Chiron FZ 18S

$425,000 - $600,000 Updated 2025-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

730 mm (28.7 in)

Y Travel

560 mm (22.0 in)

Z Travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

Max Spindle

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

Spindle Taper

HSK-A63 standard (HSK-A100 optional)

Tool Capacity

40 standard (up to 60 optional)

Overview

The Chiron FZ 18S is a single-spindle, 5-axis machining center from the 18 Series that steps up from the 15 and 16 Series with a significantly larger work envelope. Described by Chiron as "compact, powerful, fast," the 18 Series is positioned for universal use across aerospace, automotive, and medical applications where parts have outgrown the 15/16 Series but don't require the heavy-duty capacity of larger platforms.

The FZ 18S provides X/Y/Z travels of 730 x 560 x 500 mm (28.7 x 22.0 x 19.7 in), a major step up from the FZ 16S's 550 x 400 x 425 mm. This opens the door to medium-size structural components, larger castings, and parts that simply don't fit in the smaller machines. The machine features a fast basket-type tool changer with capacity up to 60 tools, a rigid table design, and Chiron's signature linear direct drives on all linear axes for zero-backlash dynamics. Spindle options include HSK-A63 at 20,000 RPM and high-torque HSK-A100 configurations with up to 400 Nm for steel and titanium work.

The mineral-cast machine bed and water-cooled drives maintain the thermal stability and vibration damping that are hallmarks of Chiron's platform architecture. The 2-axis tilt-rotary table with direct drives handles workpieces up to 800 mm diameter and 400 kg. The control is Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl. The larger work envelope does increase the footprint compared to the 15/16 Series, but the FZ 18S remains compact relative to its travel range.

New FZ 18S machines price between $425,000 and $600,000 depending on spindle and configuration. The FZ 18S competes with the DMG Mori DMU 80 P, Hermle C 400, and Okuma MU-5000V. Its advantage over these competitors lies in Chiron's linear direct drive dynamics and compact design philosophy. Used units from 2017-2023 trade between $225,000 and $400,000.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	730 mm (28.7 in)
Y-Axis Travel	560 mm (22.0 in)
Z-Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 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	800 mm (31.5 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	400 kg (882 lb)
Tool Capacity	40 standard (up to 60 optional)
Tool Changer	Basket-type tool changer
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

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

730 mm X-travel provides a significantly larger work envelope than the 15/16 Series while maintaining Chiron's compact design philosophy
Linear direct drives on all linear axes deliver zero-backlash dynamics with higher acceleration than ball-screw competitors in this size class
Fast basket-type tool changer minimizes tool exchange time during complex multi-tool operations
HSK-A100 high-torque option with 400 Nm enables aggressive roughing in steel and titanium alongside high-speed aluminum work
800 mm workpiece diameter and 400 kg capacity handle medium-size parts that exceed smaller Chiron platforms
Mineral-cast bed and water-cooled drives provide thermal stability for tight-tolerance work across long production runs

Limitations

Larger footprint than the 15/16 Series reduces the floor-space efficiency advantage that defines smaller Chiron machines
Up to 60 tools is modest compared to competitors like the Hermle C 400 with 192-tool magazine options
Linear direct drive maintenance requires Chiron-trained service technicians who may not be locally available
Starting price around $425,000 puts it in direct competition with well-established platforms from DMG Mori and Hermle
Chiron's North American market share and service network remain smaller than the major Japanese and German competitors

Best For

Aerospace manufacturers machining medium-size structural components from aluminum and titanium that have outgrown compact 5-axis machines General-purpose 5-axis shops needing a universal platform for diverse part sizes with fast dynamics Medical device companies producing larger implants and instruments requiring 5-axis simultaneous with high surface finish Mold and die shops machining medium-size cores, cavities, and electrodes with complex 5-axis geometries Automotive prototype and low-volume production of medium-size components where flexibility and speed both matter Precision component manufacturers in energy and semiconductor equipment requiring the dynamic accuracy of linear direct drives

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Chiron FZ 18S cost?

New FZ 18S machines start around $425,000 for a base configuration. Adding the HSK-A100 high-torque spindle, expanded 60-tool magazine, through-spindle coolant, and probing can push the price to $550,000-$600,000. Used units from 2017-2023 trade between $225,000 and $400,000.

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

The FZ 18S has substantially larger travels (730 x 560 x 500 mm vs 550 x 400 x 425 mm), higher workpiece capacity (800 mm diameter, 400 kg vs 700 mm, 360 kg), but the FZ 16S has deeper tool capacity (up to 162 vs 60 tools). Choose the 18S when parts need the larger envelope; the 16S when tool count and compact footprint are priorities.

03 How does the FZ 18S compare to the Hermle C 400?

Both are medium-size 5-axis machines with mineral-cast beds and similar work envelopes. The Hermle C 400 offers more tool capacity (up to 192 tools), a gantry design for better chip evacuation, and a larger service network. The Chiron FZ 18S counters with linear direct drives for faster dynamics and typically lower cycle times on small-to-medium parts. The Hermle is often preferred for job shop flexibility; the Chiron for production dynamics.

04 Is the FZ 18S available as a twin-spindle machine?

Not exactly. The 18 Series does not have a direct DZ 18S swivel-head twin-spindle variant. However, the DZ 18W provides twin-spindle capability with a workpiece changer in the 18 Series platform. For twin-spindle swivel-head configurations, look at the DZ 15S or DZ 16S in the smaller series.

05 What materials can the FZ 18S handle?

The FZ 18S handles the full range of metals and composites. With the HSK-A63 high-speed spindle, it excels on aluminum, brass, and plastics. With the HSK-A100 high-torque option (400 Nm), it handles steel, stainless, titanium, and Inconel. The mineral-cast bed and rigid design provide the stiffness needed for hard-metal cutting.