Canadian market,”
says Buxton. All Mazak machine tools supplied to the Canadian market
are also built in accordance with CSA standards.
The Modern Art of Milling event attracted nearly 150 attendees. The
Sandvik/Mazak Modern Art of Milling presentations will be held next in
Quebec City, QC on February 9 at the Hotel Quebec Inn and February 11
at the Quality Hotel Dorval, St. Laurent, QC The times for both
sessions are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information or to register
for an event visit Sandvik Coromant at coromant.sandvik.com/ca
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