In Kentucky, it’s all about performance — from exceptional race horses and award-winning bourbon to America’s first mass-produced Circuit de la Sarthe Slayer: the Corvette. That same drive for excellence defines Mazak (IMTS booth #338300), which calls the Bluegrass State home. For Episode 2 of Season 4, the IMTS+ original show Road Trippin’ with Steve, powered by SMW Autoblok (IMTS booth #431617), traveled to Mazak’s U.S. headquarters to see that performance in action. At Mazak, we found a comprehensive range of vertical and horizontal machining centers and turning centers, as well as more advanced machine tools — including full simultaneous multi-axis, multi-tasking machining centers. We also learned about Mazak’s history in the United States and how its machines are being used to make more Mazak machines.An American VisionSMW Autoblok President and CEO Larry Robbins accompanied us to Mazak and introduced us to its President and CEO, Dan Janka. We talked about the importance of partnerships in manufacturing. Mazak’s commitment to serving the U.S. manufacturing industry started in 1968. At the time, the Japanese-based company made the unprecedented move of establishing a plant in the United States.“Mr. Terry Yamazaki [former Chairman of Yamazaki Mazak Corp.] was the catalyst and had the vision,” Janka recalls of the company’s U.S. origins. “His philosophy was, ‘If we're going to be successful in a region, then we need to produce machines there and offer exceptional customer service.’ He knew we had to truly commit to this region and these customers.”Mazak chose to build in Kentucky to stay close to customers. This proximity enables the company to deliver precision manufacturing solutions and reliable customer service nationwide.Today, Mazak offers solutions for every vertical manufacturing industry, boasting more than 400 different high-precision machine tool models, Janka explains. “When I think of our collaborative partners, such as SMW, that's a key element to the success of Mazak and our ability to partner and collaborate to provide a complete solution,” he says.Mazaks Making MazaksDuring our tour, we saw the raw materials that form the base of every machine tool. We then watched as Mazak tools built more Mazak tools. I was truly engrossed as two enormous build tables moved and a large base casting took shape. Mazak doesn’t just build big; it builds big with pinpoint accuracy.RTWS crew tours Mazak.The tour continued with a look at how the “engine” of the machine tool — the spindle — is formed. A spindle that isn’t perfectly balanced will lead to a part that isn’t perfect, so there is absolutely no room for error — all the way down to micron-level tolerances.As a lifelong LEGO fan, our last stop in the shop was fascinating. It’s in this section that large pieces of specially cut sheet metal are shaped to form the machine’s housing. The custom puzzle pieces are carefully assembled, welded, and painted — all in-house. Mazak fully controls every aspect of machine manufacturing, and it’s all done right in Kentucky.Fifty years ago, Mazak bet big on the future of U.S. manufacturing. That bet paid off. Today, Mazak is Kentucky’s other thoroughbred. Don’t tell the horses.Watch all the Season 4 episodes at IMTS.com/RTWSS4 and check out Seasons 1-3 of “Road Trippin’ with Steve.”
“Road Trippin’ with Steve,” powered by SMW Autoblok, heads to Mazak’s Kentucky headquarters to explore its U.S. roots, manufacturing vision, and how its iconic machines are built.
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