CMS Titanium 5AX

$800,000 - $1,500,000+ Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

HSK-A63

Weight

Rapid Traverse

30 m/min (1,181 ipm)

Spindle Power

30 kW (40 hp) S1 continuous

Accuracy

+/- 0.02 mm

machine type

5-axis CNC machining center for titanium and aerospace composites

Overview

The CMS Titanium 5AX is a high-rigidity 5-axis CNC machining center engineered for aerospace structural component manufacturing from titanium alloys, Inconel, and other difficult-to-machine aerospace metals in combination with CFRP composite structure trimming and drilling. CMS designed the Titanium 5AX to serve aerospace manufacturers who require a single machine platform capable of processing both the metallic and composite structural elements common in modern aircraft design — eliminating the need to transfer parts between separate dedicated machining centers for metal and composite operations.

The Titanium 5AX is built on a heavy welded steel and cast iron bed structure with thermal stabilization, providing the machine stiffness required for productive cutting in titanium and Inconel alloys where cutting forces are substantially higher than composite routing. CMS engineers the Titanium 5AX with a high-rigidity spindle system and reinforced axis drives capable of withstanding the sustained cutting loads of titanium slot milling, pocket milling, and structural contouring operations without deflection or chatter that would compromise dimensional accuracy or surface finish. The machine bed design prioritizes chip and coolant management for metal cutting, with internal chip conveyors and through-spindle coolant capability for titanium and Inconel machining.

The Titanium 5AX 5-axis head provides A and C axis rotation with the angular range needed for both metal structure profiling and composite trim-normal operations in one machine setup. CMS fits a high-torque spindle capable of the slower RPM range required for large-diameter titanium milling with high-feed tooling, while also reaching the higher RPM needed for composite routing and drilling operations. The automatic tool changer on the Titanium 5AX supports the range of metallic and composite tooling required for mixed material aerospace structure programs, with high-capacity magazine to avoid tool change interruptions during complex programs.

CMS positions the Titanium 5AX for aerospace and defense structural component manufacturers who produce assemblies combining machined titanium fittings, frames, and brackets with CFRP structure in integrated assembly fixtures. The machine's dual capability in hard metals and composites is its core differentiating value proposition over machines optimized for only one material class. Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl is standard equipment, providing the full suite of 5-axis interpolation functions, adaptive feed control, and process monitoring required for production titanium and aerospace composite machining.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Machine Type	5-axis CNC machining center for titanium and aerospace composites
X Travel	3,000 mm (118 in) standard
Y Travel	1,500 mm (59 in)
Z Travel	700 mm (27.5 in)
A Axis Range	+/- 120°
C Axis Range	360° continuous
Spindle Speed	Up to 20,000 RPM
Spindle Motor Power	30 kW (40 hp) S1 continuous
Spindle Taper	HSK-A63
Through Spindle Coolant	70 bar (1,015 psi)
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (1,181 ipm)
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.02 mm
Tool Changer	Automatic, 30-position
Probing	Renishaw on-machine probing system
CNC Control	Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl
Chip Management	Integrated chip conveyor, through-spindle coolant
Machine Weight	Approx. 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)
X Axis	mm
Y Axis	mm
Z Axis	mm
B Axis	°
Xy Axis Rapid Speed	mm/min
Rest Surface	mm
Workable Load Capacity	kg/m2
Position Accuracy	mm
Position Repeatability	mm
Installed Power	HP
Overall Dimensions	mm
Machine Weight	kg

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Dual-capability design for both titanium/Inconel metal cutting and CFRP composite routing and drilling eliminates the need for separate dedicated machining centers for metal and composite operations on mixed-material aerospace assemblies
30 kW S1 continuous spindle rating with 70-bar through-spindle coolant provides the sustained cutting power and thermal control required for productive titanium slot milling and deep pocket operations without spindle overload
High-rigidity bed construction with thermal stabilization and linear scale feedback achieves the +/- 0.02 mm positioning accuracy required for aerospace structural component dimensional requirements in both metallic and composite operations
30-position automatic tool changer accommodates the full range of metallic and composite tooling for complex mixed-material aerospace programs, supporting lights-out machining over extended program lengths without tool change interruptions
Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl with adaptive feed control and process monitoring manages the variable cutting conditions encountered in titanium machining, protecting tooling and maintaining process consistency during production programs

