Mazak Raises the Bar in Manufacturing Technology at DISCOVER Event

Mazak Corporation asserted its leadership in manufacturing technology at its recent DISCOVER 2015 event where attendees flocked to see the company’s new SmartBox technology along with over 30 of the industry’s most advanced machine tools. The technology and education event held Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5 at the company’s North American Manufacturing Headquarters in Florence, Ky., welcomed attendees from manufacturing companies across North America.

Mazak’s SmartBox is described as the industry’s first – “launch platform for easy and highly secure entrance into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).” With MTConnect technology at its foundation, the open-protocol SmartBox facilitates connectivity of machines and devices, while allowing for enhanced monitoring and analytical capabilities. SmartBox also introduces advanced cyber security protection resulting from a key partnership between Mazak and Cisco Systems Inc. for the development of the SmartBox.

On the analytics side, the SmartBox – because it is a completely open standard – works in conjunction with all the popular third-party analytical software platforms. Within its own manufacturing operations, Mazak’s platform is Merlin from MEMEX Inc., but the company welcomes customers to use their individually preferred software packages such as those of System Insights Inc., TechSolve Inc., Forcam Inc. or 5ME, LLC.

Such openness gives the SmartBox adaptability and flexibility in terms of a user’s application, existing facility software and operational needs. The strategy of non-exclusivity with any one software platform allows users the freedom to choose any software based on performance levels and capabilities and select the package that best fits their needs and fulfills their particular analytical expectations.

“The SmartBox technology represents a huge leap in digital integration across manufacturing, and the access to real-time manufacturing data it provides is critical for the improvement of overall productivity efficiency and a manufacturer’s responsiveness to customer and market changes,” said Brian Papke, president of Mazak Corporation.

During DISCOVER 2015, Mazak showcased the power of SmartBox in one of the automated cells that are part of the company’s own manufacturing operations. This offered attendees a firsthand look at the device in action within an actual manufacturing environment and facility network.

Visit Cisco’s blog to learn more about the partnership.