APF Services, a growing hydraulic repair business based in Aberdeenshire, has taken a major step forward with its first CNC machine investment – a Proturn RLX 425 CNC lathe from XYZ Machine Tools. The machine has already delivered significant improvements in efficiency, reducing cycle times by as much as 90% on certain jobs, marking a transformative shift in the company’s operations.
Founded in 2012 by Chris Dawson, APF Services has catered to a variety of industries including agriculture, forestry, fishing, oil and gas, and waste management. The company had previously relied on manual lathes and mills, but growing demands for faster turnaround times raised concerns about staying competitive. Despite initial hesitations about the cost and complexity of CNC technology, Dawson was encouraged by the user-friendly, cost-effective options offered by XYZ Machine Tools.
“I’d never considered CNC before, but seeing a nearby customer benefit from XYZ’s machines made me take a closer look,” Dawson said. After attending a demonstration of the Proturn RLX 425 at XYZ’s Livingston facility, Dawson was impressed by the machine’s simplicity and ease of use. “The ProtoTRAK control system was intuitive, and the touchscreen interface, combined with the TRAKing feature, made it easy to control the machine during my first cuts,” he added.
The Proturn RLX 425, now fully operational at APF Services, boasts a 7.5kW spindle and a three-speed headstock capable of running up to 2,500 rpm. Its versatility and speed have allowed the company to handle a range of hydraulic cylinder components and small batch jobs with greater efficiency and precision. With capabilities ranging from threading and chamfering to creating O-ring grooves and shoulders, the machine is ideal for the diverse materials APF works with, including stainless steel, chrome-plated steel, and cast steel.
A time study conducted by APF Services revealed the dramatic impact of the new lathe: a machining operation that once took 45 minutes on a manual lathe now takes just four and a half minutes on the RLX 425 – a 90% reduction in cycle time. Additionally, machining hexagon end caps from 9-inch stainless steel bars was reduced from 12 hours to just two hours. “We saved five days of machining time on one batch of cylinder parts, completing the job in just five days instead of ten,” Dawson explained.
Beyond the machine’s capabilities, Dawson highlighted the invaluable customer support offered by XYZ. “The training was thorough, and the team at XYZ was always available to answer any questions,” he noted. “This level of support has been essential for a small business like ours, which often faces time-sensitive jobs that can’t afford delays.”
Dawson’s extensive background in the agricultural and oil & gas sectors, along with his years of experience as a hydraulic mechanic in the North Sea, has allowed APF Services to provide rapid, high-quality solutions for customers, especially in urgent situations. “If a hydraulic cylinder fails in the middle of harvest, for example, time is critical. Our ability to reverse-engineer parts or provide replacements quickly is essential to keeping our customers operational,” he said.
With the success of the Proturn RLX 425, APF Services has already expanded its CNC capabilities, ordering an RMX 3500 CNC bed mill from XYZ to further enhance its capabilities. “The RLX 425 has taken our business to a whole new level. The speed, precision, and support from XYZ have been invaluable in our growth,” Dawson concluded.
This investment underscores the growing trend of small businesses in manufacturing embracing CNC technology to stay competitive, reduce lead times, and enhance customer satisfaction.