Chiron FZ 12W

$300,000 - $400,000 Updated 2025-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

380 mm (15.0 in)

Y Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Z Travel

330 mm (13.0 in)

Max Spindle

Up to 40,000 RPM

Spindle Taper

HSK-E40 or HSK-A63

Tool Capacity

Up to 37 tools

Overview

The Chiron FZ 12W is a single-spindle vertical machining center with integrated workpiece changer, combining the Series 12 platform's high-speed performance with automated part loading and unloading during the machining cycle. The "FZ" indicates single spindle, and the "W" designates the Werkstuckwechsler (workpiece changer) that swaps fixtures while the spindle cuts, driving spindle utilization rates above 90%.

The FZ 12W features X/Y/Z travels of approximately 380 x 400 x 330 mm, matching the FZ 12S envelope. The motorspindle reaches up to 40,000 RPM with HSK-E40 or HSK-A63 options, providing the same high-speed cutting capability. Rapid traverse speeds reach up to 100 m/min. What sets the W variant apart is the integrated workpiece changer that allows an operator or robot to load raw material and unload finished parts while the spindle is cutting the next part.

The workpiece changer effectively eliminates load/unload time from the cycle, since parts are exchanged outside the machining zone while cutting continues. On short-cycle parts where load/unload time represents a significant percentage of total cycle time, this translates to meaningful throughput gains. The mineral-cast machine bed maintains the vibration damping and thermal stability of the standard Series 12.

The pick-up tool changer handles up to 37 tools with sub-2.5-second chip-to-chip times. The machine runs on Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl and is designed for production environments where maximizing spindle running time is critical. Competitors include the Makino a51nx, Brother Speedio with pallet changer, and Okuma MB-46VAE with APC. New FZ 12W machines typically price between $300,000 and $400,000.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	380 mm (15.0 in)
Y-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	330 mm (13.0 in)
Max Spindle Speed	Up to 40,000 RPM
Spindle Taper	HSK-E40 or HSK-A63
Tool Capacity	Up to 37 tools
Chip To Chip	< 2.5 sec
Rapid Traverse Rate	Up to 100 m/min (3,937 ipm)
Workpiece Changer	Integrated 2-station
Machine Bed	Mineral cast
Machine Design	Compact gantry with workpiece changer
CNC Control	Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl
Thermal Management	Water-cooled drives

Specifications sourced from chiron-group.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Integrated workpiece changer enables part loading during machining, pushing spindle utilization above 90% by eliminating load/unload downtime
Up to 40,000 RPM spindle provides the same high-speed cutting capability as the FZ 12S for aluminum and precision finishing
On short-cycle parts, the workpiece changer can increase throughput by 15-30% compared to machines without part exchange automation
Mineral-cast bed maintains vibration damping and thermal stability for consistent precision during continuous production
100 m/min rapid traverse minimizes non-cutting time, compounding the throughput advantage from the workpiece changer
Single-spindle flexibility allows different parts to be run on alternating pallets, unlike the DZ dual-spindle variants

Limitations

Workpiece changer adds approximately $25,000-$50,000 to the base price compared to the standard FZ 12S
380 x 400 x 330 mm travel limits the machine to small parts only
37-tool magazine may constrain complex parts requiring extensive tooling
The workpiece changer's throughput advantage is most significant on short-cycle parts — on long-cycle parts, the benefit diminishes
Additional mechanical complexity of the workpiece changer adds maintenance requirements compared to the simpler FZ 12S

Best For

High-volume production of short-cycle small parts where load/unload time is a significant percentage of total cycle time Automotive production cells producing sensor housings, fittings, and connectors where spindle utilization drives cost per part Medical device manufacturers running continuous production of small components where downtime for loading cannot be tolerated Shops that want automation benefits without the complexity and cost of a full robotic cell or the DZ dual-spindle approach Production environments with dedicated operators who can load/unload parts outside the machining zone during the cutting cycle Mixed-part production where different parts can alternate on the workpiece changer pallets for flexible automated output

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Chiron FZ 12W cost?

New FZ 12W machines typically price between $300,000 and $400,000. The workpiece changer adds a premium over the standard FZ 12S. The ROI comes from increased spindle utilization and throughput, particularly on short-cycle parts where load/unload time is a large percentage of the total cycle.

02 How does the workpiece changer work?

The workpiece changer has two stations — one inside the machining zone and one outside. While the spindle machines the part on the inside station, the operator loads raw material on the outside station. When machining completes, the changer swaps positions, immediately starting the next cut while the operator unloads the finished part.

03 When should I choose the FZ 12W over the FZ 12S?

Choose the FZ 12W when running production parts with cycle times under 3-5 minutes where load/unload time represents 10% or more of total cycle time. On short-cycle parts, the workpiece changer can increase throughput by 15-30%. On long-cycle parts (10+ minutes), the improvement is marginal.

04 Can the FZ 12W run different parts on each pallet?

Yes. Unlike the DZ dual-spindle machines that must run identical parts, the FZ 12W's single spindle can run different programs on alternating pallets. This provides production flexibility while still benefiting from the workpiece changer's spindle utilization advantage.

05 How does the FZ 12W compare to the DZ 12S?

The DZ 12S doubles output by machining two identical parts simultaneously. The FZ 12W increases output by eliminating load/unload downtime. The DZ 12S has higher throughput on identical parts; the FZ 12W is more flexible since it can run different parts. The DZ 12S costs more but provides greater throughput gains.