With an eye on automation and process optimisation, many people are quickly seduced by beautiful robotic arms, attractive pallet systems and trendy self-driving vehicles. Less conspicuous alongside all this moving hardware, but certainly just as interesting to consider, are new software solutions. One interesting feature that Mazak has added to the Mazatrol SmoothAi CNC controller is Solid Mazatrol. The solution makes programming easier and faster. Although developments in the area of machinery are far from coming to a halt, according to Mazak, the biggest innovations today are to be found in software. "Our customers can achieve higher productivity by investing in automation and digitalisation. The productivity gain you realise with a new machine that is just slightly faster than the previous model is negligible. The goal is to have that spindle running 24/7. Only then is a real productivity improvement possible. Manufacturing companies can only achieve this with the help of automation and software solutions." Mazak's SmoothAi is one of those solutions. The CNC technology can use data and artificial intelligence to help the manufacturing sector solve common problems. These include the shortage of people and skills, the increasingly rapid introduction of new products and maintaining product quality, productivity and profitability. A new functionality in SmoothAi that can solve the skills shortage is Solid Mazatrol. Mazak has developed this feature to simplify and speed up the programming of relatively complex workpieces. With Solid Mazatrol, programmes can be automatically generated from 3D models, using artificial intelligence to intuitively learn and understand the cutting strategies used by the manufacturer. This can reduce programming time by as much as 90%, according to Mazak.
