CMS Antares

$600,000 - $1,200,000+ Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

HSK-63F

Rapid Traverse

40 m/min (1,575 ipm)

Spindle Power

22 kW (29.5 hp), water-cooled

Accuracy

+/- 0.05 mm

machine type

5-axis CNC machining center for aerospace composites

x travel

4,000 mm (157 in) standard, configurable

Overview

The CMS Antares is a high-precision 5-axis CNC machining center engineered specifically for aerospace composite structure manufacturing, targeting Tier 1 and Tier 2 aerospace suppliers who produce CFRP primary structure, nacelle components, control surfaces, and complex aerospace composite assemblies requiring tight dimensional tolerances and high surface quality. CMS developed the Antares as part of their aerospace composites product line, building on decades of experience in 5-axis composite routing to deliver a machine that meets the production and quality requirements of aerospace prime contractor supply chains.

The Antares is constructed on a heavily ribbed cast iron and welded steel bridge structure that provides the exceptional static rigidity and vibration damping that aerospace composite machining demands. CMS uses finite element analysis in the Antares structural design to optimize material distribution for maximum stiffness under 5-axis routing loads while managing machine weight. All axis drives use precision ballscrews or high-accuracy rack-and-pinion systems with direct linear scale feedback, providing closed-loop positioning with the accuracy and repeatability that aerospace composite dimensional requirements demand. The machine bed is thermally stabilized to minimize thermal drift during long production cycles.

The Antares 5-axis head is a fork-style electrospindle unit providing A and C axis rotation with wide angular ranges suited to aerospace composite trim programs that require drill-normal operations across complex curved structures. The high-power electrospindle is water-cooled for thermal stability during extended production cycles and is rated for continuous aerospace composite routing with abrasive CFRP and GFRP materials. CMS fits the Antares with a high-capacity tool changer to support complex aerospace programs with routing, drilling, countersinking, and inspection probing tools loaded simultaneously. An integrated Renishaw probing system provides on-machine part measurement capability for in-process quality verification.

CMS positions the Antares for aerospace production environments where machine capability must be validated against aerospace quality system requirements. The machine is compatible with NADCAP machining process requirements and CMS provides full machine capability documentation. Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl is standard, with RTCP (Rotational Tool Center Point) and the full suite of 5-axis interpolation cycles required for aerospace composite routing programs generated in CATIA, NX, and similar aerospace CAM environments.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Machine Type	5-axis CNC machining center for aerospace composites
X Travel	4,000 mm (157 in) standard, configurable
Y Travel	2,000 mm (79 in)
Z Travel	800 mm (31.5 in)
A Axis Range	+/- 120°
C Axis Range	360° continuous
Spindle Speed	Up to 24,000 RPM
Spindle Motor Power	22 kW (29.5 hp), water-cooled
Spindle Taper	HSK-63F
Rapid Traverse Rate	40 m/min (1,575 ipm)
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.05 mm
Tool Changer	Automatic, 24-position
Probing	Renishaw on-machine probing system
CNC Control	Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl with RTCP
Machine Weight	Approx. 15,000 kg (33,000 lb)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Aerospace-specific 5-axis machining center design with cast iron and welded steel bridge structure, linear scale feedback, and thermal stabilization provides the positioning accuracy and repeatability required by aerospace composite production quality systems
Integrated Renishaw on-machine probing system enables in-process part measurement for aerospace first-article inspection and production quality verification without removing parts to a CMM between machining operations
High-capacity 24-position automatic tool changer supports complex aerospace trim programs with routing, drilling, countersinking, and probing tools loaded simultaneously, enabling long lights-out production cycles
Water-cooled 22 kW spindle rated for continuous aerospace composite routing maintains consistent cutting performance and dimensional stability during multi-hour production cycles on large aerospace structure parts
NADCAP machining process compatibility and full machine capability documentation support the supplier qualification requirements of aerospace prime contractor supply chains

Limitations

At this price range and capability level, the CMS Antares competes with 5-axis machining centers from Dörries Scharmann, Forest-Liné, and MTorres that have deeper aerospace prime contractor reference bases in Europe and North America
The Antares's aerospace composite specialization makes it a narrow investment for shops that process a mixed portfolio of materials; general-purpose 5-axis machining centers offer better material flexibility at similar price points
CMS's North American service network is less extensive than European competitors with larger installed bases in North America, which can affect service response time and parts availability for US-based aerospace suppliers

Best For

Aerospace Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers producing CFRP primary structure panels, nacelle components, thrust reverser cascades, and complex aerospace composite assemblies requiring simultaneous 5-axis trimming and drill-normal fastener operations Aerospace composite aerostructure producers routing wing skin panels, fuselage sections, and tail structure components from autoclave-cured CFRP laminates where dimensional accuracy and edge quality are primary quality requirements Defense aerospace suppliers producing UAV composite airframe structures, radar transparent composite panels, and composite structural assemblies requiring both 5-axis routing capability and aerospace quality system compatibility Helicopter and rotorcraft composite manufacturers routing rotor blade tip caps, composite fuselage frames, and complex rotor system composite components requiring the combination of 5-axis accuracy and aerospace production traceability

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Is the CMS Antares compatible with NADCAP machining process requirements?

Yes. CMS designs the Antares to be compatible with NADCAP machining process certification requirements for aerospace composite machining operations. Machine capability documentation including positioning accuracy data, repeatability data, and thermal stability performance can be provided to support NADCAP audits. Customers pursuing NADCAP machining certification should discuss specific documentation requirements with CMS during the procurement process to ensure all required machine capability data is available for the audit package.

02 What is the on-machine probing capability of the Antares?

The CMS Antares includes an integrated Renishaw touch-trigger probing system installed in the automatic tool changer. On-machine probing enables first-article feature verification, in-process dimensional checks on critical features, and workpiece setup alignment without removing parts from the machine. Probing cycles are programmed through the Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control using standard Renishaw macro cycles compatible with aerospace CAM post-processors. On-machine probing does not replace CMM first-article inspection but significantly reduces the number of off-machine quality checks required during production.

03 What spindle and tooling interface does the Antares use?

The CMS Antares uses HSK-63F tool interface as standard, which is the aerospace composite routing industry standard for 5-axis electrospindle applications at this spindle power level. HSK-63F provides rigid simultaneous taper and face contact, minimizing tool runout during high-speed routing of aerospace composites. Aerospace routing tool suppliers including Sandvik Coromant, Kennametal, and specialized composite routing tool manufacturers offer full HSK-63F tooling lines compatible with the Antares spindle.

04 Can the Antares process aluminum aerospace structures alongside CFRP?

The CMS Antares is optimized for CFRP and composite routing but can perform light aluminum structure routing, trimming, and drilling for aerospace applications where both composite and aluminum components are present in an assembly fixture. For production-volume aluminum aerospace machining, a dedicated 5-axis machining center with higher spindle torque and structural rigidity for hard material cutting is recommended. Mixed composite-aluminum assemblies where both materials require routing in one setup are a well-suited Antares application.

05 How long does Antares installation and commissioning typically take?

CMS Antares installation and commissioning typically requires 3 to 6 weeks depending on configuration complexity, facility readiness, and the scope of application development required for the customer's specific part programs. Foundation and utility installation must be completed before machine delivery. CMS sends a dedicated commissioning team for machine installation, geometry verification, control setup, and initial operator training. NADCAP-related machine capability testing and documentation can be completed during commissioning if scheduled in advance.