Chiron FZ 16S Five Axis
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Chiron FZ 16S Five Axis is a high-dynamic production 5-axis machining center that combines Chiron's signature speed characteristics with a mid-range work envelope suitable for aerospace structural components, medical implants, and precision automotive parts. The FZ designation indicates single-spindle configuration, and the S denotes the swivel-head 5-axis arrangement with a 2-axis tilt-rotary table.
With X/Y/Z travels of 550 x 400 x 425 mm, the FZ 16S Five Axis handles small-to-medium workpieces up to 700 mm diameter and 360 kg on the direct-drive rotary table. The rigid gantry design with mineral-cast machine bed provides vibration damping and stiffness beyond conventional cast-iron construction. Linear direct drives on all three linear axes eliminate backlash entirely and deliver acceleration rates that significantly exceed ball-screw machines.
Spindle options span the full performance spectrum: the standard HSK-A63 at 20,000 RPM for high-speed aluminum work, high-speed options reaching 40,000 RPM for micro-features and fine finishing, and an HSK-A100 variant delivering 400 Nm of torque for aggressive roughing in steel, titanium, and Inconel. The pick-up tool changer accommodates up to 162 tools, loading and unloading during machining time to keep the spindle productive.
The FZ 16S Five Axis occupies just 3.1 m2 of floor space — one of the most compact footprints available for a production 5-axis machine of this capability. Water-cooled drives on all axes and the spindle maintain thermal stability across extended production shifts. The machine runs on Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl. Competitors include the Grob G350, Hermle C 22 U, and DMG Mori DMU 50. New machines price between $400,000 and $575,000, with used units from 2017-2022 trading 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 | 162 |
| 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 |
| Max Tool Diameter | 700 mm |
| Max Tool Weight | 360 kg |
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 outperform ball-screw machines for reduced non-cutting time
- 3.1 m2 floor footprint is exceptionally compact for a production 5-axis machine, maximizing spindle density on the shop floor
- Mineral-cast machine bed with rigid gantry design delivers vibration damping and stiffness superior to cast-iron frames for better surface finish
- Up to 162-tool magazine with pick-up changer loads during machining time, keeping the spindle productive on complex multi-tool parts
- HSK-A100 option with 400 Nm torque enables heavy roughing in titanium and Inconel alongside high-speed aluminum on the same platform
- Water-cooled drives on all five axes and spindle provide thermal stability for tight-tolerance production across extended shifts
Limitations
- 400 mm Y-axis and 425 mm Z-axis travel limit the machine to small-to-medium parts, excluding large structural components
- Linear direct drive maintenance requires Chiron-specific service expertise that may not be locally available in all regions
- Chiron's North American service and sales network is smaller than major competitors like Mazak, DMG Mori, or Okuma
- At 8,700 kg for its travel range, the FZ 16S is heavy for its size, requiring careful foundation planning
- Base price starting at $400,000 is premium for the work envelope compared to similarly sized machines from Asian manufacturers
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
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 pushes the price to $500,000-$575,000. Used units from 2017-2022 trade between $200,000 and $375,000.
02
Linear direct drives eliminate ball screws entirely, removing backlash, reducing mechanical wear, and providing higher acceleration and velocity. This translates to faster positioning, more precise contouring, and lower maintenance. The trade-off is higher initial cost and specialized service requirements.
03
The Grob G350 has a larger work envelope (600x855x750 vs 550x400x425 mm) and horizontal spindle for chip evacuation. The FZ 16S counters with linear direct drives, mineral-cast bed, and a more compact 3.1 m2 footprint. The G350 handles larger parts; the FZ 16S is faster on small-to-medium parts.
04
Yes, particularly with the HSK-A100 spindle option delivering 400 Nm of torque. The rigid gantry construction and mineral-cast bed provide the stiffness for high cutting forces. Water-cooled drives maintain thermal stability during long machining cycles in these demanding materials.
05
Chiron offers the DZ 16 as the dual-spindle variant of the Series 16 platform. The DZ 16 machines two parts simultaneously using the same program, doubling throughput for identical parts. The single-spindle FZ 16S is more flexible for mixed-part production and job shop work.
06
The FZ 16S runs on Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl, the industry-standard high-performance CNC for 5-axis machining. This control provides the interpolation speed and accuracy needed for simultaneous 5-axis contouring with linear direct drives.
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