Hi-Tech Machine Tools, a staple in the South African machine tool and related equipment supply chain recently held an in-house exhibition at its Modderfontein showroom and offices.
The event was held over two days from 12 – 13 May 2026 and invited new and existing customers to the Hi-Tech Machine Tools showroom to experience and interact with machine tools and their various peripheral components such as tooling solutions, workholding solutions, fluid solutions, recycling solutions and software solutions.
Hi-Tech Machine Tools’ technicians and engineers were on hand to answer any questions and provide relevant technical information about Hi-Tech Machine Tools’ extensive product range.
Official launch of the Mazak VC-Ez vertical machining center range
Hi-Tech Machine Tools used the in-house exhibition to officially showcase and launch one of Mazak’s latest market offerings – the Mazak VC-Ez range of vertical machining centers. Hi-Tech Machine Tools are the sole distributors for Mazak in South Africa.
Hi-Tech Machine Tools used the in-house exhibition to officially showcase and launch one of Mazak’s latest market offerings, Mazak’s VC-Ez range of vertical machining centers. The Mazak VC-Ez 510 IP. It has a table size of 1250mm x 492mm and can handle a maximum workpiece size of 1 250mm x 492mm x 570mm. The machine comes standard with a 24 tool automatic tool changer and has XYZ travels of 1 050mm x 510mm x 635mm
The range includes three models, namely the Mazak VC-Ez 410 IP, VC-Ez 510 IP, and VC-Ez 610 IP models, and they are highly versatile, heavy-duty 3-axis vertical machining centers designed for high-precision, multi-material part production. Equipped with a 12 000rpm spindle and a BT40 tool shank, the machines have found demand in industries like aerospace, medical, automotive, mould and die, heavy industry as well as the semiconductor industry.
The Mazak VC-Ez range of vertical machining centers are built for high productivity, precision, and ease of use with the Mazatrol SmoothEz control touchscreen, suitable for powerful cutting of steel materials and machining that use small-diameter materials such as aluminium workpieces.
Positioned as entry level machines for Mazak users that still expect the precision manufacturing qualities Mazak machine tools have built their reputation on for more than a century, the Mazak VC-Ez range is manufactured in India by Yamazaki Mazak India Private Ltd., located in Pune district, Maharashtra, India.
Anil Bhardwaj, Managing Director, Yamazaki Mazak India Private Ltd., recently announced that the company has produced more than 1 000 Mazak VC-Ez machines in India since it started its production in 2023.
“Mazak is a global brand and being a Japanese company, we have very strict parameters when it comes to manufacturing machines. We have more than 300 inspection points throughout the manufacturing process of the machines. So the manufacturing process is very strict – our Production Director and our Quality Director are Japanese and they do not allow for deviation of even one micron when it comes to the manufacturing and quality inspection process.”
In South Africa for the launch of the Mazak VC-Ez range was Yamazaki Mazak India Private Ltd.’s Deputy Managing Director Makoto Hasuo.
All VC-Ez Series machines have C-frame designs with X and Y axis motion via moving the table and saddle. For rigidity and repeatable part precision, guideway systems use Mazak’s Hybrid MX linear roller guide systems, and dual lagged pre-tensioned ball screws ensure precise axis movement. Ball screw core cooling is optional and allows for temperature-controlled cooling oil to circulate through the ball screw cores to ensure stable machining accuracy over extended periods of high-speed operation.
The spindle is equipped with a ceramic ball bearing, which is lightweight and has low thermal expansion, so high-precision machining with low heat generation is possible.
Hi-Tech Machine Tools showcased the VC-Ez 510 IP during the in-house exhibition. The VC-Ez 510 IP has a table size of 1250mm x 492mm and can handle a maximum workpiece size of 1 250mm x 492mm x 570mm. The machine comes standard with a 24 tool automatic tool changer and has XYZ travels of 1 050mm x 510mm x 635mm.
For increased maintenance free operation, the auger-type chip removal systems provide an economical solution.
