The

Midsize 5-Axis
Buyer’s Guide
A survey of midsize full 5-axis machine
tools from the top manufacturers.

By Ian Wright
Editor, Manufacturing, ENGINEERING.com

Click on a company to go to its page.

 Investing in a machining center
THE MIDSIZE 5-AXIS BUYER’S GUIDE with full 5-axis capabilities can
make a world of difference for
manufacturing professionals.
Although it started as a niche technology, several
factors have contributed to the wider adoption of 5-axis
machining. These include:

• A push toward single-setup machining (sometimes

referred to as “Done-in-One”) to reduce lead time
and increase efficiency;

• The ability to avoid collision with the tool holder by

tilting the cutting tool or the table, which also allows
better access to part geometry;

• Improved tool life and cycle time as a result of tilting

the tool/table to maintain optimum cutting position
and constant chip load.

The manufacturing possibilities that are unlocked with

5-axis technology are certainly impressive, but if you’re
just starting out, they can also seem daunting. If you
find yourself with a number of lingering questions about
5-axis, check out our feature on The What, Why and How
of 5-Axis CNC Machining.

This ebook is for those who are ready to take the next
step, covering ten 5-axis machining centers from the
industry’s leading machine tool manufacturers. Read
on for technical summaries, recommended applications
and more.

Click on a company’s logo to visit its website.

 DMU 50

The DMU 50 features digital drives in all axes, a rapid

traverse up to 30 m/min and motor spindle speeds up
to 18,000 rpm. Besides the standard rigid table, there
are other table options available including a manually
operated table, a motor-driven swivel rotary table with
hydraulic clamping and a simultaneous table.

The cross-slide design with a ribbed cast-iron column

is designed to provide a basis that offers precision and
rigidity. The machine also features DMG’s ERGOline
Control, a 19” screen and 3D-software. DMG MORI
describes the DMU 50 as “an ideal and an affordable
entry into the world of 5-sided/5-axis simultaneous
machining.”

XYZ Travel 19.7 in x 17.7 in x 15.8 in Machine Highlights

Table Size 27.6 in x 19.7 in • Variable table options, from fixed to swivel
Tool Capacity 16
rotary table for 5-axis simultaneous machining
• High work piece weights and based on the in-
Max Spindle 14,000 rpm
Speed tegrated swivel rotary table with large bearing
Spindle 14.5 kW @ 100% DC
diameters in both rotary axes
Motor Power 20.3 kW @ 40% DC • Steeply slanted walls and a large working area
in relation to a small machine size
• Tool magazine with 16 tool pockets (30 or 60
optional)
• Spindle Motor up to 18,000 rpm (optional),
130 Nm and 35 kW (40 % DC)
Torque 121Nm (40% DC)
 VC 630/5AX

The VC630/5AX machining center provides full 5-axis

machining capability. Its rigid integral rotary/tilt table
and built-in spindle can be used for both high-speed and
heavy-duty machining of complex parts. The machine’s
structure was designed using Finite Element Analysis
(FEM) to enhance its static and dynamic rigidity.

The base casting on the axis feed system is made of

heavy-duty Meehanite cast iron, chosen for its vibration
damping characteristics for stable machining conditions.
Roller-type linear guideways and rigid couplings are
included as standard. The machine’s large workpiece
capacity allows for a variety of parts to be machined in
one setup.

XYZ Travel 25.6 in x 30.1 in x 20.5 in Machine Highlights

Table Size 24.8 in • Simultaneous 5-axis control
Tool Capacity 40
• Moving column
• Tilting rotary table
Max Spindle 12,000 rpm
Speed • Built-in spindle
Spindle FANUC 22 kW
• High-rigidity roller guide and coupling
Motor Power HEIDENHAIN 23.5 kW
SIEMENS 30 kW

Torque 204 Nm (25%)

 Mikron MILL S 400 U

The Mikron MILL S 400 U provides 5-axis machining

for mold and die manufacturers. Applications include
packaging, infrastructure, automotive and consumer
goods. The machine’s thermal management system
and mineral cast machine base are designed to ensure
reliability. Its compact construction can enable faster
part setup and easy accessibility for maintenance. All
Mikron MILL S machines are equipped with direct sensor
systems in the linear and rotary axes. Each linear axis as
well as the rotary unit has a separate cooling circuit for
consistent heat transfer.

