Introduction
CNC machine tools, without a tool magazine, are called CNC milling machines, while those with a tool magazine are called machining centers, also known as CNC. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) is an abbreviation for Computer Numerical Control machine tool, a type of automated machine tool equipped with a program control system. This control system can logically process programs with control codes or other symbolic instructions, decode them, and thus enable the machine tool to move and process parts.
A machining center is a CNC machine tool equipped with a tool magazine and automatic tool changer, capable of performing multiple machining operations on a single workpiece clamping. Machining centers are highly mechatronic products. After workpiece clamping, the CNC system controls the machine tool to automatically select and change tools according to different operations, automatically set tools, and automatically change spindle speed and feed rate.
It can continuously complete multiple operations such as drilling, boring, milling, reaming, and tapping. Therefore, it significantly reduces workpiece clamping time and auxiliary process time such as measurement and machine tool adjustment, offering excellent economic benefits for machining parts with complex shapes, high precision requirements, and frequent product changes.
Machining centers are usually classified according to the relative position of the spindle and the worktable, into horizontal, vertical and universal machining centers.
1) Horizontal machining center: refers to a machining center in which the spindle axis is set parallel to the worktable, and is mainly suitable for machining box-shaped parts.
2) Vertical machining center: refers to a machining center in which the spindle axis is set perpendicular to the worktable. It is mainly suitable for machining complex parts such as plates, discs, molds and small shells.
3) Universal machining center (also known as multi-axis linkage machining center): This refers to a machining center that can control the linkage between the machining spindle axis and the worktable rotation axis to complete the machining of complex spatial curved surfaces. It is suitable for machining workpieces with complex spatial curved surfaces such as impeller rotors, molds, and cutting tools.
The following sections introduce the world’s top ten machining centers; the data in this article is for reference only and not the sole basis for ranking.
1. Yamazaki Mazak CNC Machining Center (MAZAK) – Japan (founded in 1919)
Global Industry Position: Mazak is Boeing’s top machine tool supplier and a key supplier to Russian defense companies.
Mazak Corporation of Japan is a world-renowned machine tool manufacturer. Founded in 1919, the company primarily produces CNC lathes , milling and turning centers, vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CNC laser systems, FMS ( Flexible Manufacturing System), CAD/CAM systems, CNC units, and production support software. Mazak products are known in the industry for their high speed and precision, and are used in various sectors of the machinery industry.
Mazak Product Advantages: The Yamazaki Mazak Smooth system utilizes Mazak’s seventh-generation CNC system, featuring entirely new software and hardware configurations. Specifically designed for the intelligent platforms of the IoT era, it enables high-speed, high-precision, and high-quality machining. In addition to Smooth technology, Yamazaki Mazak also boasts a unique feature—a CNC unit specifically designed for multi-axis machining centers, 5-axis machining centers, and CNC lathes.
Japan boasts many world-renowned machine tool brands, such as Mazak, Amada, Okuma, Mori Seiki, Makino, and Mitsubishi. Japan has a large number of machine tool companies, and their technology is among the world’s leading. Take Mazak as an example; it is arguably the strongest company in the global machine tool industry. Mazak is Boeing’s preferred machine tool supplier and a key supplier to Russian defense companies. Back in 2013, the Prince of Wales personally thanked the Yamazaki family of Japan for their contributions to European industry and manufacturing.
2. GF AgieCharmilles CNC Machining Center – Switzerland (founded in 1802)
Global Industry Standing: GF is the preferred partner for major global clients, renowned worldwide for its meticulousness and precision.
The Swiss GF AgieCharmilles Group is renowned for the meticulousness and precision of its products. Whether it’s electrical discharge machining (EDM) tools or milling centers, they prioritize performance, accuracy, and reliability, focusing on customer needs and machining requirements.
They are committed to producing and developing products that best meet market demands and satisfy customers. At the upcoming CIMT2009, we will be focusing on the aerospace, mold and die manufacturing, and medical device industries. The GF Group primarily operates three core businesses: piping systems, automotive products, and AgieCharmilles precision machine tools.
GF comprises three divisions: GF Piping Systems, GF Molding Solutions, and GF Machining Solutions. Founded in 1802 and headquartered in Switzerland, the company has branches in 34 countries and owns 137 companies, including 59 production sites. In 2020, it achieved sales of CHF 3.18 billion. GF is a preferred partner for major global clients, particularly in the transportation of liquids and gases, lightweight casting components, and high-precision manufacturing technologies.
