On a recent visit to the Nuneaton showroom of XYZ Machine Tools, MTDCNC’s Paul and Gio take a closer look at the new twin-spindle SS 65 turning centre.
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scussing the machine, MTD’s resident machine tool expert Paul Jones says: “It’s a machine that was launched at the back end of last year and there are models available in stock that engineers can come and see in Devon. The closest machine to it in terms of capacity, at the Nuneaton facility, is the CT65 LTY turning centre, which has Y-axis just like the twin-spindle machine.”
“XYZ has had a great start to the year, and this follows on from the success of 2021.” When asked why XYZ has brought a twin-spindle turning centre to the marketplace, Paul continues: “Just look at what happened with the UMC 5-axis machine. XYZ brought that into the country four years ago and last year they had the best year of sales with that machine. Year on year, as more companies recognise that XYZ is a 5-axis machine tool supplier, more people are buying into the company as a supplier of that product. The twin-spindle turning centre is the next venture for the turning centres of XYZ. They already have a single spindle with Y-axis, and they have been doing that type of machine for some time. They have tested the market, they have tested the technology and they have customers with multiple turning centres. So, the next step is the twin spindle.”
“What does it mean for XYZ users? It means that customers can now machine parts in a single operation. It means that a raw billet can go on to the machine and a finished part comes off.” Looking closer at the specification of the machine, Paul adds: “The machine has the Siemens touchscreen CNC control, a 65mm bar capacity, a 100mm Y-axis on the machine with powerful spindle motors, 4000rpm main spindle with 5000rpm on the sub-spindle for finishing parts. Additionally, the machine has optional extras that include the swarf conveyor, part catchers, tool setters – all of these things are available on front and back spindle with this model.”
“Some key areas that stand out are the control system with the Siemens Shopturn that allows manufacturers to program at the machine very easily, reducing the learning curve. The controller can be used to fully assist the operator – and don’t forget that it’s a big thing as XYZ have sold machines in the past based upon their control technology and ease-of-use. Engineers buy into this, and operators want the ease of use – they want the transition from lower forms of technology to new modern-day machinery to be as simple as possible. That is what XYZ can do with this new twin-spindle machine.”
“There are currently machines in stock in Devon at the XYZ headquarters. There will also be a machine at MACH 2022, and of course, people can see the machine on the XYZ website and via MTD videos. Where this machine will be good for XYZ is where they may have lost business in the past with businesses that wanted twin spindle technology that XYZ could not provide. Now they can. So, engineers can buy their VMCs, the 5-axis machines, bed lathes, oil country machines and now multi-axis turning centres for machining in one hit.
The XYZ SS 65 features a 16.5kW spindle motor with 65mm bar capacity and 200mm diameter chuck as standard and an 11kW 5000rpm sub-spindle with a 52mm bore and 150mm chuck. The German-built Sauter 12-position turret has live tooling at every station and contouring is facilitated by the C-axis on both spindles.
