As more business is conducted globally and production styles and processes have become diversified, the values which companies demand for their production equipment have also become more diversified and segmented. Furthermore, in recent years, all machine tool manufacturers have been actively developing innovative new technologies, boosted by the globally increased demand for machine tools. When we look at the trends in the machine tool industry, we see that multi-axis machines and 5-axis control machining centers have been integrated and more axes have been added to them, their spindles and feed mechanisms have been made faster, and the demand for high-quality micro-machining has increased to meet micron orders. Until recently, Mori Seiki had the N Series of high-performance, next-generation machine tools as our flagship machines, but now we need to add new values to this series in order to match the global expansion of the machine tool market. This is why the "Dura Series," which made both high reliability and superior cost performance a reality, was developed.

These two series’ machine concepts are clearly different: the N Series’ target is to extract the maximum performance from a machine tool, and the Dura Series’ target is to provide the best package of cost, performance and reliability. In this issue, we will introduce the latest information on each series.

A steady stream of new products with DCG™ and multi-axis machining functions have been added to the N Series.

The NV6000 DCG’s structure, which uses Driven at the Center of Gravity.

"Improve productivity by 30%" is the theme of the next-generation machine tools, the N Series. All the machines in this series have dramatically improved machine performance by adopting the unique technologies which are the embodiment of Mori Seiki’s engineering capabilities, such as Driven at the Center of Gravity technology, DD (Direct Drive) motors and the turret with a built-in milling motor™. Its product line-up has also been expanded, including the NV and NH vertical/horizontal machining centers, the NL CNC lathes, the NT integrated mill turn centers which combine the cutting ability of a machining center and the turning ability of a lathe, the NX compact machines for automotive parts production lines, and the NM 5-axis machining centers which have been added recently. The N Series now has become a core product of Mori Seiki’s machines.

As for our new products, the new vertical machining center NV6000 DCG, with a Y-axis travel of 600 mm (23.6 in.), has been added to the NV Series of vertical machining centers. The NH5000 DCG horizontal machining center with a 500 mm (19.7 in.) square pallet was also reborn with DCG™. We have also completed the development of the NMH6300 DCG 5-axis control horizontal machining center, which uses DCG™ on the linear axes and DD motors on the 2 rotary axes, as the first strategic product in the NM Series. In September we will release a vertical 5-axis machine as a second strategic product, to expand the multi-axis machine line-up.

The DuraTurn offers stable turning even during long-term operation.

Mori Seiki offers a new standard in machine tools, the Dura Series.

The Dura Series was released in June 2006 as Mori Seiki’s global strategy machine. Its product line-up consists of the DuraVertical vertical machining centers and the DuraTurn CNC lathes. The name "DURA" is short for Durable (it can be used for a long time), Universal (it can be used for a variety of purposes), Reliable (reduced downtime) and Affordable and Accurate (high accuracy at a reasonable price). Based on the know-how we have cultivated, both models were designed with absolutely no waste, shared parts throughout the series, revised specifications and newly developed units, satisfying customers with all the necessary functions at a reasonable price and in a shorter delivery time. Because of its simple design, there are few breakdowns, it can be used for many purposes and has high price competitiveness. The Dura Series will deliver new value in machine tools to you.

The N Series and the Dura Series. With these 2 brands, which have different directions, Mori Seiki can now respond to a wider range of customers’ needs. Mori Seiki will continue to create the new values which are essential for customers’ manufacturing through machine tools.