Mazak VARIAXIS i-800 NEO

The Mazak VARIAXIS i-800 NEO is a trunnion-table simultaneous 5-axis machining center with a 50-taper spindle, aimed at parts that are both large and difficult to cut. The table measures Φ800 mm × 630 mm and accepts workpieces to Φ1000 mm × 415 mm at up to 1000 kg (2205 lbs). That puts it in the class where a single casting or forging fills the machine and the entire job is completed in one clamping.

The spindle is BT50 at 10000 rpm, rated 37 kW (50 HP) peak and 30 kW (40 HP) continuous, with 350 N·m (258 ft-lbs) peak and 239 N·m (176 ft-lbs) continuous torque. The continuous numbers are the ones to plan cuts around: 239 N·m sustained supports real depth-of-cut roughing in titanium and steel, and the 10000 rpm ceiling confirms the machine was built for that rather than for high-rpm aluminum finishing.

Travels are 750 mm (30 in) in X, 890 mm (35 in) in Y and 600 mm (24 in) in Z, with the spindle nose sitting between 190 mm and 790 mm above the table when it lies horizontal. Y being longer than X is characteristic of this platform and lets the head cross a Φ1000 mm part without the table repositioning mid-feature. The A-axis tilts from -120° to +30°, so the trunnion can roll a face well past vertical and present undercut geometry directly to the tool.

Tooling is the practical limit on a machine with this much power behind it. The 30-pocket magazine takes tools to Φ125 mm, Φ210 mm with the adjacent pocket empty, 415 mm long and 20 kg, so heavy shell mills and long reach tools fit. But 30 pockets fills quickly on a part that roughs and finishes in a single setup, and on unattended runs there is little room left for duplicate tooling, which makes tool life planning a real constraint rather than an afterthought.

At 18080 kg (39859 lbs) on a 2695 × 4890 mm footprint and 3497 mm (138 in) tall, the i-800 NEO needs both floor depth and ceiling height. It suits aerospace structures, energy components and mold and die shops cutting large, difficult material complete in one setup.