Mori Seiki Opens New American Headquarters

The Grand Opening of Mori Seiki’s new American headquarters concluded on November 5, 2009 with resounding success. During the four days of the event, more than 2,200 visits were made to the new, state-of-the art facility.

The event opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was attended by honored guests and dignitaries Dr. Masahiko Mori, Mr. George Hiseada, consul general for Japan, and Mr. William McLeod, mayor of Hoffman Estates. Following the ribbon cutting, the showroom was opened to the employees and guests for a reception.

The following three days focused on machining demonstrations, seminars and tours of the facility including Mori Seiki University. A highlight of the tour was Mori Seiki University’s Learning Lab. This room houses three of MSU’s seven machines dedicated for training, including NL2500, DuraTurn2550, and the multi-axis NZ2000T3Y3. The Lab is an ideal environment for hands-on learning. The space is adjacent to classrooms and separate from the showroom to minimize distractions. Work tables accommodate entire subassemblies so students can learn important points for maintenance.

The new showroom, quality control room and workroom comprise 40,000 square feet, or roughly 40% of the facility. During the Grand Opening, there were 23 machines under power with cutting demonstrations, and two skeleton models to demonstrate design features of the NMV and NT Series. Five new models were introduced at this event, including the NMV1500DCG, NMV3000DCG, NT1000, NV7000 and NVL1350T.

The smallest machine in the five-axis VMC series, NMV1500DCG, showed high-speed machining of a 2" automotive turbo impeller. The short cycle time was achieved with a 60,000 rpm spindle and a high-speed rotary table. The Direct Drive Rotary Table enables turning operations on a VMC.

The second new release in the five-axis VMC category is NMV3000DCG. It was shown with an optional 34-pallet work piece changer for parts up to 11.8" high, and 13.8" in diameter. The NMV3000DCG showed titanium machining for the medical industry with a bone implant demonstration.

NT1000, the smallest machine in Mori Seiki’s mill/turn lineup, took a different approach to medical component manufacturing. Two parts of a titanium implant were machined as a set, in one set up. The NT1000 is equipped with a 20,000rpm spindle and also has built-in CAM for 5-axis programming.

The NV7000 is an economical VMC with a large axis travel and 67" x 30" table. Built for heaving cutting, features of the NV7000 include a high-horsepower, 50-taper spindle and guideways that are nearly two-and-a-half times larger than conventional machines.

Finally, the new NVL1350T vertical-turret lathe marks Mori Seiki’s entry into this machine category. This precision VTL is designed to support the heavy loads and large-diameter disks found in construction, aircraft, ship and large bearing applications.

More than 20Mori Seiki Qualified Peripheral (MSQP) suppliers supported the Grand Opening by demonstrating tooling, workholding, accessories and other services to provide complete manufacturing solutions. The MSQP program identifies suppliers and products that meet Mori Seiki standards of performance. These products comply with the Mori Seiki standard two-year new machine warranty.

Mori Seiki also introduced the newest version of the company’s CNC software, MAPPS IV. The latest release is designed to support more diversified and complicated workpiece production with built-in CAM software and post-processor for 5-axis programming. Optional in-machine cameras, integrated 3D machine models, more tool data, and built-in troubleshooting functions are all new features of MAPPS IV.

During the Grand Opening, 19 different seminar topics were presented in the 100-seat auditorium. The schedule was packed with guest speakers from the automotive, medical and energy industries sharing strategies for success. On Wednesday, a senior economist from the Chicago Federal Reserve presented a regional outlook for manufacturing in the Midwest. Mori Seiki’s VP of Engineering, Greg Hyatt, shared an overview of the newest technology in development at Mori Seiki, and a sneak preview of products for future release. Each day concluded with door prize drawings, MSQP partner awards, and a reception in the showroom and adjacent auditorium.

Manufacturers who were unable to attend the Grand Opening should mark their calendars for Mori Seiki’s next big event, Innovation Days, planned for the second week of May 2010.

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