Chris Killian, Sales Director, Hi-Tech Machine Tools, Corinne Killian, Peter Killian, owner and Managing Director of Hi-Tech Machine Tools and Yamazaki Mazak India Private Ltd.’s Deputy Managing Director Makoto Hasuo
Mazak supplies all its Ez Series machines with its Mazak Mazatrol SmoothEz CNC for ease of use and programming. Equipped with “Quick Mazatrol”, an improved version of Mazatrol programming, programmes can be made intuitively with the 15” touch screen while checking the workpiece shape and work process. If combined with the SmoothCAM Ai software (separately sold), machines on your shop floor can be replicated on your office PC, allowing digital setup of your machine to improve operational efficiency.
The VC-Ez range is compatible with Mazak’s Ez Loader and other standard and customised automation solutions designed to enhance employee skills. The Ez Loader is a stand-alone, plug-and-play cobot that uses a pallet, programmable logic controller and all necessary equipment for machine integration.
“On 12 and 13 May 2026 we invited our Mazak users to the launch of the new Mazak VC-Ez 510 IP vertical machining center range. Many good friends and customers arrived at our showroom and were very happy to see the normal high performance metal removal rate of these machines,” said Peter Killian, owner and Managing Director of Hi-Tech Machine Tools.
“We had many good comments about the specification of these machines, which included chip conveyor and bucket and through-spindle coolant with 15bar pressure, making this feature idea for u-drilling large diameters, as well as high volume chip removal caused by heavy milling.”
“Other features that caught the viewers’ attention was the Auto Tool Length Measure and Break Detection, Handheld Coolant Gun, Renishaw Optical Probe OMP-60, as well as the Kitagawa MR200R NC Table,” continued Killian.
“We specially machined a large steel billet so that heavy duty metal removal could be witnessed and appreciated by all.”
“Another great feature that drew a lot of attention was the Smooth Synchronised Tapping function which allows tapping to be done without a “floating holder”, meaning that a normal endmill holder can be used to tap while also allowing the tap to thread right down a blind hole to its bottom.”
“In addition, the Tap Retract Function was ready to ensure that taps did not get stuck, and if they did get stuck, the Retract Function could easily do the job.”
Hi-Tech Machine Tools’ Quinton Grobler, Chris Killian and Peter Killian with Schunk’s Global Distributor Management head, Victor Vashpanov
“Apart from the high-performance metal removal display, our visitors had plenty of time to chat with Mr Makoto Hasuo who visited us from the Mazak India Factory. He spent time with customers who had specific questions about the Mazak VC-Ez 510 IP VMC and Mazatrol features on these machines which are available in the new Mazatrol Smooth EZ CNC, and we received many compliments from existing Mazak users regarding these new machines.”
“Many customers also emphasised the fact that the Mazatrol controls accept either Mazatrol programmes or EIA/ISO CAD/CAM programmes or a part programme that contains Mazatrol and EIA/ISO data,” concluded Killian.
Turnkey shop floor solutions
Correspondingly on display at the event were all of Hi-Tech Machine tools’ other turnkey shop floor solutions including hyperMILL CAM software, Schunk’s precision work- and toolholding solutions, Albrecht’s toolholder solutions, Hofmann & Vratny’s cutting tool solutions, Freddy coolant recycling solutions, 5th Axis’s workholding systems and Blaser Swisslube’s high-performance metalworking fluids.
Also in attendance and available to interact with customers was Schunk’s Global Distributor Management head, Victor Vashpanov.
Founded in 1990 by Peter Killian, Hi-Tech Machine Tools hold sole distributor and exclusive agency agreements for some of the most prestigious machine tool and related equipment brands in the world including Mazak, Schunk, Freddy, 5th Axis, Albrecht, Blaser Swisslube, hyperMILL and Hofmann & Vratny.
For further details contact Hi-Tech Machine Tools on TEL: 011 608 0088 or visit www.hitech.co.za