GF Product Advantages: Mikron’s milling technology has long been renowned worldwide. Mikron machine tools boast advanced thermal stability, ensuring reliable high precision during extended machining operations. Another major highlight is Mikron’s exclusive omnidirectional spindle collision protection technology ( MSP ), which prevents spindle collision failures. Integration with automation solutions allows precision component manufacturers and mold makers to reach new levels of production capacity.
GF Piping Systems is a world-leading expert in high-quality plastic piping systems. It entered China in 1998 and supplied ground source heat pump systems for the famous Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the “Bird’s Nest”.
GF Automotive Products: As one of Europe’s largest suppliers of lightweight metals and high-strength ductile iron automotive castings, GF is a world leader in advanced technology, with its products found in almost every car model globally. Its core technology is lightweight design, enabling cost-effective lightweight design to be scaled up, making a significant contribution to energy conservation and emission reduction in the global automotive industry.
GF AgieCharmilles Precision Machine Tools: the preferred partner for manufacturers of tools, molds, and precision parts.
3. Grob CNC Machining Center – Germany (founded in 1926)
Global Industry Position: Grob holds an absolute dominant position in the global automotive powertrain manufacturing sector.
The GROB Group is a family-owned company operating worldwide, headquartered in Mindelheim, Germany, with three overseas production facilities in São Paulo, Brazil; Brafton, USA; and Dalian, China. GROB GmbH, headquartered in Mindelheim, Germany, is a globally renowned manufacturer of machine tools and production lines. From standard machine tools to complex production systems, assembly units on cutting lines, and fully automated assembly lines, GROB’s processes and technologies are always at the forefront.
GROB Product Features: The German family-owned GROB has consistently maintained a dominant global position, particularly in the automotive powertrain manufacturing sector, thanks to its high-quality products, advanced technology, and reliability. In addition to consolidating its leading position in the automotive industry, GROB has specifically developed the GA series of five-axis universal machining centers for the Asian and Chinese markets. Its unique “flip-type machining” concept achieves superior chip removal, thus providing exceptional flexibility.
For example, the F-series machining centers for frame structures are models independently developed by Grob, featuring a series of special characteristics , comprising four products: G500F, G520F, G700F, and G720F; while the G350a and G550a of the access series are the latest models in Grob’s five-axis general-purpose machining center series. All five products have been launched in Germany and the European market and have received positive feedback from users, after all, the world’s most precise instruments are made in Germany.
4. DMG MORI CNC Machining Center – Germany (founded in 1870)
Global Industry Position: A world-leading manufacturer of machine tools and overall technology solutions.
DMG MORI is an international brand machine tool company formed by the merger of four machine tool companies: DECKEL, MAHO AG, GTIMARI, and Mori Seiki. It integrates the tradition, precision, and leading technologies of machine tool manufacturing from Germany and Japan.
DECKEL is a renowned lathe brand, MAHO AG is a well-known milling machine brand, and GTIMARI manufactures both lathes and milling machines and is also a company highly skilled in marketing and promotion. GTIMARI was founded in Germany in 1870 and has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1949. In 1994, the company acquired DECKEL and MAHO AG, thus creating the world-renowned “DMG” brand in the global machine tool industry today. Later, DMG MORI and Mori Seiki merged, combining German manufacturing (DMG 143 years) with Japanese manufacturing (MORI SEIKI 65 years), forming a new global leader in CNC machine tools – DMG MORI.
DMG MORI Product Features: DMG MORI products are characterized by high precision, high rigidity, and user-friendliness. DMG MORI offers a comprehensive product line of CNC machining centers, from 3-axis to 5-axis machining. For example, the DMU 75 monoBLOCK universal machining center. Itis one of Europe’s largest machine tool manufacturers, continuously bringing innovative technologies to multiple fields such as aerospace, automotive, and additive manufacturing, while also showcasing rich digital solutions covering the entire process from task planning and preparation to production and monitoring.
