XYZ Machine Tools of Devon, England, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Industries, has received the MWP 2012 Advanced Manufacturing Award in the “Best Entry Level Machine Installation” category for a TRAK LPM machining center installation in Kent, England.
The “Best Entry Level Machine Installation” category recognizes supply and effective application of lower-cost, user-friendly CNC equipment. Award contestants are judged upon the following criteria: type and range of work enabled by the installation, installation support and operator training, productivity enhancement through improved manufacturing methods, contribution to cost reduction, greater reliability or reduced maintenance requirements, sustainability and energy/raw material efficiency, contribution to a safer workplace, value for money, and fitness for purpose
The TRAK LPM installed in Kent was the first ProtoTRAK CNC-equipped model to be fitted with an automatic tool changer (16-station). The exclusive ProtoTRAK system does not require the operator to have G code knowledge as programming, either at the machine or off-line, is one of a number of features that differentiate this new machining system from a standard vertical machining center. Another significant feature is the integral Jergens Ball Lock system machined into its table, which provides a highly repeatable and accurate work holding mechanism that speeds setting-up of the machine and provides efficiencies in prototype and small batch production.
No matter which fixture plate is loaded onto the table for a second time, the operator will know exactly where the datum of the part, or parts, is relative to one or other of three primary Ball Locks built into the table. So, once the initial set-up has been completed and the dimensional accuracy of the machined part confirmed, it can be repeated at any time with the LPM ready to go within a few minutes rather than hours. This is because when a program is saved, the ProtoTRAK PMX control not only saves the process information (and any program notes) but also the datum positioning data.