Amada EM 3612 ZRTe

$400,000 - $600,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

Weight

Approx. 19,000 kg (41,888 lb)

Accuracy

+/-0.05 mm

working area

3,658 x 1,270 mm (144 x 50 in)

max punching force

330 kN (33 tons)

max stroke rate

600+ strokes/min

max sheet thickness

6.35 mm (0.25 in) mild steel

Overview

The Amada EM 3612 ZRTe is the current-generation flagship servo-electric CNC turret punch press in Amada’s lineup, featuring the Zero Returnable Turret (ZRT) and the ’e’ designation indicating the latest control platform and automation enhancements. The 3612 format provides a working area of 3,658 x 1,270 mm (144 x 50 in), handling oversized sheets up to 10 feet in length without repositioning -- a critical advantage for fabricators processing large panels, enclosures, and chassis components.

The ZRTe turret indexes to any tool station in 0.3 seconds without returning to a home position, eliminating wasted motion on parts requiring many different tools. Maximum punching force is 330 kN (33 tons) from the twin AC servo drives, and the machine achieves hit rates exceeding 600 strokes per minute. The machine handles mild steel up to 6.35 mm (0.25 in) thick at full tonnage. Tool storage capacity reaches 179 or 300 tools with the optional Tool Storage Unit (TSU), housing up to 300 tools and 600 dies -- enabling extended unattended production runs without manual tool loading.

The EM 3612 ZRTe includes integrated tapping stations, brush table for scratch-free processing, and Amada’s Intelligent Drive (ID) system for precise ram control during forming, countersinking, and marking operations. The AMNC 4ie control provides the latest touchscreen interface with tool management software and Industry 4.0 connectivity.

New EM 3612 ZRTe machines price between $400,000 and $600,000 depending on tooling package and automation. The machine competes directly with the Trumpf TruPunch 3000, Prima Power Punch Genius, and Murata Wiedemann punch presses.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Working Area	3,658 x 1,270 mm (144 x 50 in)
Max Punching Force	330 kN (33 tons)
Max Stroke Rate	600+ strokes/min
Max Sheet Thickness	6.35 mm (0.25 in) mild steel
Tool Storage	179 or 300 tools with TSU (up to 300 tools / 600 dies)
Turret Type	Zero Returnable Turret (ZRT)
Turret Index Time	0.3 seconds (any station)
Positioning Accuracy	+/-0.05 mm
Traverse Speed	100 m/min
Drive Type	Twin AC servo-electric
CNC Control	Amada AMNC 4ie (touchscreen)
Table Type	Brush table (scratch-free processing)
Integrated Tapping	Yes
Machine Weight	Approx. 19,000 kg (41,888 lb)

Specifications sourced from amada.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

330 kN (33 tons) punching force is significantly higher than the 200 kN on older EM-ZRT models -- handles larger tools and thicker material
Zero Returnable Turret indexes to any station in 0.3 seconds -- eliminates wasted turret rotation on complex parts
Up to 300 tools / 600 dies with TSU provides massive tool capacity for extended unattended production
Large 3,658 x 1,270 mm work area processes 10-foot sheets without repositioning
Twin AC servo drives are more powerful and energy-efficient than single-servo predecessors
Brush table prevents scratching on decorative and pre-finished material

Limitations

Large footprint requires significant floor space -- not practical for shops with tight layouts
$400K-$600K price tag puts it out of reach for smaller fabrication shops
600 strokes/min max hit rate is moderate -- dedicated high-speed punch presses can exceed 1,000 hits/min
6.35 mm max thickness limits the machine to sheet metal -- no thick plate capability

Best For

High-volume sheet metal fabricators processing large-format sheets in HVAC, enclosures, and electrical panels Job shops needing maximum tool capacity for diverse part mix without constant tool swapping Operations replacing aging hydraulic turret punches seeking energy savings from servo-electric technology Fabricators processing pre-finished or decorative materials requiring scratch-free handling Shops running lights-out or extended shifts needing reliable unattended production

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between the EM 3612 ZRTe and the older EM-ZRT 3612?

The ZRTe is the current-generation model with higher punching force (330 kN vs 200 kN), AMNC 4ie control (vs AMNC 3i), enhanced automation integration, and Industry 4.0 connectivity. The core ZRT turret technology is the same.

02 What does the Tool Storage Unit (TSU) do?

The TSU automatically loads and unloads tools from the turret, expanding effective tool capacity from the turret stations to 179 or 300 tools. This enables the machine to run complex programs requiring many different tools without operator intervention for tool changes.

03 Can the EM 3612 ZRTe perform forming operations?

Yes. The ID servo drive provides precise ram depth control for forming operations including louvers, lances, countersinks, embossments, ribs, and tapping. Combining punching and forming in one setup eliminates secondary operations.

04 How does the EM 3612 ZRTe compare to the Trumpf TruPunch 3000?

The EM 3612 ZRTe offers a larger working area (3,658 x 1,270 mm vs 2,500 x 1,250 mm), more tool capacity (up to 300 vs 21), and higher punching force (330 kN vs 180 kN). The TruPunch counters with faster stroke rates (1,000+ vs 600 hits/min) and Trumpf scratch-free processing. Choose the Amada for tool capacity and sheet size; choose the Trumpf for speed.