For example, one of DMG MORI’s two key machine tools is the DMU 95 monoBLOCK five-axis machining center. This machine tool uses a cradle-type rotary table, with a spindle speed reaching 20,000 r/min; it employs a three-point support structure to ensure quick and convenient installation for users; and it uses the Siemens 840D system. This machine tool is produced at DMG MORI’s Pfronten plant in Germany, which is the largest five-axis plant in Europe, with an annual output of approximately €600 million.
The advantages of DMG MORI machine tools are twofold:
First, they offer a three-year warranty, which is rare in the machine tool industry. This extended warranty stems from DMG MORI’s confidence in the DMU 95 monoBLOCK. Second, within the Siemens 840D system, DMG MORI integrates many of its own standard functions, such as tool magazine management, on-site operating status display, machine tool machining status display, and spindle speed display.
Furthermore, it allows users to create their own apps based on their experience, which can then be used as macro programs, significantly improving production efficiency.
5.Makino CNC Machining Center – Japan (established in 1937)
Global Industry Position: A leading global manufacturer and leader in CNC milling machines and machining centers.
Makino was one of Japan’s earliest machine tool manufacturers to produce CNC milling machines and machining centers. Makino Machining Centers enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of precision mold and parts manufacturing, offering products ranging from three-axis to five-axis, from vertical to horizontal, and from micro-machining to large-scale applications.
In recent years, to meet market demands, Makino has developed a series of high-precision, high-speed five-axis machine tools. The precision achieved through five-axis simultaneous machining is comparable to that of three-axis machine tools. Even the iQ500, with its large travel, achieves breakthrough precision down to the μm level.
Makino Product Features:
Makino adheres to a consistent global philosophy of high precision, high efficiency, and high stability, ensuring consistently high-quality products worldwide. From the Makino V33i vertical machining center, a “flagship model” that has been a bestseller in the mold industry for over 20 years, to the iQ300 high-precision vertical machining center, and then to the V80S large five-axis vertical machining center, its product range fully embodies its design philosophy of meeting user needs and its high-efficiency, high-precision, and high-performance product characteristics.
Makino machine tools are primarily used in mold making, parts processing, and aerospace. Especially in the Chinese market, the mold industry is Makino’s largest application area, accounting for over 60% of its business.
6. Yasda CNC Machining Center – Japan (established in 1929)
Global Industry Status: A world-renowned manufacturer of high-precision machine tools.
Many Japanese companies share a common characteristic: they are relatively small in size, yet possess a long history and world-leading technology. They are not only pillars of the Japanese economy but also “hidden champions” in their respective industries, such as Yasda Industries, Ltd., a high-precision machine tool manufacturer.
Yasda is an outstanding representative of high-precision machining center brands, pursuing ultra-high precision down to sub-micron levels. “Not seeking the largest, but the best” is Yasda’s fundamental philosophy. Their focus is not on blindly expanding the company’s scale, but on constantly challenging the development of the most demanding products of the times, thus organizing the development of ultra-high-precision machine tools. Their products are suitable for optical molds, semiconductor processing, high-hardness hardening (HRC65) machining, high-precision multi-cavity molds, and high-surface-finish molds.
Yasda Product Features:
Yasda’s machine tools are characterized by high precision and long service life. The inherent precision of a machine tool and the durability of maintaining that precision depend on the guideways. Yasda’s guideways use durable, hardened steel solid square rails. These guideways are individually high-precision ground, and then further finished by hand grinding. The mating surfaces of the main structural units (bed, bridge, slide) are fixed with bolts.
To ensure geometric accuracy and the durability of that accuracy, Yasda scrapes the mating surfaces of the guideways and structural units, measures them with a collimator, then scrapes again, measures again, and repeats this process to ensure accuracy before fixing the guideways and structural units.
It is worth mentioning that Japan’s leading advantage in the field of precision instruments is impeccable, placing it at the forefront of the world, and it also applies this advantage to the machine tool industry. Japan is the third major power in machine tool manufacturing, production, and industry, after the United States and Germany.
7. CHIRON CNC Machining Center(founded in 1921)
Global Industry Position: A technological pioneer in the global CNC vertical machining center field.
From its early days as a medical device manufacturer, through its development as a compressor manufacturer in the 1950s, to its current status as a high-speed CNC machine tool manufacturer, it has consistently adhered to innovation and maintained its global leadership. For example, the MILL FX800 five-axis high-speed vertical machining center is a true five-axis, five-linkage machining center, particularly suitable for the aerospace and automotive parts manufacturing industries.
