Machine Comparison
Makino a120nx vs Makino a51nx
Makino vs Makino · Horizontal Machining Centers
Summary
The Makino a120nx and the Makino a51nx are both horizontal machining centers, but they sit at opposite ends of the range and serve different jobs. The a120nx is a CAT50 machine with 1,900 x 1,600 x 1,700 mm of travel and a 1,000 mm x 1,000 mm pallet; the a51nx is a CAT40 machine with 560 x 640 x 640 mm of travel and a 400 x 400 mm pallet.
The a120nx carries 3,000 kg, or 5,000 kg as an option, against 400 kg (880 lb), and holds 204 tools against 60 standard, though the a51nx offers up to 311 tools as an option. The a51nx is faster: 14,000 rpm against 8,000 rpm standard, a 0.9 sec tool change against 2.2 sec, and rapids of 60,000 mm/min (2,362 ipm) against 54,000 mm/min. Both offer 20,000 rpm spindles as options.
Specifications Comparison
| Specification | Makino a120nx | Makino a51nx |
|---|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 1,900 mm (74.8 in) ▲ | 560 mm (22.0 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) ▲ | 640 mm (25.2 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 1,700 mm ▲ | 640 mm (25.2 in) |
| Pallet Size | 1,000 mm x 1,000 mm (Optional 1,250 x 1,000 mm) (39.4 in x 39.4 in (Optional 49.2 in x 39.4 in)) | 400 x 400 mm (15.7 in x 15.7 in) |
| Max Table / Workpiece Load | 3,000 kg (Optional 5,000 kg) (6,600 lb (Optional 11,000 lb)) ▲ | 400 kg (880 lb) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 8,000 rpm (Optional 20,000) | 14,000 rpm (20,000 optional) ▲ |
| Spindle Taper / Nose | CAT50 (HSK-A100 optional) | CAT40 (HSK-63) |
| Tool Capacity | 204 ▲ | 60 tools (40, 134, 219, 311 optional) |
| Tool Change (tool-to-tool) | 2.2 sec (12kg) / 3.3 sec (35kg) | 0.9 sec ▲ |
| Rapid Traverse | 54,000 mm/min | 60,000 mm/min (2,362 ipm) ▲ |
Advantages
Makino a120nx
- 1,900 x 1,600 x 1,700 mm of travel against 560 x 640 x 640 mm
- 3,000 kg standard load (5,000 kg optional) against 400 kg (880 lb)
- 204 tools standard against 60
- CAT50 taper, with HSK-A100 as an option, for heavy roughing in steel and iron
Makino a51nx
- 14,000 rpm standard spindle against 8,000 rpm
- 0.9 sec tool change against 2.2 sec
- 60,000 mm/min (2,362 ipm) rapids against 54,000 mm/min
- Optional magazines of 134, 219 or 311 tools
Verdict
Choose by part size. The Makino a120nx is for large castings and fabrications that need 1,900 mm of X travel, a 3,000 kg load and heavy roughing on a CAT50 spindle. The Makino a51nx is for high-volume production of small prismatic parts on 400 x 400 mm pallets, where its 0.9 sec tool change and 14,000 rpm spindle count most on parts with many short drilling and tapping operations.