Aberdeenshire-based APF Services, a small hydraulic repair business, has significantly boosted its operational efficiency with the acquisition of its first CNC machine—a Proturn RLX 425 CNC lathe with ProtoTRAK control, supplied by XYZ Machine Tools. Despite initial concerns over the cost and the learning curve associated with CNC technology, the business has seen remarkable results, with certain jobs experiencing cycle time reductions of up to 90%.
Founded in 2012 by Chris Dawson, APF Services provides hydraulic repairs to various industries, including agriculture, forestry, oil & gas, and waste management. The company previously relied on two manual lathes and a manual mill, but as demand for faster turnaround times increased, Mr. Dawson recognized the need for a technological upgrade. “We were concerned about being left behind, but I didn’t know where to begin with CNC,” he explained.
The breakthrough came when Mr. Dawson observed a neighboring customer in the forestry sector benefiting from XYZ’s CNC machines. Intrigued, he attended a demonstration of the Proturn RLX 425 at XYZ’s Livingston facility. “I was unsure about programming, but the ProtoTRAK control was so intuitive. The touchscreen and TRAKing feature gave me the confidence to start programming,” he said.
The Proturn RLX 425, now fully operational at APF Services, features a 7.5kW spindle and a three-speed headstock capable of reaching speeds of up to 2,500 rpm. With a spindle bore of 80mm and a swing capacity of 700mm in the gap and 480mm over the bed, the lathe offers impressive versatility, handling materials such as EN8, EN24T, chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, and cast steel.
The improvements in efficiency have been substantial. For example, a hydraulic cylinder component machining job that previously took 45 minutes on a manual lathe now takes just 4 minutes and 30 seconds on the RLX 425, marking a 90% reduction in machining time. In another instance, the company reduced cycle time for machining hexagon end caps from 12 hours to just 2 hours.
As a result of the enhanced performance, APF Services completed a batch of cylinder parts in five days, compared to the ten days required with manual equipment, even while still learning the machine.
Mr. Dawson attributes his company’s success to his in-depth understanding of the industries they serve, particularly agriculture, where quick response times are critical. “In agriculture, delays can cost a business during peak seasons, like harvest. With the RLX 425, we can deliver components fast, even without CAD models or drawings, thanks to our engineering expertise,” he said.
Due to the success of the RLX 425, APF Services has already ordered another XYZ machine, an RMX 3500 CNC bed mill, further solidifying their commitment to CNC technology. “Once I find a reliable supplier, they have my business,” Mr. Dawson concluded. “The customer support from XYZ is exceptional, and for a small company like ours, that support is invaluable.”