The FT-250 takes Mazak to the heart of the market: a conversation with Gaetano Lo Guzzo

Tube 2026 in Düsseldorf has just wrapped up with strong numbers — over 1,100 exhibitors, visitors from around the world — and Mazak was there with a clear message: tube laser cutting is not a niche, but a segment the company continues to invest in with determination. Representing that commitment at the show was the FT-250, the latest addition to the lineup. We spoke with Gaetano Lo Guzzo, Director Laser Business Europe at Mazak.

Let's start with your overall assessment. How did Tube 2026 go for Mazak?

Very well — the quality of contacts was higher than in 2024. The FT-250, which we presented and exhibited in Düsseldorf, enters a high-demand segment — medium-sized tubes and profiles — and meets the need to perform multiple operations in a single cycle. Key end markets include metal furniture, agricultural machinery, and packaging, but we're also seeing significant growth from logistics and data centers. On top of that, more and more steel service centers and distributors are equipping themselves to offer processed tube as a service.

What does the FT-250 represent within Mazak's tube cutting lineup?

Previously, the lineup was focused primarily on large diameters. With the FT-250 — which handles round tubes from 20 to 254 mm in diameter and structural profiles up to 203 mm per side — Mazak now covers the highest-density segment of the market: this range is estimated to account for 75–80% of actual demand. With four models currently available for tube cutting, we cover a very broad range of applications — and we plan to expand our offering further.

From a technical standpoint, what sets the FT-250 apart?

The machine is equipped with Mazak's SmoothCut 6000 laser source, delivering 6 kW of power. The 3D laser head enables high-speed cutting through simultaneous control of the U-axis and X-axis — moving the entire workpiece would introduce significant inertia and longer cycle times, whereas the translating U-axis maintains high speeds without sacrificing precision. The same head allows bevel cuts up to 45°. We've also integrated horizontal and vertical workpiece supports that hold the material — including short remnant pieces — during processing and compensate for deflection: this is a feature that comes directly from our machine tool expertise.

You've placed a lot of emphasis on integrated processing. What does that mean in practice for the customer?

The FT-250 can be configured with a rotary-tool spindle unit capable of storing up to 13 tools, which adds mechanical operations to the laser capability: drilling, tapping up to M16 and M20 in mild steel, thermal drilling, chamfering, and marking. Unlike laser marking, mechanically produced marks have a depth that survives subsequent painting. The customer gets a finished, clean part in a single setup, with no intermediate handling.

And with increasingly precise joints, which brings additional benefits.

The tight fits enabled by modern laser machines like the FT-250 make it possible to reduce or eliminate welding fixtures, making subassemblies in some cases self-jigging. And when joint precision is high, wall thickness can also be reduced. Given the growing difficulty of finding qualified welders, a workflow that simplifies the welding stage has real added value for the end customer.

Let's talk about the CNC system and remote management.

The machine features Mazak's SmoothTUBE CNC system with dual 21.5-inch touchscreens. The upper monitor displays machine status and a graphical menu for quick access to operational functions; the lower one handles production scheduling and process settings. When needed, programming can be adjusted directly at the machine, without going through the engineering office. Programming is handled by Tube DX, a 3D CAD/CAM software dedicated to tube cutting that integrates seamlessly with the CNC. On the connectivity side, Mazak offers iConnect, a real-time remote monitoring platform for machine status at the customer's facility. Certain non-physical anomalies — configuration or parameter-related issues — can be diagnosed and corrected remotely, significantly reducing downtime.

How is the loading and unloading system structured?

The bundle loader comes standard on the FT-250, with a total capacity of 5,000 kg. The standard configuration accepts bars up to 6.5 meters; 8- and 12-meter options are available. For open profiles — angle bars, I-beams, H-beams — or for mixed-batch and urgent production runs, a V-support conveyor loader is available as an option, allowing different materials to be fed simultaneously. On the unloading side, the machine includes a sorting unloader with a flame-retardant resin surface — softer than metal — to prevent damage to finished parts. A robot for automatic palletizing of cut components can also be added.

The show is over — what's next on your calendar?

A series of events at our facility in Cerro Maggiore, Italy: the Tube Technology Days, four sessions dedicated exclusively to tube processing, on June 4, 11, 17, and 25. The format is different from a traditional open house: each day includes a seminar component — CNC programming, application sectors, integrated processes, Industry 4.0, and remote monitoring — followed by live demonstrations on the machines on the floor. It's not often that you have two tube machines running simultaneously, with different characteristics and complementary applications: the FT-250 and the FG-400 NEO. In total, the technology center will host four machines, including those for sheet metal processing. It's a concrete opportunity to see the machines in action and talk directly with our technicians — we encourage anyone interested in learning more to contact us and book their preferred date.