Chiron GmbH is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative machining centers. Founded in Germany in 1921, Chiron positioned itself for batch production when it entered the machine tool field in 1957, for applications in industries such as automobile manufacturing, medical devices, electronics, and machining.
Key Features of CHIRON Products:
CHIRON Group of Germany is a global expert in the R&D, manufacturing, and turnkey solutions of vertical CNC machining centers and turning centers. Renowned worldwide for achieving high-efficiency, high-quality machining of complex workpieces at the lowest possible unit cost, it is a benchmark for high performance and precision in the global machine tool industry, possessing the world’s fastest tool changer system, efficient production solutions, and automation technology. For example, its vertical machining centers offer single-spindle, dual-spindle, and four-spindle options, significantly different from the tool changing methods commonly seen, such as disc-type, chain-type, and other similar systems.
Each CHIRON toolholder has an independent robotic arm, resulting in significantly improved tool changing times—making a car wheel hub takes only 60 seconds! Such advanced equipment is primarily used for high-precision components, such as automotive engines and steering shafts, especially in turnkey projects.
The CHIRON Group owns four well-known brands, encompassing three major machine tool brands: CHIRON, STAMA, and SCHERER. CMS is a retrofitting specialist. All four brands represent world-class high-quality precision manufacturing. CHIRON focuses on high-speed, high-efficiency cutting of small and medium-sized parts and non-ferrous metals; STAMA focuses on heavy-duty, high-efficiency cutting of medium and large parts and ferrous metals, both specializing in vertical machining centers, offering single-spindle, twin-spindle, and even four-spindle machining equipment; SCHERER specializes in inverted lathes, offering single-spindle and twin-spindle inverted lathes for turning disc and shaft components; and CMS provides retrofitting and overhaul services for machines manufactured by the group.
8.Okuma CNC Machining Center – Japan (established 100 years ago)
Global industry standing: The world’s largest manufacturer of gantry machining centers.
Okuma of Japan is a rare “all-around manufacturer” in the global machine tool industry. For decades, it has insisted on independently designing and developing everything from core components (drives, encoders, motors, spindles, etc.) to CNC operating systems and terminals, truly achieving a balance between hardware and software. In particular, Okuma’s five-axis machining centers, through the synergistic effect of the “5-Axis Auto Tuning System” which maximizes machining accuracy and the “Thermo-Friendly Concept” which maintains machining accuracy, can maintain high-precision five-axis machining for extended periods.
Okuma, Japan’s largest machine tool manufacturer and the world’s largest manufacturer of gantry machining centers, has a history of over 100 years. It produces various CNC lathes, turning centers, vertical, horizontal, and gantry (five-sided) machining centers, CNC grinding machines, and more. Okuma is not only a world-renowned CNC machine tool manufacturer, but also began developing its own CNC system—the OSP CNC device—as early as the 1960s. With an annual production of over 7,000 CNC devices and approximately 30,000 spindles and servo motors, it once ranked around 5th in the world. The OSP system is not only advanced, stable, and reliable, but also practical and easy to operate, fully integrated with the machine tool, truly achieving mechatronics.
Okuma Product Features:
Its products are renowned worldwide for their high rigidity, cutting efficiency, precision, long lifespan, and ease of operation, earning high praise from users globally. Its CNC systems are industry benchmarks in Japan; they are comprehensive and practical CNC systems with many functions in a modular format (i.e., optional functions), offering strong specificity.
While machining operations on machining centers typically require calculations within a unified machining coordinate system, certain machining scenarios can benefit from coordinate transformation techniques combined with subroutine call instructions, making machining programming simpler and easier.
Japanese machine tools are renowned worldwide for their precision. For example, many have noticed that the wings of the Boeing 787 differ significantly from those of most civilian aircraft. Surprisingly, these beautifully curved wings and the aircraft’s fuselage are not American-made, but rather crafted by high-end Japanese machine tools.
The strength of Japanese high-end machine tools lies in their ultra-high precision. Higher precision means products that approach perfection, enabling breakthroughs in research and development bottlenecks in practical applications. Powerful Japanese machine tools almost single-handedly dominate half of the global market. In fact, Japan became the third nation in the world, after the United States and Germany, to establish a leading machine tool industry.
