XYZ Machine Tools has a long-standing reputation of helping its customers grow and develop, with its range of machines from manual mills and lathes through to five-axis machining centres facilitating this. It is no surprise then that the latest addition to the range, the XYZ TMC. Targeting the toolroom environment the XYZ TMC (Toolroom Machining Centre) brings the added versatility of a toolchange system, while maintaining the familiarity of the latest version of the popular ProtoTRAK control system.
The use of the RMX ProtoTRAK® control system will provide a high level of familiarity for exiting users of XYZ Bed Mills and, for those not familiar its touchscreen interface and many easy-to-use programming tools make the control ideal for low to medium production. Combining that with a fully enclosed machining envelope and either a 12 or 20 station automatic toolchanger make the XYZ TMC the perfect machine for businesses to step up productivity in their low to medium volume activities.
The XYZ TMC range comprises of four machines, all of which are based on its existing three-axis linear rail vertical machining centre carcass. The TMC machines are available as 500, 750, 1000 and 1600 variants, with the number referencing the machine’s X-axis travel. Equipped with fully enclosed guarding, 20 station toolchanger (12 station on the XYZ 500 TMC) all models have a 15 hp (11 kW) spindle power with 8000 revs/min (12,000 revs/min available as an option, the TMC series will take toolroom machining to the next level with volume batch work well within its capabilities.
The use of the ProtoTRAK control brings many advantages, which will be appreciated by existing ProtoTRAK users, such as the TRAKing® feature, which uses handwheel movement to prove the program. The faster you wind the faster it machines. Stop or reverse the handwheel and the machine does the same. Again, for those familiar with XYZ Machine Tools’ ProtoTRAK bed mills the TMC series machines are fitted as standard with a remote handwheel to move all axes.
Electronic handwheels that can slide to the front of the vision panel are optional. With this option users can work the machine as if it were a bed mill, using the DRO facility for manual machining, while having the security of the fully enclosed guarding to keep swarf and coolant within the machining environment.
The RMX ProtoTRAK control also simplifies programming to deliver maximum efficiency, with users having the option of programming at the machine using its conversational programming software or, using offline programming making use of ProtoTRAK’s G-code compatibility for more complex 3D components. While retaining many features that made ProtoTRAK the success it is, the latest RX (RMX for milling, RLX for turning) version adds even more features, including Enhanced ProtoTRAK Assistance (EPA), giving instant access to in-depth help at any point in the programming/operating procedure. A feature that addresses the change in skill sets that businesses are facing, where traditional mechanical skills with limited technology knowledge are being reversed, with the next generation having possibly lower levels of engineering/metalcutting experience, but higher acceptance of computer technology.
Auto Geometry Engine (AGE) is also a specific feature of the ProtoTRAK RMX control. AGE is effectively a CAD capability within the control allowing users to overcome issues when data is lacking from drawings by automatically calculating missing dimensions during programming. Touchscreen capability takes AGE to a new level, with the new Tap to Guess feature. With the part shown on-screen, simply tapping the screen where the intersection or tangent point is unknown, the AGE software calculates the dimension data. AGE can be used in both profiles and pockets and is capable of machining pockets with an unlimited number of islands located inside their boundaries.
The Adaptive Toolpath feature can drastically reduce cycle times on complex milling cycles, a feature more commonly found on high-end CAD/CAM systems. The ‘look’ feature now runs alongside the program inputs for program verification along with live updating of program events, it will also show a conventional toolpath and give the user estimated cycle times to ensure the most efficient method has been selected. For the ultimate program check a solid 3D rendered image can be shown using the verify feature.
The control also comes with the option of adding a DXF Converter which benefits from the touchscreen technology to deliver substantial advantages, as importing a DXF file is completely streamlined, eliminating the need for supplementary software and the requirement for a mouse to be connected. A further development is the ability to mix DXF and manual programming during program generation, giving the user total flexibility, all of which is 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, more so with the use of the touchscreen to manipulate parts during programming.
“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,” says Nigel Atherton, Managing Director, XYZ Machine Tools. “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.”
