Chiron FZ 18S

Est. $425,000 - $600,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · chiron-group.com Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

X Travel

730 mm

Y Travel

565 mm

Z Travel

630 mm

Max Spindle

10,500 – 15,000 rpm

Spindle Taper

SK40 / HSK-A63

Tool Capacity

12 | 20

How much does the Chiron FZ 18S cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$425,000 - $600,000

Our best estimate for a 5-axis machining center in this class — not a quote from Chiron. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Chiron FZ 18S is a single-spindle machining center with 730 × 565 × 630 mm of travel and the strongest spindle range among its neighbours: 140 – 290 Nm, with maximum speeds of 10,500 – 15,000 rpm, on SK40 or HSK-A63.

Compare that with the FZ 16S, which is listed at 86 – 208 Nm and 12,500 – 20,000 rpm. The bottom of the FZ 18S torque range sits above the bottom of the FZ 16S range by more than half, and the top is about 40% higher. In return the speed ceiling is lower.

What the figures suggest is a machine set up for steel and cast iron with mid-size cutters, where torque at moderate speed does the work, more than for small tools in aluminium that want every last rpm. The sheet rows give no power rating and do not pair the speeds with the torques, so the curve of the chosen spindle should be seen before cutting data is fixed.

The tool changer limits the cutter, though. Tools may weigh up to 5.0 kg and measure about 220 mm in length, with 65 mm of diameter when the basket is full and 180 mm when the adjacent places are empty. A heavy shell mill on a long arbor can exceed the weight limit before it exceeds what the spindle could drive.

Around the spindle the machine is quick: 75 m/min rapids, 10 m/s² on all three axes and 1.7 s chip to chip. The basket holds 12 or 20 tools.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Tool Changer	Basket tool changer
X-Axis Travel	730 mm
Y-Axis Travel	565 mm
Z-Axis Travel	630 mm
Chip to Chip Time	1.7 s
Spindle Count	1
Max Spindle Speed	10,500 – 15,000 rpm
Spindle Torque	140 – 290 Nm
Spindle Taper	SK40 / HSK-A63
Tool Capacity	12 \| 20
Max Tool Diameter (full magazine)	65 mm
Max Tool Diameter (adjacent pockets empty)	180 mm
Max Tool Length	ca. 220 mm
Max Tool Weight	5.0 kg
Rapid Traverse Rate	75 – 75 – 75 m/min (X – Y – Z)
Axis Acceleration	10 – 10 – 10 m/s² (X – Y – Z)

Specifications sourced from chiron-group.com — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Listed spindle torque of 140 – 290 Nm, the top figure about 40% above the 208 Nm maximum of the FZ 16S
Choice of SK40 or HSK-A63 spindle taper
1.7 s chip-to-chip time with the basket tool changer
730 mm of X, 565 mm of Y and 630 mm of Z travel on a single-spindle machine
10 m/s² acceleration on X, Y and Z, with 75 m/min rapid traverse

Limitations

Maximum speed tops out at 15,000 rpm; the FZ 16S range reaches 20,000 rpm
Tool weight limit of 5.0 kg restricts large cutters despite the torque on offer
12 or 20 tool places leave little room for sister tooling
No spindle power figure appears in the sheet rows

Best For

Steel and cast-iron milling that needs torque in the 140 – 290 Nm range Parts within 730 × 565 × 630 mm that run on 20 tools or fewer Drilling and tapping cycles that benefit from a 1.7 s tool change Shops standardised on SK40 or HSK-A63 holders

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How much torque does the FZ 18S spindle have?

Chiron lists 140 – 290 Nm, with maximum speeds of 10,500 – 15,000 rpm. The range implies several spindle versions. The sheet rows do not say which torque goes with which speed and do not give a power rating, so request the torque and power curve for the spindle in the quotation.

02 Is the FZ 18S or the FZ 16S the better choice for heavy milling?

On the listed figures the FZ 18S, with 140 – 290 Nm against the 86 – 208 Nm of the FZ 16S. The FZ 16S counters with speeds up to 20,000 rpm, tools up to 10.0 kg and a chain magazine of 42 – 162 tools, so it suits larger tool sets and higher spindle speeds.

03 What tool sizes can the basket tool changer handle?

Up to 65 mm in diameter with every place filled and 180 mm with the adjacent places empty. Tool length is about 220 mm and tool weight up to 5.0 kg. The changer holds 12 or 20 tools and swaps them in 1.7 s chip to chip.

04 What is the difference between the FZ 18S and the FZ 18W?

The rows of Chiron's sheet shown for the two pages are identical: same travels, spindle range, basket tool changer and axis dynamics. Whatever separates the variants is not captured in those rows, so ask Chiron for the full data of each before choosing.

05 How fast are the FZ 18S axes?

X, Y and Z all rapid at 75 m/min and accelerate at 10 m/s². With equal figures on every axis, positioning time depends only on distance, which keeps cycle-time estimates simple for hole patterns spread across the 730 mm by 565 mm working area.