Limitations

The Titanium 5AX's dual metal-and-composite capability comes at a significant price premium over either a dedicated composite routing center or a comparable 5-axis metalworking machining center; buyers with exclusively composite or exclusively metal programs will find better value in a purpose-optimized machine
Titanium chip management and coolant containment requirements add facility complexity including chip conveyors, coolant filtration systems, and fire suppression consideration for titanium chip hazards
At this price range and capability level, the Titanium 5AX competes with established heavy 5-axis machining centers from Makino, DMG Mori, MAG, and Forest-Liné that have deeper aerospace titanium production references

Best For

Aerospace Tier 1 and Tier 2 structural suppliers producing integrated titanium and CFRP assemblies — wing spars with titanium fittings, fuselage frames with composite skin panels, and engine mount structures — where both material types are machined in common fixture setups Defense aerospace manufacturers producing titanium-and-composite airframe structures for fighter aircraft, UAV systems, and rotorcraft where the combination of metallic structural frames and composite skins or fairings requires processing on a single machine Aerospace engine component manufacturers machining titanium structural brackets, nacelle frames, and pylon attachment fittings alongside composite nacelle inner panels and acoustic composite structures in production programs Advanced aerospace research and prototype facilities requiring a flexible production-capable 5-axis platform for developing and demonstrating mixed metal-composite airframe manufacturing processes

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What titanium alloys can the CMS Titanium 5AX machine?

The CMS Titanium 5AX is designed for production machining of aerospace titanium alloys including Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5), Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Ti-3Al-2.5V, and commercially pure titanium grades used in aerospace structures. It is also suited for Inconel 718, Inconel 625, and similar nickel superalloys used in aerospace engine structural components. The machine's high-torque spindle, through-spindle coolant at 70 bar, and heavy structural rigidity are all specified to handle the elevated cutting forces and thermal loads of these difficult-to-machine aerospace alloys.

02 How does the machine manage chip and coolant contamination when switching between titanium and composite operations?

Switching the Titanium 5AX between titanium metal cutting and CFRP composite routing requires a thorough cleanup sequence to prevent titanium chips from contaminating composite routing operations and vice versa. The integrated chip conveyor removes titanium chips from the machining zone. For composite routing operations, the through-spindle coolant is typically replaced with compressed air or mist systems, as wet cutting of CFRP is generally avoided. CMS provides process guidelines for material changeover sequences to manage cross-contamination between metallic and composite programs on the same machine.

03 What CAM systems are used to program the Titanium 5AX for titanium and composite operations?

The Titanium 5AX is controlled by Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl and is compatible with all major aerospace CAM systems for both metallic and composite programming. For titanium machining, Siemens NX CAM, CATIA CAM, and PowerMILL are commonly used with high-efficiency titanium milling strategies. For composite routing programs, the same CAM systems generate 5-axis trim and drill programs with Sinumerik-compatible post-processors. CMS provides post-processor configurations and application support for customers programming both material types on the Titanium 5AX.

04 Is through-spindle coolant required for all titanium operations on the Titanium 5AX?

Through-spindle coolant at high pressure is strongly recommended for all titanium slot milling, deep pocket milling, and drilling operations to control chip evacuation, manage cutting temperatures, and protect tooling from premature wear due to built-up edge formation. For titanium surface contouring with positive rake angle high-feed inserts, external flood coolant may be sufficient for some operations. CMS's application team provides cutting parameter and coolant strategy recommendations for specific titanium part programs to optimize tool life and surface quality.

05 What facility requirements does the CMS Titanium 5AX have?

The Titanium 5AX requires a reinforced concrete foundation with the load-bearing capacity to support approximately 20,000 kg machine weight, with precision leveling provisions for thermal and dynamic stability. High-pressure through-spindle coolant requires a dedicated coolant chiller and filtration system sized for 70-bar delivery at the required flow rate. Three-phase electrical supply at the machine's rated current draw is required. Titanium chip management requires a chip conveyor discharge arrangement and appropriate chip handling for titanium recycling. Fire suppression consideration for titanium chip accumulation should be included in facility planning.