CMS Ares 5-Axis CNC Machining Center
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Rapid Traverse
models
b axis stroke
How much does the CMS Ares 5-Axis CNC Machining Center cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a cnc router in this class — not a quote from CMS S.p.A.. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The CMS Ares 5-Axis CNC Machining Center pairs three linear axes with a B axis of ±120° and a C axis of ±270°. Travels run to 6000 mm in X and 2600 mm in Y depending on the model, with 1200 mm in Z throughout, and rapid traverse is X/Y 80 m/min and Z 70 m/min.
Start with the rotary strokes, because they decide what a 5-axis program can do. A B stroke of ±120° takes the tool beyond horizontal in either direction, so side walls and undercut features can be machined without turning the part over. The C stroke of ±270° is wide but finite. A contour that runs once round a part fits inside it, yet repeated laps in the same direction do not, and the post-processor has to plan a retract and rewind. The B axis rapid is 9000 °/min.
The published models are 3618, 4818 and 6018 with 1800 mm of Y, then 3626, 4826 and 6026 with 2600 mm of Y. X is 3600 mm, 4800 mm or 6000 mm according to the first two digits. Against the Athena, the Ares gives up some horizontal speed (the Athena rapids at X 90 m/min and Y 90 m/min) but moves faster in Z, 70 m/min against 60 m/min, and its smallest Y travel of 1800 mm sits between the Athena's 1500 mm and 2000 mm.
CMS's table stops at travels and rapids. Spindle rating, tool holder, magazine size and machine weight are absent, so request them when asking for an offer.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Models | 3618, 4818, 6018, 3626, 4826, 6026 |
| X-Axis Travel | 3600 mm (3618, 3626); 4800 mm (4818, 4826); 6000 mm (6018, 6026) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 1800 mm (3618, 4818, 6018); 2600 mm (3626, 4826, 6026) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 1200 mm |
| B Axis Stroke | ±120° |
| C Axis Stroke | ±270° |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | X/Y 80 m/min; Z 70 m/min |
| B Axis Rapid | 9000 °/min |
Specifications sourced from cms.it — verified 2026-10-03
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- B axis stroke of ±120° takes the tool past horizontal in both directions
- C axis stroke of ±270° covers one full lap of a part without a rewind
- Z rapid of 70 m/min, faster than the Z 60 m/min of the Athena and the Z 45 m/min of the Poseidon
- Y travel of 2600 mm on the 3626, 4826 and 6026, wider than the 2000 mm maximum of the Athena
Limitations
- C is not continuous: ±270° means multi-lap paths in one direction need an unwind
- X/Y rapids of 80 m/min are below the 90 m/min of the Athena and the 85 m/min of the Poseidon
- Spindle, tool magazine and weight figures are absent from CMS's table for this machine
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
No. The C axis stroke is ±270° and the B axis stroke is ±120°. A single pass around a part fits within the C stroke, but a program that keeps rotating the same way will reach the limit and must rewind before carrying on.
02
The Ares is the larger machine. Its X travels are 3600 mm, 4800 mm and 6000 mm, where the Athena runs from 2200 mm to 5200 mm, and its Y travels are 1800 mm or 2600 mm against 1500 mm or 2000 mm on the Athena. The Athena is quicker in X and Y at 90 m/min against 80 m/min for the Ares; the Ares is quicker in Z at 70 m/min against 60 m/min on the Athena.
03
The 6026, with 6000 mm of X travel, 2600 mm of Y and 1200 mm of Z. The 6018 has the same X travel with 1800 mm of Y. For anything longer, the CMS Poseidon is listed with X travels from 2,5 m up to 41.5 m.
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