Among the numerically controlled lathes, those without tool magazines are called CNC milling, and those with tool magazines are called CNC machining centers. CNC is the abbreviation of computer numerical control, the automatic lathe equipped with a program control system. The control system can logically process the program with control codes or other symbolic instructions and decode it so that the machine moves and processes parts.
The machining center has a tool magazine with an automatic tool change function, enabling it to make the workpiece with multi-processes after just one clamping. The machining center is a highly mechatronic product. After the clamping of the workpiece, the CNC system controls the machine according to different processes and can automatically select, change tools, and change the spindle speed, feed, etc. It can continuously do drilling, boring, milling, reaming, tapping, and other processes. Therefore, the time of the workpiece clamping, measuring and adjusting tool, and other auxiliary processes are greatly reduced. It has a great economic effect on making parts with complex shapes and high precision requirements.
1. MAZAK CNC Machining Center - Japan (founded in 1919)
MAZAK is the best machine tool equipment supplier for the Boeing Group and an indispensable supplier to the Russian military industry.
It is a world-renowned manufacturer of lathes. The company was founded in 1919. This company's main products include CNC lathes, combined turning and milling centers, vertical machining centers, and horizontal machining centers as well as CNC laser systems, FMS flexible production systems, CAD/CAM systems, and CNC devices. Mazak's products are known for their high speed and high precision with applications in various machinery industries.
2. GF AgieCharmilles CNC Machining Center - Switzerland (founded in 1802)
GF is the preferred partner of large customers worldwide and is known worldwide for its meticulousness and precision.
GF AgieCharmilles' products are known for their meticulousness and precision. Whether it is an electrical discharge machine (EDM) or a milling center, the performance, precision, and reliability of the products always come first. They focus on customer needs and processing requirements and are committed to producing and developing products that best adapt to the market and satisfy our customers. GF Group operates in three core businesses, i.e. piping systems, automotive products, and AgieCharmilles precision machines.
3. GROB CNC Machining Center - Germany (founded in 1926)
GROB occupies a dominant position in the world in automotive powertrain manufacturing.
GROB Group is a family-owned company operating worldwide, with headquarters in Mindelheim, Germany, and three overseas production sites in São Paulo, Brazil, Bluffton, USA, and Dalian, China. Headquartered in Mindelheim, Germany, GROB is a world-renowned machine tool and production line manufacturer. GROB's processes and technologies are always at the leading edge, from standard machines to complex production systems or assembly units on cutting lines to fully automated assembly lines.
4. DMG MORI Precision CNC Machining Center - Germany (founded in 1870)
It's the world's leading manufacturer of machine tools and total technical solutions.
DMG MORI is an international brand machine tool company formed by the merger of four machine tool companies, including Deckel, Maho, Gilde Meister, and Mori Seiki. The company combines the traditional, precise, and leading technology from Germany and Japanese machine tool manufacturing. Deckel is a famous brand of lathes, Maho is a very well-known brand of milling machines, and Gilde Meister is a company that produces both lathes and milling machines and is also very good at marketing and promotion. Gilde Meister was founded in Germany in 1870 and has been listed on the stock exchange since 1949. In 1994, the company acquired DECKEL and MAHO AG. Since then, the "DMG" brand, known worldwide in the lathe industry, was born. Then after the combination of the German DMG and Japan Mori Seiki integration, the formation of a new global leader in CNC machine lathes - DMG Mori Seiki (DMG MORI).
5. Makino CNC machining center - Japan (founded in 1937)
It is one of the global CNC milling machine and machining center lathe manufacturers and industry leaders.
As Japan's earliest CNC milling machine and machining center lathe manufacturer, Makino machining centers have an excellent reputation in precision mold and parts manufacturing, including lathes from 3-axis to 5-axis, from vertical to horizontal, and from microfabrication to large scale production. In recent years, Makino has developed an array of high precision and high-speed five-axis machines to meet the market demand. The accuracy of joint machining by five-axis machines can be comparable to that of the three-axis. Even the iQ500, a machine with a larger stroke, can ensure the high precision requirements of μm level, which was a big breakthrough.
6. YASDA CNC machining center - Japan (founded in 1929)
It is the world-renowned manufacturer of high-precision lathes.
Many Japanese companies have this outstanding feature: the company is small in size but has a very long history and the world's top technology. They are not only pillars of the Japanese economy, but also the "hidden champions" of the industry, including the high-precision lathe manufacturer, YASDA Industries, Ltd. YASDA is an outstanding representative of high precision machining center brands, pursuing ultra-high precision with sub-micron accuracy. The basic philosophy of YASDA is not to seek the biggest but the best. YASDA, rather than blindly expanding its size, is always ready to face the challenge of the ultimate products, thus allowing the development of high-precision workhorses. Its products are suitable for optical molds, semiconductor processing, high-hardness quenching processes (HRC65), high precision multi-cavity molds, and molds with high finish processing.
7. Chiron CNC machining center - Germany (founded in 1921)
It is the global technology pioneer in CNC vertical machining centers.
As a medical device manufacturer in the early years, from a 1950s compressor manufacturer to the present manufacturer of high-speed CNC lathes, Chiron always adheres to innovation and maintains global leadership. For example, the MILL FX800 five-axis high-speed vertical machining center is a true five-axis, five-linkage machining center, especially suitable for aerospace and automotive parts manufacturing.
8. Okuma CNC machining centers - Japan (founded 100 years ago)
It is the world's top gantry machining center manufacturer.
Okuma is one of the few all-around manufacturers in the world's lathe industry. For decades, it has insisted on designing and developing everything from core components (drives, encoders, motors, spindles, etc.) to CNC operating systems and terminals, from software to hardware. In particular, OKUMA's 5-axis machining machines can maximize machining accuracy through the synergy of the 5-Axis Auto Tuning System and the Thermo-Friendly Concept that maintains machining accuracy. The synergy of the 5-Axis Auto Tuning System, which maximizes machining accuracy, and the Thermo-Friendly Concept, which keeps machining accuracy, enables high-accuracy 5-axis machining for a long time.
9. Hermle CNC machining center - Germany (founded in 1938)
Hermle is a global expert in small and medium-sized 5-axis precision machining.
It is one of the most famous lathe manufacturers in Germany. Today more than 20,000 Hermle universal milling machines and machining centers are used worldwide. The reliable quality of Hermle products and the excellent after-sales service ensure that Hammer is a reliable partner for our customers.
10. Haas CNC machining center - United States (founded in 1909)
It is the global market leader in the small and medium-sized machining market.
Haas is one of the world's largest manufacturers of CNC lathes with a global production base located in Oxnard, California. The annual production of Haas CNC machines reached more than 12,500 units as early as 2006 - a milestone for the CNC lathe industry. In the industry, the USA remains at the world's premier level. In fact, throughout the 20th century, American lathes were always ahead. However, by the 1970s to 1980s, Japan's technology caught up with the USA. In spite of that, the heritage of American lathes remains, especially in the 21st century, and the focus on machining and technology has created a backlash against Japan, at least with Japan attempting to maintain its parallel position. The representative American lathe companies are Gleason (leader in the gear industry), Haas (CNC lathes), and Hardinge (lathes and fixtures).
