Burlescombe-based XYZ Machine Tools (www.xyzmachinetools.com) has extended its turning range with the addition of the
ProTurn RLX 780 — a gap-bed lathe with 3m between centres, a swing of 780mm and the latest ProtoTrak control.

XYZ’s XL series of lathes was previously restricted to the use of the Siemens 828D ShopTurn control system, but after developments in drive technology, the first of these large-capacity lathes can now be ‘married’ with the ProtoTrak control, opening up opportunities for existing ProtoTrak customers who, in the past, may have resisted using a Siemens control.

Nigel Atherton, managing director of XYZ, said: “The ProTurn RLX 780 is the first of our large-capacity lathes to be given the option of the ProtoTrak control, but it won’t be the last.

"With the development of the Delta drives and motors, they are now fully compatible with ProtoTrak and will allow us to scale up the range of machines available, making a very attractive proposition for existing ProtoTrak users.

"With the option of an eight-station turret along with the ProtoTrak control, the RLX 780 is now a serious — and cost-effective — competitor for any large-capacity turning centre.”

The ProTurn RLX 780 shares all the attributes of its sister machine — the XL 780 — including a 160mm-diameter spindle bore and a 32kW spindle driven via a gearbox providing two speed ranges between 20 and 1,300rev/min.

A 500mm-diameter three-jaw chuck and a four-station auto-indexing turret are also standard equipment.

The machine base and headstock remain as substantial and ribbed cast-iron structures, with the major change being the ProtoTrak control with its 15.6in touch-screen enhancing the already easy-to-use programming capabilities; these allow users to go from drawing to finished component even quicker than was previously possible.

ProtoTrak users can generate complex programs either directly at the control (using its intuitive conversational programming) or off-line (using G-code generated by CAM systems or DXF and Parasolid converter software).

Mr Atherton says this combination “delivers the ultimate control for producing one-off and low-volume parts typically machined on large-capacity lathes.”