CNC West Dec jan 2019

66 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST December 2018/January 2019 Industry News Mazak Advances Hybrid Technology with MegaStir Acquisition Mazak Corporation has announced its acquisition of MegaStir, a supplier of friction stir welding (FSW) tools and technology located in Provo, Utah. With the acquisition, Mazak continues to expand and build upon its Hybrid Multi-Tasking Machine Technology. The newMazak MegaStir will provide further system advancements and evolve into an FSW technology center. A resident FSW machine in Provo as well as in other Mazak Technology Centers will provide customers the potential for real manufacturing solu- tions in a Done in One capacity. Mazak first collaborated with MegaStir on the development of the Mazak VTC-800 FSW vertical 5 axis machining center and they recently introduced theMazakVTC-300C FSW at the IMTS show in Chicago. The FSWpackage adds friction stir welding capability to the spindle via a unique tool holder and includes closed-loop FSW process control as well as FSW programming software. Dale Fleck will head up operations as the general manager of the new Mazak MegaStir. FSW is a solid-sate joining process that uses frictional heat and forging pressure to create full-penetration, defect-free welded joints with greater strength than conventional welding methods. The process utilizes a non- consumable tool to join two metal plates without melting the workpiece. Commonly considered a forging process, FSW is well-suited for join- ing alloys with low melting points, including aluminum, copper and brass, among others. Sixth Annual NTMA Southwest Conference Feb. 8-10 Seven chapters fromTexas to Cali- fornia will participate in the industry regional conference to be held Febru- ary 8-10 at the Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa in Orange County, CA. The industry education will feature state