Preparing for EMO

Taking centre stage on stand A10 in Hall 27 will be the latest versions of XYZ's ProtoTRAK mills and ProTURN lathes, the RMX 3500 and RLX 425. These machines feature the latest generation of the ProtoTRAK control, the RX.

Central to the new control is its 15.6in touchscreen that puts more machining information at the users’ fingertips. Combining the touchscreen with DXF capability removes any requirement for a mouse to interact with editing of programs. The touchscreen also adds the familiar actions of pinch to zoom, twist to rotate making it more intuitive and allowing closer inspection of the part program prior to machining. The new control will be demonstrated live on the stand to highlight its ease-of-use and time saving benefits.

A third ProtoTRAK controlled machine, the XZ 2-OP will also be exhibited. This vertical machining centre is designed to be portable, allowing it to be relocated anywhere in the factory. This mobility provides customers with the opportunity to create manufacturing cells and free-up valuable spindle time on more expensive machine tools and maximise spindle up time. The XYZ 2-OP features a footprint of just 775 (wide) x 1380 (deep) x 2520mm (high) and can be moved using a conventional pallet truck.

For such a compact machine it remains highly capable with axis travels of 355 x 305 x 455mm (XYZ) and a table size of 457 x 381mm. An eight station toolchanger is supported by a 3hp 6000 revs/min BT 30 spindle. Put simply, the XYZ 2-OP increases productivity at a relatively low annual cost.

From its turning and machining centre ranges XYZ Machine Tools will show the CT65 Compact Turn lathe and 750 LR machining centre. These machines are controlled by the Siemens 828D control, with the CT 65 having the ShopTurn software activated as standard (ShopMill is an option on the 750 LR). The ease-of-use of the conversational programming system on these controls have made them a favourite among many sub-contract machinists. The XYZ CT 65 features a 65mm bar capacity through the spindle and a capability to swing up to 400mm diameter with a maximum turned diameter of 220mm and maximum turned length of 260mm. Tools are held in a 12-position Sauter ‘German’ 30 VDI turret and power is provided by a 23HP / 17kW, 4500 revs/min spindle. Construction is in the form of a solid Meehanite ribbed cast base combined with hardened and ground box slideways for maximum rigidity and performance.

The final machine on show at EMO is the XYZ 750 LR vertical machining centre. The LR range of machines make use of the latest linear rail technology for axis travels. These machines sit alongside and complement the heavy-duty range of box slideway machines. The use of linear rail technology maximises the improvements in digital motion technology and opens opportunities for companies to take a lower cost route to full machining centre useage.

The LR machines feature the same solid cast construction as the heavy-duty machines HD machines, which have all undergone Finite Element Analysis to ensure maximum rigidity. The XYZ 750 LR is the mid-range machine and benefits from axis travels of 750 x 440 x 500mm (xyz) with a table measuring 830 x 410mm. Feedrates up to 20m/min are possible, supported by a BT40 18hp/13kW spindle. A 20 position carousel (arm-type option) provides a toolchange time of 2.5 seconds tool-to-tool.

“EMO is a fantastic opportunity for XYZ Machine Tools to build on its already strong market presence across mainland Europe and with the new ProtoTRAK control expand the user base for these machines. As a company we are experiencing strong sales growth across Europe, which has been helped by a very active and growing network of distributors. EMO will also provide opportunities to further develop that network of distributors and expand our sales into more countries,” says Howard Bamforth, XYZ Machine Tools' export sales director.