In November, XYZ Machine Tools invited members of the press and customers to an Open House event at its Nuneaton showroom to announce the arrival of the new XYZ TMC (Toolroom Machining Centre). The new TMC will be a highlight at the forthcoming Southern Manufacturing and Electronics 2023 show where XYZ has taken two stands at the exhibition (H260 and G260).
One stand will be dedicated to the brand-new TMC range of machining centres that incorporates the renowned ProtoTRAK control system on the four machines in the range. This builds upon the existing linear rail machines offered by XYZ.
“Our ProtoTRAK-controlled mills and lathes are a staple of many toolroom and low-volume environments, so the logical step was to add even greater versatility and options of progression for these users, with the development of the TMC range. Our success is built on that of our customers and, our machine tool development reflects the needs of customers to improve their machining performance in a controlled and efficient way,” says Nigel Atherton, Managing Director, XYZ Machine Tools.
The introduction of the RMX ProtoTRAK® control system will provide familiarity for existing users of XYZ Bed Mills. For engineers less familiar, the touchscreen interface and easy-to-use programming tools will demonstrate how the control is ideal for low to medium production. With a fully enclosed machining envelope and a 12 or 20 station automatic tool changer, the XYZ TMC is suitable for businesses aiming to increase productivity in low to medium volume environments. The four machines are based upon the proven three-axis linear rail vertical machining centre carcass and are available with 500, 750, 1000 and 1600mm X-axis variants. Equipped with fully enclosed guarding, all models have an 11kW spindle motor with 8000rpm and an optional 12,000rpm spindle.
The ProtoTRAK control provides a TRAKing feature that uses handwheel movement to prove the program whereby the faster the operator winds, the faster it machines. Stop or reverse the handwheel and the machine does the same. The TMC series is also fitted with a remote handwheel to move all axes. Furthermore, electronic handwheels are an option that enables users to use the machine like a bed mill, using the DRO facility for manual machining, while having the security of fully enclosed guarding. The RMX ProtoTRAK control also simplifies programming with the ability to program at the machine using its conversational programming software or offline programming with ProtoTRAK’s G-code compatibility for more complex 3D components.
The latest RX control (RMX for milling and RLX for turning) adds even more features, including Enhanced ProtoTRAK Assistance (EPA) that gives instant access to in-depth support during the programming/operating procedure. This feature addresses the change in skill sets whereby upcoming machinists may have lower levels of engineering/metal cutting experience but higher acceptance of computer technology. Adding to this, the Auto Geometry Engine (AGE) is a specific feature that is effectively a CAD capability within the control, allowing users to overcome issues when data is lacking from drawings. Touchscreen capability takes AGE a step further with its new ‘Tap to Guess’ feature that shows the part on-screen and allows users to tap the screen where the intersection or tangent point is unknown, automatically calculating the dimension data.
Complementing this is the Adaptive Toolpath feature. More commonly found on high-end CAD/CAM systems, the ‘look’ feature now runs alongside the inputs for program verification along with live updating of program events. This will also show a conventional toolpath and give the user estimated cycle times to ensure the most efficient method has been selected. The control also comes with the option of adding a DXF Converter that completely streamlines DXF file imports, eliminating the need for supplementary software. A further development is an ability to mix DXF and manual programming during program generation, giving the user total flexibility, facilitated by the touchscreen. The RMX ProtoTRAK control is also capable of handling Parasolid 3D model files, making the machining of more complex 3-dimensional parts straightforward.
“With over 15,000 ProtoTRAK controlled mills and lathes installed in the UK extending the use of this versatile, flexible and productivity enhancing control will be a relatively straightforward step for many toolroom, low-volume production environments. Throughout the past 1-2 years we have continued to innovate, and these new developments will bring ProtoTRAK and XYZ Machine Tools to a wider audience,” concludes Nigel Atherton.
