XYZ simplicity aids advanced engineering

XYZ Machine Tools have supplied some of the UK’s leading manufacturers with machine tool technology. These customers cover the entire spectrum of what can be described as advanced manufacturing, including leading lights in formula one, aerospace, power generation, defence and electronics sector. Its success across all of these industries is down to its diverse range of machines and the ease of use and versatility that they provide. This will all be highlighted at Advanced Engineering (stand C1) on the 2nd and 3rd November at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

At Advanced Engineering XYZ will have on display a selection of machines to include its ever popular ProtoTRAK controlled lathes and mills, the innovative XYZ 2-OP portable vertical machining centre and the Siemens controlled XYZ CT52 turning centre and XYZ 710 VMC vertical machining centre. The machines exhibited with the class-leading ProtoTRAK control system are the XYZ SMX 3500 bed mill, XYZ SLX 355 lathe and the XYZ 2-OP vertical machining centre. ProtoTRAK is a highly versatile control system that belies its simplicity by being able to produce complex components, programmed in a very short space of time, without years of experience. Its intuitive conversational interface makes programming shapes and forms in either two or three axes straightforward. The speed at which it can be programmed makes a ProtoTRAK controlled machine ideal for one-off and prototype work, as well as ongoing small to medium size batch production. Beyond the control the XYZ bed mill and SLX lathe ranges provide a robust machining platform with solid Meehanite cast bases, Turcite-B coated bedways on the mills, and extra wide vee and flat bedways on the SLX lathes.

The XYZ 2-OP with its ProtoTRAK TMX control continues to revolutionise the way in which companies operate. This vertical machining centre has been designed to allow cellular manufacturing to take place anywhere in the factory thanks to its compact construction that allows the machine to be located wherever it is needed. The advantage of using the XYZ 2-OP for cellular manufacturing includes reduced cycle times, improved workflow, maximising available labour resources and freeing up more expensive machine tools from menial tasks such as pre-op, or 2nd op work. In spite of its portability the XYZ 2-OP has significant capability with axis travels of 355 mm by 305 mm by 455 mm (xyz), a table size of 457 mm x 381 mm, maximum table load of 250 kg, and rapid traverse of 15 m/min in all axes. Performance is enhanced by the use of a 3 hp (50 – 6000 revs/min) BT30 spindle that is supported by an eight-position toolchanger. All of this sits within a footprint of just 1220 mm by 760 mm.

For those looking at higher productivity machines, XYZ Machine Tools will display an XYZ 710 VMC vertical machining centre and an XYZ Compact Turn 52 turning centre. Across the XYZ VMC range there is a common feature of high quality manufacture, with features such as solid Meehanite castings and extra wide induction hardened box slideways with Turcite-B coatings adding to rigidity and performance. Standard specification of the VMC range includes an 8000 revs/min 20 hp spindle, 24 position arm-type automatic toolchanger, with the machine having feedrates up to 20 m/min in all axes.

The Compact Turn 52 may be the smallest turning centre in the extensive range of CNC turning available from XYZ Machine Tools, with a footprint of just 1700 mm by 1450 mm in its standard form. However, it still provides a powerful machining platform thanks to its 5000 revs/min/20 hp spindle and axis travels of 185 mmm and 325 mm (X and Z), with rapid traverse rates of 20 m/min. Like all of the machines in the XYZ range, these turning centres benefit from a highly rigid and stable construction, with hardened and ground box slideways and solid meehanite castings for the major components.