The turning range from XYZ Machine Tools has been extended with the addition of the ProTURN RLX 780, a 3 m gap-bed lathe with a swing of 780 mm that has been engineered to use the latest ProtoTRAK control.

Previously, XYZ Machine Tools’ XL series of lathes had been restricted to the Siemens 828D ShopTurn control system, but with developments in drive technology, the first of these large-capacity lathes can now be married with the ProtoTRAK control, opening up opportunities for existing ProtoTRAK users who previously may have resisted the move to Siemens.
Nigel Atherton, managing director of XYZ Machine Tools, says: The ProTURN RLX 780 is the first of our large-capacity lathes to be given the option of the ProtoTRAK control, but it won’t be the last. With the development of the Delta drives and motors they are now fully compatible with the ProtoTRAK control, meaning we can scale up the range of machines available, which will be a very attractive proposition for existing ProtoTRAK users. With the option of an eight-station turret, along with the ProtoTRAK control, the RLX 780 is now a cost-effective competitor for any large capacity turning centre.”
XYZ’s ProTURN RLX 780 shares all the attributes of its sister machine, the XL 780, with a between-centre distance of 3 m, 160 mm diameter spindle bore and a 32 kW spindle coupled to a gearbox providing two speed ranges between 20 and 1300 rpm. A 500 mm diameter three-jaw chuck and four-station automatic indexing turret are also standard equipment.
Most notable among the changes is, of course, the ProtoTRAK control, with its 15.6” touchscreen control enhancing ease-of-use and programming.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Producing batches from 30 to 20,000, Hertfordshire-based Plastic Turned Parts (PTP) has invested more than £750,000 in four years to the end of 2019 in six new CNC turning centres, helping it double turnover. Five of the machines were delivered by Citizen Machinery, four Cincom sliding-head lathes and, most recently, a Miyano fixed-head model, bringing the total number of lathes on-site from this supplier to nine.

All except two of the Citizen lathes are fitted with the company’s default option bar magazines from Italian manufacturer Iemca, represented in the UK by 1st Machine Tool Accessories.
Managing director and owner Jonathan Newis says: “We particularly like the Elite model fitted to our smallest capacity, 12 mm sliding-head lathe, which has a big-bore kit to take 16 mm diameter bar. The magazine can be swapped over in a matter of seconds from gravity bar feed to walking-beam operation for advancing smaller stock below 6 mm diameter.”
Newis also singles out for praise an Iemca Boss 338-HD Superfast feeding a 20 mm capacity slider. Turning flexible plastic bar is an esoteric art, one of the problems being that, unlike metal bars, thinner stock sags under its own weight both within the magazine and in the space between it and the lathe. Through 1st MTA, the Italian manufacturer modified the barfeed to include solid panels, rather than standard cross struts, for supporting the plastic bars along the length of the magazine. Also produced were bespoke clamping blocks to ensure that small diameter bar remains horizontal in the gap between where it leaves the barfeed and enters the turning centre.
For further information www.1mta.com

Pemamek has delivered two PEMA automated welding lines, designed for foundation pin pile production, to CSBC Corp in Taiwan.

The investment is a part of CSBC’s business development initiative to become an offshore wind energy turnkey provider and expand its operations in national offshore wind energy markets. The automated solutions will enable CSBC to significantly increase its competitiveness, and boost manufacturing capacity and quality.
CSBC’s new lines are designed to manufacture pin piles for offshore jacket foundations, and have the capacity of processing pin piles up to 350 tons and 90 m. Included are three longitudinal seam welding stations, two assembly stations capable of welding internal circular seams, two welding platforms that operate simultaneously with two welding heads, integrated heavy-duty roller beds with polyurethane rollers, and a PEMA WeldControl 500 control system with laser-tracking.
For further information https://pemamek.com/

BAE Systems will take on 800 apprentices in the UK in 2020, the highest number ever recruited.

The recruits will join one of more than 25 apprenticeship programmes across the company’s air, maritime, land and cyber divisions, benefitting from tailored schemes that combine recognised qualifications with on-the-job training. BAE’s latest apprentices will work on programmes that include developing future combat air technologies for the Royal Air Force, and Dreadnought – a new generation of submarine for the Royal Navy that will replace the current Vanguard class.
For further information www.baesystems.com

Aston Martin Lagonda last month opened its new manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales. First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Mark Drakeford joined Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, at a ceremony to officially open the plant.

While Gaydon continues to be the home of the company’s sports car production, St Athan is the home of Aston Martin’s first SUV, the DBX. Upon the commencement of full production at St Athan in the second quarter of 2020, the company will have created up to 600 skilled jobs, rising to 750 at peak production.
In 2016, Aston Martin Lagonda chose the 90-acre St Athan site to be its newest centre of manufacturing excellence in the UK. Phase I of construction saw the creation of the customer and staff reception areas, administration and management offices, and the employee restaurant. Phase II got underway in spring 2017 after the ceremonial handover of the three super-hangars that now house the new manufacturing facility.
The final phase to fit out the now-converted super-hangars got underway in late 2018, ready for pre-production to commence in 2019.
For further information www.astonmartinlagonda.com