Breton Ultrix 1024
Key Specifications
Spindle Taper
Table Size
Weight
Rapid Traverse
Spindle Power
Accuracy
Overview
The Breton Ultrix 1024 is an Italian 5-axis CNC machining center/router hybrid from Breton S.p.A. of Castello di Godego, Veneto, that occupies a unique position in the market — it is genuinely capable of both high-speed composite routing and precision metal milling, unlike conventional routers that are built only for composite work. Breton has built its reputation on the Natrix line of composite machining centers used by Formula 1 and aerospace manufacturers, and the Ultrix 1024 extends that philosophy into a more cost-accessible format for composite fabrication shops entering 5-axis machining.
The Ultrix 1024 features a thermosymmetric Bretonstone mineral casting structure — a material Breton developed and patented — that provides vibration damping superior to welded steel and approaching cast iron, at lower weight. This structural foundation is what allows the Ultrix 1024 to behave more like a machining center than a router when cutting aluminum or fiber-reinforced composite laminates. The machine maintains positional accuracy under the dynamic loads of 5-axis contouring that would cause a lighter router structure to deflect and leave surface errors.
The 5-axis head on the Ultrix 1024 uses a fork-type electrospindle configuration with full simultaneous 5-axis interpolation. Spindle speeds reach 24,000 RPM standard, with higher-speed options available. The spindle power is sufficient for aluminum roughing in addition to composite routing, making the Ultrix 1024 genuinely useful in aerospace facilities where both material types are present. The Heidenhain TNC or Siemens Sinumerik control provides RTCP compensation for accurate 5-axis simultaneous work.
Breton markets the Ultrix 1024 to aerospace composite shops, automotive motorsport fabricators, and model-and-pattern shops that need true 5-axis machining quality from a platform that can also handle the large-format routing tasks that a machining center cannot. The 1024 designation refers to the 1,000 x 2,400 mm table format, though other table size configurations are available. Breton is well-regarded in European aerospace and Formula 1 communities for the quality and accuracy of their composite machining systems.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Machine Type | 5-axis CNC router/machining center (Bretonstone mineral casting) |
| Table Size | 1,000 x 2,400 mm (39.4 x 94.5 in) standard |
| X Travel | 2,600 mm (102 in) |
| Y Travel | 1,200 mm (47 in) |
| Z Travel | 700 mm (27.6 in) |
| A Axis Range | +/- 120° |
| C Axis Range | 360° continuous |
| Spindle Speed | 24,000 RPM standard (higher options available) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 28 kW (37.5 hp) |
| Spindle Taper | HSK-63F |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 40 m/min (1,575 ipm) |
| CNC Control | Heidenhain TNC 640 or Siemens Sinumerik 840D |
| Positioning Accuracy | 0.01 mm |
| Frame | Bretonstone mineral composite casting |
| Machine Weight | Approximately 12,000 kg (26,460 lb) |
| Manufacturer | Akyapak |
| Model | 3ADM 1200 |
Specifications sourced from machinio.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Bretonstone mineral casting provides vibration damping far superior to welded steel, enabling true machining-center accuracy during 5-axis contouring in composites and aluminum
- Genuine dual-capability for composite routing and aluminum milling from a single machine — reduces capital investment for shops working with both materials
- Heidenhain TNC 640 control with RTCP is the preferred platform in European aerospace and motorsport for high-accuracy 5-axis simultaneous machining
- Breton's motorsport and aerospace pedigree (Formula 1 teams, major aerospace OEMs) provides validated performance data in the most demanding composite machining environments
Limitations
- Table size is more limited than large-format dedicated composite routers like the CMS Poseidon — the 1024 format is not suitable for full boat hull panels or very large aerospace skins
- Mineral casting structure makes the machine considerably heavier than welded steel alternatives, increasing installation requirements and floor loading specifications
- Italian manufacture means longer North American lead times and service response versus domestically supported machines; spare parts supply can be slower
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Bretonstone is Breton's proprietary mineral composite casting material, made from granite aggregate bound with epoxy resin. It provides vibration damping approximately 8-10 times better than cast iron and far superior to welded steel. For a 5-axis router, this damping translates to better surface finish, longer tool life, and the ability to maintain accuracy during aggressive 5-axis contouring that would cause a lighter router structure to vibrate and chatter.
02
Yes, within its envelope. The 28 kW spindle and Bretonstone structure provide enough power and rigidity to rough aluminum at reasonable material removal rates. However, the Ultrix 1024 is not a dedicated aluminum machining center and will not match the throughput of a heavy-duty gantry mill for structural aluminum parts. It is best suited for mixed applications where composites dominate and aluminum operations are secondary.
03
The Breton Natrix is Breton's high-end 5-axis composite machining center used by Formula 1 teams and major aerospace manufacturers. The Natrix is larger, heavier, and more capable — and priced accordingly. The Ultrix 1024 is a more accessible entry point into Breton's composite machining philosophy, sharing the Bretonstone structure and 5-axis head technology but in a smaller format at lower cost.
04
Primary users include aerospace composite fabricators, Formula 1 and motorsport teams, automotive composite development centers, mold and tooling shops, and model makers. The machine is particularly well-represented in European aerospace supply chains where the combination of accuracy and composite routing capability commands a premium.
05
The Ultrix 1024 supports full 5-axis simultaneous interpolation with RTCP compensation on both the Heidenhain TNC 640 and Siemens Sinumerik 840D control options. This enables true simultaneous contouring on compound-curved surfaces — critical for trimming aerospace panels and machining the complex geometry of motorsport aerodynamic components.
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