Step-Tec Opticool technology allows for cooling for

the front roller bearings to increase the accuracy of
measuring probes. Thermo-Lock measuring probe
technology slows the transfer of heat between the
measuring probe and the tool spindle. The optional
XYZ Travel 19.7 in x 17.7 in x 14.2 in
Intelligent Tool Measurement (ITM) measuring system
Table Size 19.7 in x 15.7 in records the complete tool tip up to Ø 12 mm for
Tool Capacity 18 improved accuracy.
Max Spindle 42,000 rpm
Speed
Machine Highlights
Spindle 13.5 kW @ 40% ED
Motor Power • Direct-drive X, Y, Z, B and C axes
• Polymer concrete machine bed
• Spindle with Opticool technology
• 5 separate cooling circuits
• Rotating and swiveling with direct drives on
Torque 8.8 Nm the B and C axes up to 250 min-1
• Hydraulic clamping in the rotary and swiveling
axes
 UMC-750

The UMC-750 universal milling center is a 5-axis 40-taper

vertical machining center with an integrated dual-axis
trunnion table. The machine is equipped with an 8100-
rpm inline direct-drive spindle driven by a 30-hp vector
drive system and comes with a standard side-mount
40+1 tool changer. A HASS NextGen control allows for
ISO standard G-code programming.

The dual-axis trunnion table can position parts for

5-sided (3+2) machining or provide simultaneous 5-axis
motion for contouring and complex machining.

XYZ Travel 30 in x 20 in x 20 in Machine Highlights

Table Size 19.7 in • Dynamic work offsets
Tool Capacity 40+1 • Tool center point control
Max Spindle 8,100 rpm • Wireless probing system
Speed • User-definable macros
Spindle 22.4 kW • Coordinate rotation and scaling
Motor Power • User-defined second home position
• Power-failure detection module

Torque 122 Nm @ 2,000 rpm

 VC600i

The VCX600i cantilever 5-axis machine is equipped with

CTS and linear scales. It also features a 12k spindle
and B-axis travel of +40/-110 degrees. The machine’s
5-axis/5-sided control features are designed to make
the transition from conventional 3-axis machining to full
5-axis easy. The machine’s linear rails are mounted to a
machined shoulder for rigidity and strategically spaced
for strength. In addition, the rails are wedge locked to a
machined shoulder to reduce vibration.

XYZ Travel 19.7 in x 17.7 in x 15.8 in Machine Highlights

Table Size 23.6 in • High resolution encoders
Tool Capacity 20
• Larger heavy-duty linear rails
• Tool path linearization
Spindle 11 kW
Motor Power • Tool center point management
• 3D tool compensation
• Shortest angular traverse

Torque 73.6 Nm @ 1,450 rpm

 XF6300

The XF6300 vertical machining center is designed

to meet the performance requirements of the mold
industry. The machine features an all-in-one bed and
column structure, a built-in direct drive motor table,
standard 34-tool ring-type ATC (C-C time: 4.5 sec) and
a 19” LCD monitor. The symmetric structure of the
Z-axis is designed to minimize vibration and thermal
displacement during travel. Spindle temperature is
controlled via a spindle oil chiller.

XYZ Travel 25.6 in x 23.6 in x 19.7 in Machine Highlights

Table Size 24.8 in • Box-type saddle design with 4-way structure
Tool Capacity 34
on X axis
• HSK tool holder
Max Spindle 15,000 rpm
Speed • Built-in spindle
Spindle 31 kW
• Through spindle coolant
Motor Power • Standard 1-step 34 tool magazine

Torque 153 Nm
 DA300

The DA300 incorporates design characteristics from

both vertical and horizontal machine platforms to deliver
the productive capabilities for multi-axis workpieces in a
small machine footprint. It is designed for single setup,
multi-side accessibility, or full contouring capability,
encompassing a variety of complex production
part applications. These include industrial hydraulic
and pneumatics elements, optical, electrical and
semiconductor markets, medical and dental products,
die-cast parts, automotive components, aircraft and
aerospace parts as well as contract job shop work.

