Fletcher Moorland, a Stoke-based company that repairs and refurbishes motors, pumps,
gearboxes and fans, has purchased an XYZ RLX 780 flat-bed CNC lathe with ProtoTRAK RLX
control as part of efforts to expand services for its growing customer base.
Says third-generation managing director Matt Fletcher: “We traditionally worked on sub 1
MW motors but, with advances in wind turbines, we’re now seeing repairs required on
equipment up to 2.5 MW. These machines, which weigh around 10 tons, have bigger rotors
and end shields, and we didn’t have a machine to process these larger parts.”
The process of acquiring a large-capacity lathe involved researching the market, which
culminated in two visits to XYZ’s Midlands Technical Centre in Nuneaton.

Electrical-mechanical workshop Manager Matt Sparkes says: “Demonstrations from XYZ’s
area sales manager gave us the confidence that the RLX 780 was the right fit in terms of
machine size and capacity. After seeing the ProtoTRAK RLX control, used both manually and
in CNC modes, we knew it was the best solution for our workshop.”
With shafts and rotors increasing in size, Fletcher Moorland is already benefiting from the
purchase of the XYZ RLX 780.
“Its 160 mm diameter spindle bore is advantageous, especially when we recently machined
a batch of conveyor rollers,” explains Sparkes. “The additional fixed steady we purchased is
also proving its worth.”
In a closing remark, Sparkes says: “We really feel that the ProtoTRAK control is the way
forward. Its ease of use and flexibility aligns with our processes, and we see it enabling us to
produce one-offs quickly and efficiently using the conversational format that the control
provides.”
More information www.xyzmachinetools.com