With the arrival of the new RLX ProtoTRAK control, XYZ Machine Tools was able to offer large capacity turning with the ease of use of ProtoTRAK with its heavy-duty RLX 780 lathe. The machine, with its 3,000 mm between centre distance and 780 mm swing over the bed, has proved popular with customers from a range of industries, such as rail, oil & gas and general subcontract. The new options build on this.
The first option, which will appeal particularly to the oil & gas sector, is the availability of a 180 mm spindle bore (160 mm standard). This larger bore diameter makes the machine ideal for turning 6” API pipe, which has a standard 168 mm outside diameter. For customers not familiar with the benefits of ProtoTRAK, XYZ Machine Tools has added the option of a Siemens 828D ShopTurn control. Customers specifying this control option will also benefit from an eight-station turret with live tooling using a 30 VDI connection.
“The RLX 780 has exceeded all of our sales forecasts, which we made prior to Covid-19. It has proved extremely popular across industry sectors where large capacity mixed with flexibility is required. These latest updates and options will extend its appeal as a cost-effective solution to turning large, long components, but with the flexibility to machine smaller parts when required,” says Nigel Atherton, managing director, XYZ Machine Tools.
The standard specification of the RLX 780 includes a 40 hp spindle with Yaskawa inverter drive that delivers infinitely variable speeds across two ranges of 20-417 rpm and 580-1,300 rpm. Machine stability comes from its 8,600 kg overall weight, with the one-piece solid ribbed cast base, with a 500 mm wide vee and flat bed, ensuring accuracy and longevity.