9. Hämer CNC Machining Center – Germany (founded in 1938)
Global Industry Standing: Hämer is a global expert in small and medium-sized five-axis precision machining.
Hämer is one of Germany’s most renowned machine tool manufacturers. Its five-axis vertical machining centers hold a leading position in the international market, with its factory located in Gosheim, near Stuttgart, Germany. Today, over 20,000 Hämer-manufactured universal milling machines and machining centers are used worldwide. Its reliable product quality and excellent after-sales service ensure that the company is a trusted partner for its customers.
Hämer is an expert in small to medium-sized five-axis precision machining. Its products have significant advantages in machining complex curved surfaces, negative angles, high-precision machining, and high-speed machining. Hämer holds the number one market share in the German market for small to medium-sized mold-making five-axis machine tools. Solving problems for customers: The high rigidity of its machine tools makes them particularly suitable for machining thin-walled parts.
Hämer Product Features:
Hämer AG, a German company, focuses on milling and outstanding results; hence, “Milling” is the company’s motto. It represents powerful, highly innovative machining centers with a leading position both domestically and internationally. It also represents a vast and comprehensive sales and service network.
Notably, Hämer products feature a large table oscillation angle and excellent dynamic performance, suitable for machining complex curved surfaces (including negative angle machining). The high geometric and positional accuracy of the machine tools makes them suitable for machining high-precision parts, especially those requiring high positional accuracy (parallelism, repeatability) for hole systems. The machine tools offer stable performance and excellent long-term accuracy retention.
Its produces approximately 1,000 machining centers annually, 80% of which are five-axis machining centers, thus its advantage lies in five-axis machining. Its machine tool manufacturing exceeds DIN/ISO 10791 standards in many aspects.
Whether it’s demanding milling or simultaneous milling and turning, it can be achieved through the integration of oscillating and rotary axes with high-efficiency torque motors, resulting in significant advantages in flexibility.
10.Haas CNC Machining Center – USA (founded in 1909)
Global Industry Position: Leader in the Global Small and Medium-Sized Machining Market
Haas Automation, Inc. is one of the world’s largest CNC machine tool manufacturers, with its largest global production base located in Oxnard, California. Haas’s annual CNC machine tool production reached over 12,500 units as early as 2006—a significant milestone in the CNC machine tool industry. In the global machine tool industry, the United States remains a world-class player. In fact, throughout the 20th century, the US led in machine tools, but in the 1970s and 80s, Japanese technology surpassed the US.
However, the US has not lost its foundation in machining, especially after re-emphasizing machining in the 21st century, its technology has caught up with Japan, or at least maintained a level of parity. Representative US machine tool companies include: Gleason (a leader in gear manufacturing); Haas (CNC machine tools); and Hardinge (lathes and tooling fixtures).
For the US aero-engine industry, Hardinge machine tools are perhaps the most important. They are the global leader in the small and medium-sized machining market, holding approximately 80% of the market share in Europe and America. Their applications are particularly extensive in the military sector. This machine tool manufacturer practically monopolizes all small-scale precision machining in the military field in Europe and America.
It’s worth mentioning that CNC machine tools were originally developed by Americans. Whether it’s the Cartesian coordinate system or the virtual axis system, the Americans have been far ahead of the global machine tool industry. For example, Greenson Machine Tools was once the king of surface machining and gear technology. Cincinnati is the creator of the world’s first five-axis machining center. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan uses only Cincinnati machine tools for manufacturing key components, and Rolls-Royce aircraft engine combustion chambers and Musk’s spacecraft propulsion systems all rely on Cincinnati. Heck, an American company, was once a global leader in intelligent CNC machinery, especially in waterjet machining. The American company, Sanon, also produces some of the world’s best CNC honing machines.
Haas Product Features:
The Haas VF-1 vertical machining center sets an industry benchmark for high quality and cost-effectiveness. The superior Haas CNC system makes operating the vertical machining center effortless, and it is equipped with intuitive functions not found in other brands. Notably, Haas is also the only machine tool company in the industry to achieve truly transparent pricing. Haas uses its own self-developed system, the latest being Series 16; the Haas system is compatible with FANUC and Mitsubishi programs.
