CNC Made Easy with XYZ ProtoTRAK Control System
Control systems are amongst the biggest buzz word in the manufacturing industry for a decade and the popularity of the software continues to increase. Leading the digital trend and ushering in a new dawn of control, XYZ ProtoTRAK software continues to be the choice system here in the UK; the firmâs pioneering technology is now in use on over 15,000 machines across the country. ProtoTRAK control system software has been used exclusive by XYZ Machine Tools since the 1993. And despite being over 10 years old, the technology is as pioneering and valuable as its ever been â pushing XYZ Machine Tools CNC milling and turning tools to the top of the market. Design-engineered so as to be flexible to one-off, prototype and small batch production, ProtoTRAK continues to improve ease-of-use on 2- or 3-axis mills, and 2-axis lathes. The control technology provides a simple interface from which operatives can select operations quickly and easily. Whilst some control system models have proven counter-intuitive to use, even slowing down lead times, XYZâs machines have been complimented by the technology following collaboration between the two developers. Both the machine and control software have identical desktop units, meaning operatives only have be conversant in one interface and are, moreover, provided the opportunity to monitor machining performance remotely. Despite a now-pronounced identity within the sector, it was a long road before the XYZ ProtoTRAK machines became best practice in the industry. With a slow start to sales in the UK for the first three month, the firm went on to sell 400 unit in less than the nine months following. Nigel Atherton Managing Director of XYZ Machine Tool stressed attributed such a correlation to clients needing to see it in action before they believed it: Once customers saw the ease of use and potential of the ProtoTRAK control, we were almost guaranteed a sale, he commented. In fact, the hit-rate for customers viewing a presentation remains consistently high and over 80% of those witnessing one of the firmâs many demonstrations go on to purchase a machine. And having significantly improved the way in which control systems and CNC machines work in harmony, XYZ Machine Tools looks set to lead the movement to leaner and more intelligent future of manufacturing.
Janspeed Gets Kitted Out for Performance Exhaust Manufacture
Janspeed, a leader in the manufacture of bespoke and performance exhaust systems since 1962, has made significant investment in its tooling capacity and, with it, increased its tube-bending capabilities considerably. The Salisbury-based company has procured another Elect 80 all-electric CNC machine from follow UK business, BLM Group UK. It follows the procurement of the first as part of a major investment programme, a milestone in this Tier 1 supplierâs history. The expert manufacturer regularly works with the amongst the biggest and most well-known OEMs in the automotive sector and therefore deems being at the cutting-edge of great importance. The CNC machine is said to be at the forefront of performance exhaust manufacture and is the next stage in Janspeedâs ambition to replace all current hydraulic bending machines. In distinction to hydraulic bending machines, the Elect 80 all-electric CNC machines do not necessitate the same skill level from operatives and, in many respects, operate autonomously. It combines fully electric operation and touch-screen control thus doing away with operational difficulties associated with the use of hydraulic oil. Primarily however, the Elect 80s provide greater energy efficiencies while remaining high-powered and high-functioning â even allowing operatives the additional opportunity to do simulate jobs using the control while the machine bends parts. The simulation capacity is able to deliver a precise cycle time. Invaluable for quotation purposes, it allows Janspeed to optimise programmes of work prior to the commencement of production. The touch-screen control meanwhile parameters and measurements to be set easily and effectively. Accuracy of course remains crucial and, with the use of absolute encoder, the CNC machines not only better precisions bending of previous models but significant reduce maintenance costs. Janspeedâs two machines extend its tooling capacity to the reach of stainless steel at various length and up to a diameter of 80mm (beyond the capability of the hydraulic bending machine range). With nine axes of movement and the potential to have up to eight tools in the multi-stack systems, one cycle can complete bends of various sizes on the same tube. That makes possible compounds bends as well as highly complex tube designs.
