Chiron FZ 16S

$400,000 - $575,000 Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

X Travel

550 mm (21.7 in)

Y Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Z Travel

425 mm (16.7 in)

Max Spindle

20,000 RPM standard (up to 40,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

HSK-A63 standard (HSK-A100 optional)

Tool Capacity

48 standard (up to 162 optional)

Overview

The Chiron FZ 16S is a high-dynamic 5-axis machining center built for production environments where speed, precision, and compact footprint are non-negotiable. With X/Y/Z travels of 550 x 400 x 425 mm (21.7 x 15.7 x 16.7 in) and a 2-axis tilt-rotary table with direct drives, the FZ 16S delivers 5-axis simultaneous machining with the speed characteristics that have made Chiron a standard in aerospace structural component production.

The machine features a rigid gantry design with a mineral-cast machine bed for vibration damping and thermal stability. Linear direct drives on X, Y, and Z axes eliminate backlash and provide acceleration rates that exceed ball-screw machines. Spindle options include the standard HSK-A63 at 20,000 RPM and high-speed options up to 40,000 RPM, as well as an HSK-A100 variant with 400 Nm of torque for heavy steel and titanium cutting. The A and C rotary axes use direct drives for maximum dynamics with workpiece capacity up to 700 mm diameter and 360 kg.

The compact 3.1 m2 floor footprint makes the FZ 16S one of the most space-efficient production 5-axis machines available. Tool management supports up to 162 tools with a pick-up style changer that loads and unloads during machining time. Water-cooled drives on all axes and the milling spindle provide thermal stability across long production shifts. The machine runs on Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl control. Competitors include the Grob G350, DMG Mori DMU 65, and Heller HF 3500. New FZ 16S machines price between $400,000 and $575,000. Used units from 2017-2022 trade between $200,000 and $375,000.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	550 mm (21.7 in)
Y-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	425 mm (16.7 in)
Max Spindle Speed	20,000 RPM standard (up to 40,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	HSK-A63 standard (HSK-A100 optional)
Spindle Torque	Up to 400 Nm (295 ft-lb) with HSK-A100 option
A Axis Range	Direct drive tilt axis
C Axis Range	360° continuous direct drive
Max Workpiece Diameter	700 mm (27.6 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	360 kg (794 lb)
Table Diameter	280 mm (11.0 in) rotary table
Tool Capacity	48 standard (up to 162 optional)
Axis Drives	Linear direct drives on X, Y, Z; direct drives on A, C
Machine Bed	Mineral cast
Machine Weight	8,700 kg (19,180 lb)
Machine Footprint	3.1 m² floor area
CNC Control	Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl
Thermal Management	Water-cooled drives on all axes and spindle
English	Greek
Chiron	Î§ÎµÎ¯ÏÏÎ½ (translit. CheÃrÅn)
Phonetic	IPA
Kahy Ron	/ËkaÉª rÉn/
Father	Mother
Cronus	Philyra
Brothers	Sisters
Hadeszeusposeidon	HeraDemeterHestia
Daughters	Son
Endeishippoocyrhoe	Carystus

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Linear direct drives on all linear axes eliminate backlash and provide acceleration rates that significantly exceed ball-screw machines, reducing non-cutting time on production jobs
3.1 m2 floor footprint is exceptionally compact for a production 5-axis machine, maximizing spindle density per square meter of shop floor
Mineral-cast machine bed combined with rigid gantry design provides vibration damping and stiffness that exceeds cast-iron frames, improving surface finish and tool life
Up to 162-tool magazine with pick-up changer that loads during machining time keeps the spindle productive without waiting for tool exchange
HSK-A100 option with 400 Nm torque enables aggressive roughing in steel, titanium, and Inconel alongside high-speed aluminum work on the same platform
Water-cooled drives on all five axes and the spindle provide thermal stability for tight-tolerance work across extended production shifts

Limitations

400 mm Y-axis and 425 mm Z-axis travel limit the FZ 16S to small-to-medium parts, excluding large structural components that require more work envelope
Linear direct drive maintenance requires specialized Chiron service expertise that may not be locally available in all regions, unlike simpler ball-screw repairs
Chiron's North American service and sales network is smaller than Mazak, DMG Mori, or Okuma, which can affect lead times for service and parts in some areas
At 8,700 kg for a machine with relatively compact travel, the FZ 16S is heavy for its size, requiring careful foundation planning

Best For

Aerospace manufacturers producing small-to-medium structural components from aluminum and titanium where cycle time and surface finish quality are paramount Medical device companies machining implants and instruments from titanium and cobalt-chrome requiring 5-axis simultaneous capability with high dynamics Automotive tier-1 suppliers needing high-volume 5-axis production of turbocharger housings, brake components, and precision castings with minimal cycle time Shops with limited floor space that need maximum 5-axis capability in the smallest possible footprint for dense production cell layouts Precision component manufacturers in optics and semiconductor equipment where linear direct drives and mineral-cast bed provide the accuracy and finish required

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Chiron FZ 16S cost?

New FZ 16S five-axis machines start around $400,000 for a base configuration. Adding the HSK-A100 high-torque spindle, expanded 162-tool magazine, high-pressure through-spindle coolant, probing, and automation interface can push the price to $500,000-$575,000. Used FZ 16S units from 2017-2022 trade between $200,000 and $375,000 depending on spindle option and configuration.

02 What are the advantages of linear direct drives?

Linear direct drives eliminate the ball screw entirely, removing backlash, reducing mechanical wear, and providing higher acceleration and velocity than ball-screw systems. This translates to faster non-cutting moves, more precise contouring, and lower maintenance over the machine's life. The trade-off is higher initial cost and the need for specialized service. For production environments, the speed and accuracy advantages justify the investment.

03 How does the FZ 16S compare to the Grob G350?

Both are compact production 5-axis machines. The G350 has a larger work envelope (600x855x750 vs 550x400x425 mm) and horizontal spindle for chip evacuation. The FZ 16S counters with linear direct drives for higher dynamics, mineral-cast bed for vibration damping, and a more compact 3.1 m2 footprint. The G350 handles larger parts; the FZ 16S is faster on small-to-medium parts. Choice depends on part size and whether chip evacuation or cycle time is the priority.

04 Can the FZ 16S handle titanium?

Yes, particularly with the HSK-A100 spindle option delivering 400 Nm of torque. The rigid gantry construction and mineral-cast bed provide the stiffness needed for titanium's high cutting forces. Water-cooled drives maintain thermal stability during long titanium machining cycles. The FZ 16S is used by aerospace manufacturers specifically for small-to-medium titanium structural components and medical implants.

05 What is the pick-up tool changer?

Chiron's pick-up tool change system has the spindle move to a tool magazine position, exchange the tool, and return — rather than using a separate tool change arm. This design is simpler mechanically (fewer moving parts) and allows the magazine to be loaded and unloaded during machining time. Tool change speed is competitive with arm-type changers, and the reduced mechanical complexity improves long-term reliability.

06 Is the FZ 16S available in a dual-spindle configuration?

Chiron offers the DZ 16 as the dual-spindle variant of the Series 16 platform. The DZ 16 has two spindles machining simultaneously, effectively doubling throughput for symmetrical or identical parts. This is popular in automotive production where two parts are machined per cycle. The single-spindle FZ 16S is more flexible for job shops and mixed-part production.