DMG Mori ALX 1500

$130,000 - $200,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

6,000 RPM

Spindle Power

15 kW (20 HP)

Max Workpiece ⌀

440 mm (17.3 in)

Accuracy

+/- 0.005 mm

max workpiece length

536 mm (21.1 in)

max bar capacity

52 mm (2.0 in)

Overview

The DMG Mori ALX 1500 is a compact, high-speed production turning center built for automotive and high-volume manufacturing environments. It uses DMG Mori's turnMASTER DDS (Direct Drive Spindle) technology for exceptional speed and accuracy in a space-saving 2.7 square meter footprint. The ALX 1500 targets shops that need maximum turning throughput per square foot of floor space.

The ALX 1500 handles workpieces up to 440 mm (17.3 in) diameter and 536 mm (21.1 in) length, with a maximum bar capacity of 52 mm (2.0 in). X-axis travel is 260 mm (10.2 in), Y-axis travel is 100 mm (3.9 in), and Z-axis travel is 575 mm (22.6 in). The inclusion of a Y-axis expands the machine's capability beyond pure turning into off-center drilling, milling, and tapping operations.

Rapid traverse runs at 30 m/min (1,181 ipm) on both X and Z axes, keeping non-cutting time to a minimum during positioning moves. The direct drive spindle eliminates belt-driven vibration, delivering better surface finishes and longer bearing life at high speeds. The DDS technology provides 6,000 RPM with 15 kW (20 HP) and comes with a 3-year spindle warranty.

The machine runs on a CELOS with MAPPS (Mitsubishi) control system and comes in multiple model variants to match specific distance-between-centers requirements. The ALX 1500 shares its compact footprint design with the ALX 2000 and ALX 2500, giving shops a consistent platform architecture across different workpiece sizes.

New ALX 1500 machines price between $130,000 and $200,000. The ALX 1500 competes with the Okuma LB2000 EX III, Mazak QUICK TURN 200, and Doosan Lynx 2100 in the compact production lathe category. Its direct drive spindle and minimal footprint are key differentiators. Specs sourced from DMG Mori published data.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Workpiece Diameter	440 mm (17.3 in)
Max Workpiece Length	536 mm (21.1 in)
Max Bar Capacity	52 mm (2.0 in)
X Axis Travel	260 mm (10.2 in)
Y Axis Travel	100 mm (3.9 in)
Z Axis Travel	575 mm (22.6 in)
Spindle Type	turnMASTER DDS (Direct Drive Spindle)
Max Spindle Speed	6,000 RPM
Spindle Motor Power	15 kW (20 HP)
Rapid Traverse X	30 m/min (1,181 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Z	30 m/min (1,181 ipm)
Turret Stations	12
Floor Space Required	2.7 m2 (29.1 ft2)
CNC Control	CELOS with MAPPS (Mitsubishi)
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.005 mm
440 Mm	17.3 in.
536 Mm	21.1 in.
52 Mm	2 in.
260 Mm	10.2 in.
100 Mm	3.9 in.
575 Mm	22.6 in.
Customer Benefits	Functionality - Selection of the cycle by pressing the associated key on the operating panel

Specifications sourced from us.dmgmori.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

turnMASTER DDS direct drive spindle eliminates belt vibration for better surface finishes and comes with a 3-year spindle warranty
2.7 square meter footprint is among the smallest in its class, maximizing production density per square foot of floor space
Y-axis with 100 mm travel enables off-center drilling, milling, and tapping without transferring to a secondary VMC operation
30 m/min rapid traverse on both axes minimizes non-cutting positioning time for shorter cycle times on production parts
52 mm bar capacity covers standard bar stock sizes for most compact production turning applications
Clean, focused design optimized for turning speed rather than trying to be a full mill-turn compromises nothing on core turning performance

Limitations

52 mm bar capacity is smaller than the ALX 2000 (65 mm) and ALX 2500 (80 mm), limiting bar stock diameter range
15 kW spindle power is adequate but not aggressive — shops doing heavy roughing in stainless or alloy steels may find it limiting
Limited availability and visibility in the North American market compared to the more established NLX and NZX product lines
Single turret limits simultaneous cutting operations compared to multi-turret NZX machines

Best For

Automotive production lines running high volumes of compact turned parts like bushings, spacers, and fittings Shops where floor space is at a premium and maximum production density per square foot matters Second and third shift lights-out production of bar-fed turned parts under 52 mm diameter Facilities needing Y-axis capability in a compact footprint for off-center features without secondary operations Any production environment focused on high-speed turning throughput in a minimal footprint

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new DMG Mori ALX 1500 cost?

New pricing runs $130,000-$200,000 depending on configuration and options. Base machines with standard turret and no Y-axis come in lower. Adding Y-axis, live tooling, sub-spindle, and automation packages pushes toward the higher end.

02 What is a DDS (Direct Drive Spindle)?

DDS means the motor is directly coupled to the spindle without belts or gears. This eliminates belt-driven vibration, reduces maintenance since there are no belts to replace, and delivers more consistent spindle speed. The result is better surface finishes and longer spindle bearing life at high speeds. DMG Mori backs it with a 3-year warranty.

03 ALX 1500 vs ALX 2000 — what is the difference?

The ALX 1500 has a smaller bar capacity (52 mm vs 65 mm) and is designed for smaller workpieces. Both share the same compact 2.7 m2 footprint, DDS spindle technology, and control platform. Choose the 1500 for parts under 52 mm bar diameter; the 2000 for larger bar stock and workpieces.

04 Can the ALX 1500 run with a bar feeder?

Yes. The 52 mm bar capacity works with standard bar feeders from LNS, IEMCA, and FMB. The compact footprint combined with bar feeding makes it an efficient lights-out production cell for high-volume turned parts.