XYZ Travel 17.7 in x 25.6 in x 19.7 in Machine Highlights

Table Size 11.8 in x 13.4 in • Integral direct drive motor
Tool Capacity 60
• 60 tool magazine
• Vision Broken Tool Sensor (BTS)
Max Spindle 20,000 rpm
Speed • Ready for pallet system integration
Spindle 22 kW
• Direct drive A-axis table
Motor Power • Scale feedback on all axes
• Makino Pro6 Control

Torque 91.3 Nm
 VARIAXIS i-600

The VARIAXIS i-600 is a simultaneous 5-axis vertical

machining center designed to perform multiple
and complex curved surface machining on small
and medium-sized workpieces in single setups. The
machine falls within Mazak’s DONE IN ONE concept
by incorporating all processes from raw material input
through final machining in one machine.

The machine also features fast, high-rigidity spindles

that can handle a wide variety of applications, from
heavy-duty cutting to high-speed cutting of aluminum
and other nonferrous material.

Optional two-pallet changer provides continuous

machine operation and integration within a PALLETECH
Manufacturing System for automated manufacturing.
XYZ Travel 20.1 in x 35.8 in x 20.1 in
Table Size 23.6 in
Tool Capacity 30
Machine Highlights
Max Spindle 12,000 rpm • Range of spindle speeds available
Speed
• Cam-driven tool changer
Spindle 22 kW • Tool storage capacities up to 120 tools
Motor Power
• High-rigidity table with roller gear cams
• MX Hybrid Roller Guide System

Torque 52.81 ft. lbs. (40%)

38.72 ft. lbs. (cont.)
 LU-620

The LU-620 is a 5-axis vertical machining center designed

to be compact and capable of handling a 660-pound
workpiece on a 25.6-inch table surface. With both front
and side opening doors, the LU-620 lends itself to both
manual and automated part loading and unloading.

The LU-620 incorporates a 12,000RPM spindle, vertical

machining center designed for producing complicated
parts at high speeds. With a 5-axis control configuration,
32-position ATC and CAT-40 tooling, complex machining
can be accomplished on the LU-620 in one setup.

The highly rigid NC rotating/tilting rotary table is equipped

with direct drive motors and Heidenhain rotary shaft
encoders. The X-, Y- and Z-axes are equipped with roller
pack linear guides, direct drive motors and a Heidenhain
linear glass scale system.

XYZ Travel 24.4 in x 20.5 in x 18.1 in

Table Size 19.7
Tool Capacity 32 Machine Highlights
Max Spindle 12,000 rpm • Spindle oil chiller
Speed • Programmable cutting air blast system
Spindle 13 HP (cont.) • Full chip enclosure
Motor Power 16.5 HP (30 min) • Mechanical oil / coolant separation
• Tool shank CAT-40
• 3-axes linear glass scales
• Spindle thermal compensation
• Laser tool length measuring system
• Kenematics calibrator device
• Workpiece measuring system (probe)
• Round plate type oil skimmer
 MU-4000V

The MU-4000V 5-Axis CNC Vertical Machining Center is

suitable for workpieces with many machined portions.
Simultaneous 5-axis surfacing and turning enables one-
chuck multi-sided machining. A large work envelope
provides the flexibility to handle a wide range of
workpieces while maintaining a compact footprint.

A high speed, high power motor is available with either

CAT 40 or HSK A-63 taper spindles and the option of
turning mode on the C-axis table for added processing
capability. This model incorporates a high-speed
32-position automatic tool changer and 1968 ipm rapid
traverse.

The MU-4000V includes Okuma’s full 5-axis simultaneous

control system, the OSP-P300. The control offers
functionalities such as the OSP absolute position
XYZ Travel 29.1 in x 18.1 in x 18.1 in
encoders, which do not require a zero return.
Table Size 15.72 This machine is well-suited for the aerospace and die/
Tool Capacity 32 mold industries.
Max Spindle 15,000 rpm
Speed
Spindle 30/25 kW
Motor Power Machine Highlights
• Thermo-Friendly Concept
• Easy access to working area
• Collision Avoidance System (optional)
• 5-axis Auto Tuning System (optional)
Torque 146 ft. lbs