Chiron FZ 18 S Five Axis

$450,000 - $620,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

630 mm (24.8 in)

Y Travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

Z Travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

Max Spindle

20,000 RPM standard (up to 30,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

CAT 40

Tool Capacity

Up to 120 tools

Overview

The Chiron FZ 18 S Five Axis is a single-spindle 5-axis machining center built for medium-to-large precision components, occupying the upper range of Chiron's vertical-spindle gantry platform family. The "FZ" designation denotes single-spindle configuration, and the "S" indicates the swivel-head design for simultaneous 5-axis capability. Positioned between the Series 16 and the larger Series 19 platforms, the FZ 18 S Five Axis targets manufacturers in aerospace, automotive tier-1, and precision engineering who require a production-capable 5-axis center with a broader work envelope than the FZ 16S.

The FZ 18 S Five Axis provides X/Y/Z travels of approximately 630 x 500 x 500 mm, accommodating workpieces up to approximately 800 mm diameter on the direct-drive rotary table. This envelope handles a wide range of aerospace structural components, hydraulic manifolds, gearbox housings, and complex castings that fall outside the reach of smaller Series 12 and 16 machines. The swivel-head configuration places the A and C axes at the spindle, preserving full table area for workpiece fixturing.

Spindle options on the FZ 18 S Five Axis include the high-speed HSK-A63 at 20,000 RPM for aluminum and light materials, an extended-speed option reaching 30,000 RPM, and an HSK-A100 torque spindle with up to 350 Nm for steel and titanium. Linear direct drives on all three linear axes eliminate ball-screw backlash and deliver rapid traverse rates up to 90 m/min. The mineral-cast machine bed and water-cooled drives provide the thermal stability required for tight-tolerance production over extended shifts.

The pick-up tool changer accommodates up to 120 tools. The machine runs on Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl, with the full suite of Chiron-specific programming cycles for automated feature machining. Competitors include the Grob G550, DMG Mori DMU 65, and Hermle C 42 U. New FZ 18 S Five Axis machines typically price between $450,000 and $620,000.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	630 mm (24.8 in)
Y-Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Max Spindle Speed	20,000 RPM standard (up to 30,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	CAT 40
Spindle Torque	Up to 350 Nm (258 ft-lb) with HSK-A100 option
A Axis Range	Direct drive swivel axis
C Axis Range	360° continuous direct drive
Max Workpiece Diameter	Approx. 800 mm (31.5 in)
Tool Capacity	Up to 120 tools
Rapid Traverse Rate	Up to 90 m/min (3,543 ipm)
Axis Drives	Linear direct drives on X, Y, Z; direct drives on A, C
Machine Bed	Mineral cast
CNC Control	Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl
Thermal Management	Water-cooled drives on all axes and spindle
Lowest Price	Price
Highest Price	Price
Newest Listings	Release date
Oldest Listings	Release date
Shortest Distance	Distance
Farthest Distance	Distance
Newest Year Of Manufacture	Year of construction
Oldest Year Of Manufacture	Year of construction
Latest Update	Update
Oldest Update	Update
Manufacturer A To Z	Manufacturer
Manufacturer Z To A	Manufacturer
Designation From A To Z	Description
Designation From Z To A	Description
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Manufacturer	Doosan
Model	PUMA 240B
Hours	12,099 h
Mileage	12,099 mi

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

630 x 500 x 500 mm travel steps up from the Series 16 platform to accommodate a broader range of medium-sized aerospace, automotive, and precision components
Linear direct drives on all linear axes eliminate backlash and deliver up to 90 m/min rapids for fast positioning on complex multi-feature parts
HSK-A100 torque spindle option with 350 Nm enables aggressive roughing in steel, titanium, and Inconel on the same platform as high-speed aluminum work
Up to 120-tool magazine with pick-up changer provides capacity for complex parts with many operations without manual tool intervention
Mineral-cast machine bed delivers vibration damping and thermal stability beyond cast-iron construction for consistent surface finish in production
Water-cooled drives on all axes and spindle maintain dimensional accuracy across extended production shifts in demanding materials

Limitations

At 630 x 500 x 500 mm travel, the FZ 18 S Five Axis does not reach the largest aerospace structures — the Series 22 or dedicated HMC platforms are required for those parts
Swivel-head 5-axis configuration places A and C axes in the spindle head rather than the table, which can limit table-axis dynamics compared to trunnion designs for some part geometries
Chiron's North American sales and service network is less extensive than DMG Mori, Mazak, or Okuma for this size class
Premium price point starting around $450,000 is significant for shops evaluating against Asian 5-axis alternatives with similar travel ranges
Linear direct drive maintenance requires Chiron-trained technicians, which can mean longer service response times in regions with limited Chiron presence

Best For

Aerospace manufacturers producing medium-sized structural components, ribs, brackets, and complex aluminum monolithic parts Automotive tier-1 suppliers machining gearbox housings, transmission cases, brake components, and pump bodies in 5-axis Precision engineering shops producing hydraulic manifolds, valve bodies, and complex mechanical assemblies requiring full 5-axis simultaneous capability Medical device manufacturers producing larger implant systems, surgical robotics components, and orthopedic devices requiring tight tolerances Defense and energy sector manufacturers machining medium-to-large precision components from aluminum, steel, and titanium Contract machining shops seeking a versatile 5-axis platform capable of both high-speed aluminum and heavy-duty titanium work

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Chiron FZ 18 S Five Axis cost?

New FZ 18 S Five Axis machines typically price between $450,000 and $620,000 depending on spindle selection, tool magazine capacity, and automation options. The HSK-A100 high-torque spindle and expanded 120-tool magazine represent the largest cost additions. Used units are infrequently available given the machine's production orientation.

02 How does the FZ 18 S compare to the FZ 16S Five Axis?

The FZ 18 S offers larger travels (630 x 500 x 500 mm vs 550 x 400 x 425 mm), a higher tool count (up to 120 vs 162 on the FZ 16S), and accommodates larger workpieces up to 800 mm diameter. The FZ 16S has the distinctive advantage of a 162-tool magazine in a 3.1 m2 footprint. Choose the FZ 18 S for larger parts; the FZ 16S for highest spindle density per square meter.

03 What control system does the FZ 18 S Five Axis use?

The FZ 18 S Five Axis runs Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl, the preferred control for high-performance 5-axis machining. FANUC 31i-B5 is also available as an alternative for shops standardized on FANUC. Both options provide the interpolation accuracy and feed-forward capability required for simultaneous 5-axis contouring at Chiron's rapid traverse speeds.

04 Can the FZ 18 S Five Axis handle titanium?

Yes. With the HSK-A100 spindle delivering up to 350 Nm of torque, the FZ 18 S handles sustained titanium roughing and finishing. The mineral-cast bed and rigid gantry construction provide the stiffness needed for high cutting forces. Water-cooled drives maintain thermal stability during the long cycle times typical of titanium machining.

05 What is the maximum workpiece weight for the FZ 18 S Five Axis?

The FZ 18 S Five Axis accommodates workpieces up to approximately 800 mm diameter on the rotary table. Maximum workpiece weight depends on the rotary table configuration selected, typically in the range of 400-500 kg. Chiron specifies exact limits based on the rotary axis option ordered.