Gibbs and Mazak Partner at Customer Events

Gibbs and Associates, a developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools, has announced that its long-standing collaborative relationship with Mazak Corporation in support of the entire line of Mazak machine tools has led to its recent participation at various Mazak Corporation events. In the last 60 days, Gibbs and its resellers supported the machine tool builder at four major customer events in Mazak Technology Centers in the U.S.A. and Canada and also the TECMA machine tool technology show in Mexico.

"At Mazak Technical Center Open House events, Gibbs participation involved live, one-on-one, demonstrations or discussions with Mazak customers, in addition to continuous video demonstrations," said a company spokesperson. "At a February two-day event in Houston, TX, GibbsCAM technical support and live demonstrations were provided by local Gibbs reseller Texas Offline, one of Gibbs top resellers for thirteen years. Roger Ablett, Gibbs General Manager, Strategic Partner Program also assisted in demonstrations."

At the March TECMA event held in Mexico City, GibbsCAM was demonstrated continuously in the Mazak exhibit. Demonstrations included beginning-to-end programming and machining of a 3-axis part by Gibbs reseller Manufactura Especializada en CNC. Programming was done with GibbsCAM 2009's Advanced 3D High Speed Machining module, and the part was machined on the Mazak Nexus 510C-II CNC vertical machining center.

Also at another March open house event in Chicago, IL, Gibbs provided direct support. This open house event included a keynote address by Brian Papke, Mazak Corporation President. Roger Ablett, Gibbs General Manager, Strategic Partner Program, delivered presentations on using GibbsCAM to improve the productivity of the Mazak Integrex MTM machines. The final day of the open house, Career Day for students from local colleges and high schools, included presentations for those considering careers in manufacturing.

At the Toronto Technical Center open house in April, Gibbs was assisted by the GibbsCAM reseller responsible for the Eastern Canadian market.

"This collaborative relationship has been beneficial to both companies," said Robb Weinstein, Gibbs' Senior VP, Sales and Strategic Planning, "but the largest beneficiaries have been our joint customers. We will continue to support Mazak and their machines to ensure that users of our technologies gain the greatest advantage from both."

"For many years, Gibbs and Associates has immediately supported Mazak machine tools as they are released, providing Mazak customers the CNC programming capabilities they need to make the machines quickly productive," the spokesperson said. "Mazak regularly supplies Gibbs the specifications and guidance that enables GibbsCAM to produce and verify the most accurate CNC programs. Gibbs can also create models of machines and components, and incorporate them into GibbsCAM's dynamic machine simulation for an additional level of program prove-out. Verification and simulation reduce on-machine testing and increase safety at the machine.

"Gibbs application engineers work closely with Mazak process application engineers at Mazak Technology Centers, worldwide, to validate and perfect GibbsCAM post processors for the unique configurations and capabilities of Mazak CNC machines. This effort has led GibbsCAM to offer a wide range of post processors for Mazak machines.

"GibbsCAM post processors cover Mazak's broad line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, and the simplest to most complex multi-axis, multi-task machines (MTM) with triple turrets and dual spindles, which include the Integrex series, Integrex e series, Multiplex series, Quick Turn series, Super Quadrex, Hyper Quadrex Model 150 MSY, Super Quick Turn and Quick Turn Nexus series, and the VariAxis series."

A few key GibbsCAM post processor and other functions for Mazak MTM include:

Synchronization to optimize turret utilization and cycle times,
Simultaneous 4- and 5-axis machining,
Pinch or balanced turning, for simultaneous upper and lower turret work on the same spindle,
Synchronized milling, for simultaneous milling and drilling with upper and lower turrets on the same spindle,
Y-axis support on all turrets and
Machine simulation for visual verification and collision detection and avoidance.