Control systems
Prototrak
Prototrak controls — produced by Southwestern Industries — are most closely associated with XYZ Machine Tools, who use Prototrak as their flagship control across their full range of Vertical Machining Centres and Toolroom Machining Centres. The platform is also found on retrofitted Bridgeport knee mills, Haulin ram travel mills, and similar machines. Their PC-based architecture and age mean they present specific fault patterns unique to the platform.
Prototrak controls — built by Southwestern Industries — are typically found on retrofitted machines, particularly Bridgeport knee mills, Haulin ram travel mills, and similar machines that were originally manual or under older CNC systems. The Prototrak retrofit converts these machines to CNC operation at relatively low cost.
The Prototrak system uses a PC-based control with a distinctive screen interface and the Prototrak Exchange conversational programming environment. Earlier models ran under DOS; later models (including the TraK MX and RMX series) use a Windows-based platform.
Common Prototrak fault patterns include battery-backed memory loss following power disconnection, encoder signal loss from loose or damaged cable runs (common on knee mill conversions where cables are routed through moving joints), and software freezes on the older DOS-based systems after unexpected power loss.
Spindle and axis drive issues on Prototrak systems tend to involve the DC servo drives used in many retrofit installations — these are separate from the control itself but interact with it through encoder feedback and drive enable signals.
For breakdowns, PPM, or control-related faults on Prototrak machines, please contact me with the machine model and fault description.