TPT March 2024

INDUSTRY

NEO range and focus on automation boosts tube laser sales

into both OEMs and subcontractors, with particularly strong results in medical – a sector that requires exceptional accuracy and cut quality.” The strength of Mazak’s service offering for laser users has also driven market share, the company believes. Mr White added: “Mazak has invested in its service and support for customers, and we now have 25 applications staff ready to advise. We have also introduced our industry-first 24-hour service hotline for laser users, which is available even if the machine is not under warranty or a service contract. The hotline enables customers to speak with a UK-based engineer to get their machines back up and running at any time of the day.” Automation has also proved to be a successful selling point for Mazak, with the company now boasting the largest range of automation options available. Mr White said: “We have an

THE new NEO range of laser processing machines, and a strong focus on customer service, has helped Yamazaki Mazak record its most successful ever year for laser sales in 2023. The NEO range, which complements Mazak’s 2D laser and 3D tube cutting machines, has opened up new markets for the company within both OEMs and subcontractors. Ian White, general sales manager laser products for Yamazaki Mazak, said the NEO machines – including the Optiplex NEO 20kW, a 2D fiber laser with 3015 and 4220 bed sizes, and the FG 400 NEO fiber laser for long tubes, pipes and structural materials – have added new capability to the Mazak laser range. He added: “The NEO machines have helped us penetrate new markets, particularly where laser users are working with heavy plate – in the energy and construction sectors, for example. We’ve also recorded a good mix of sales

exceptionally large automation range with more than 50 options for customers due to our use of Mazak’s Open Robot Interface technology, which means virtually any automation system can be fitted to our machines. We can also design bespoke systems tailored to individual customer production requirements.” Mr White said the opening of the European Laser Technology Centre in Milan has also helped promote Mazak’s laser range and he is confident that 2024 will deliver more success. Mazak’s Optiplex 3015 NEO is one of several new laser processing machines that helped the company achieve a successful year

Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd www.mazakeu.co.uk

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MARCH 2024