A powerful DXF file converter, that has automatic gap closing within the software to minimise the time spent converting the CAD file, will be shown alongside the latest CNC machine tools at MACH.
At long last the recession which has afflicted British machine tools appears to be lifting, but funding growth after a period of downturn can be difficult. At MACH 2004, XYZ will be demonstrating its comprehensive range of affordable machines which will provide greatly improved productivity and enable the user to better service existing contracts and take on additional ones. Demonstrated under power, the XYZ machines enable the user to improve productivity and profitability by offering easy set up, greater accuracy and competitive cycle times.

One of its most popular machines at the moment, the XYZ Mini-Mill, is capable of handling all typical machining jobs but requires only half the floor space.

With a tiny footprint of just 6ft2, the heavily ribbed XYZ Mini-Mill has a big working envelope and the largest Z axis of any of the small machining centres.

Travel in X is 560mm, 400mm in Y and 500mm in Z.

Rapid traverse is 25m/min.

Spindle speed is 8000rpm (1200 optional) and spindle taper BT40.

The tool carousel has 10 pockets; a 16 station arm-type toolchanger is optional.

Table load is 350kg.

Being introduced at this MACH are a new DXF file converter, a new 2.5D Edge, and a new XYZ200TC turning centre, which is an up-rated version of the XYZ150 turning centre and provides a larger capacity from a smaller footprint.

The powerful new DXF file converter, believed to be one of the simplest and easiest to use on the market today, is virtually a plug and play system and is the only system known to have automatic gap closing within the software to minimize the time spent converting the CAD file.

It offers a significant improvement in productivity because the simplicity of converting the CAD file into a machine program reduces set up time enormously.

An optional extra with any of the XYZ ProtoTRAK machines, the new DXF file converter uses intuitive plain English language, so simple prompts on the screen enable the operator to quickly and easily program the control.

The system converts CAD files into programs in a quick and easy process which can be learned, literally, in minutes.

The entire file can be viewed on screen and the operator selects which layers he wants to machine.

Also on show is the new 2.5D Edge.

Using plain English commands and intuitive programming it can be used easily by operators unfamiliar with CNC machines.

It retains handwheels to give the inexperienced operator confidence, essential for productivity in the early days of using any machine.

It provides all the features commonly used in an engineering shop without the additional, and often unnecessary, features which make other systems complicated or confusing to use.

The new 2.5D Edge will be fitted to a new Bed Mill, the Edge DPM 2.5, a 2.5 axis bed mill, Also being demonstrated are the ProtoTRAK mills and ProTURN lathes, proven over many years to dramatically improve productivity.

Offered in three milling versions, the entry level EDGE, the SM and VM (with spindle speed control), the VL is offered for lathes.

The system can accept CAD/CAM data from any recognised cam system and, with no limitation on memory capacity, it eliminates the need for DNC (drip feed).

The ProtoTRAK system has been designed for ease of use so even operators with no previous CNC experience can learn to use it in just a few hours.