Amada EM-ZRT 3612

$350,000 - $500,000 (new, depending on tooling and automation) Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

Weight

Approx. 18,500 kg (40,785 lbs)

Accuracy

±0.05 mm

working area

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

max punching force

200 kN (22.5 tons)

max stroke rate

600 strokes/min

max sheet thickness

6.35 mm (0.25 in) mild steel

Overview

The Amada EM-ZRT 3612 is Amada's flagship servo-electric CNC turret punch press, designed for high-volume sheet metal fabrication with large-format capability. The ZRT designation indicates the machine uses Amada's Zero Returnable Turret technology -- the turret indexes to any station in 0.3 seconds without returning to a home position, which eliminates wasted motion and keeps cycle times short on parts requiring many different tools.

The working area is 3,658 x 1,270 mm (144 x 50 in), which handles oversized sheets that smaller-format machines cannot. Maximum punching force is 200 kN (22.5 tons), and the servo-electric drive achieves 600 strokes per minute in standard mode. The machine handles sheet thickness up to 6.35 mm (0.25 in) in mild steel. The auto-index turret carries up to 58 tool stations when fully loaded with multi-tool holders, giving shops extensive tool capacity without manual intervention.

Amada's ID (Intelligent Drive) servo system delivers precise ram control with variable stroke profiles, enabling clean forming, tapping, and countersinking operations in the same setup as punching. The machine includes Amada's AMNC 3i touchscreen control with 18.5-inch display, tool management software, and direct connectivity to Amada's network programming systems. Energy consumption runs about 5.5 kW average during production -- roughly one-third of what a comparable hydraulic turret punch draws. New EM-ZRT 3612 machines price between $350,000 and $500,000 depending on tooling and automation configuration.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Working Area	3,658 x 1,270 mm (144 x 50 in)
Max Punching Force	200 kN (22.5 tons)
Max Stroke Rate	600 strokes/min
Max Sheet Thickness	6.35 mm (0.25 in) mild steel
Tool Stations	Up to 58 (with multi-tool holders)
Turret Index Time	0.3 seconds (any station)
Turret Type	Zero Returnable Turret (ZRT)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.05 mm
Traverse Speed	100 m/min
Drive Type	Servo-electric (ID system)
CNC Control	AMNC 3i (18.5-inch touchscreen)
Avg Power Consumption	5.5 kW
Machine Weight	Approx. 18,500 kg (40,785 lbs)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Zero Returnable Turret indexes to any station in 0.3 seconds -- eliminates wasted turret rotation on complex parts
58-station capacity with multi-tool holders means fewer tool changes and more unattended run time
Large 3,658 x 1,270 mm work area handles oversized sheets that medium-format machines cannot process
Servo-electric ID drive provides precise ram control for clean forming, tapping, and countersinking in one setup
5.5 kW average power consumption is roughly one-third of comparable hydraulic turret punches
AMNC 3i control with tool management software simplifies programming and reduces setup errors

Limitations

Large footprint requires significant floor space -- not practical for shops with tight layouts
Price tag of $350,000-$500,000 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
Amada-specific tooling ecosystem means you're locked into their tool catalog and pricing

Best For

High-volume sheet metal fabricators processing large-format sheets in HVAC, enclosures, and electrical panels Job shops needing maximum tool capacity (58 stations) for diverse part mix without constant tool swapping Operations replacing aging hydraulic turret punches and seeking energy savings from servo-electric technology Fabricators running lights-out or extended shifts who need reliable unattended production Shops processing oversized panels, backplanes, and chassis that exceed standard 1,250 mm sheet widths

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does an Amada EM-ZRT 3612 cost?

New EM-ZRT 3612 machines typically price between $350,000 and $500,000 depending on tooling package, automation level, and options. With full automation including load/unload systems and part sorting, the installed cost can exceed $600,000. Used machines from 2015-2020 trade in the $150,000-$280,000 range depending on hours and condition.

02 What is the Zero Returnable Turret (ZRT)?

The ZRT allows the turret to index directly to any tool station in 0.3 seconds without first returning to a home position. Traditional turret punches rotate sequentially, so reaching a distant station takes longer. The ZRT calculates the shortest path to any station, which significantly reduces non-productive time on parts requiring many different tools.

03 How does the EM-ZRT 3612 compare to the Trumpf TruPunch 3000?

The EM-ZRT 3612 offers a larger working area (3,658 x 1,270 mm vs 2,500 x 1,250 mm standard), more tool stations (58 vs 21), and higher punching force (200 kN vs 180 kN). The TruPunch 3000 counters with faster stroke rates (1,000 vs 600 hits/min) and Trumpf's scratch-free processing capability. The Amada favors tool capacity and sheet size; the Trumpf favors speed and surface quality.

04 Can the EM-ZRT 3612 perform forming operations?

Yes. The servo-electric ID drive provides precise ram depth control for forming operations including louvers, lances, countersinks, embossments, and ribs. The machine can also tap threads using Amada's tapping tools. Combining punching and forming in one setup eliminates secondary operations and reduces handling.