DMG Mori NHX 5500

$375,000 - $525,000 Updated 2026-03-13

Key Specifications

X Travel

730 mm (28.7 in)

Y Travel

730 mm (28.7 in)

Z Travel

880 mm (34.6 in)

Max Spindle

10,000 RPM (CAT 50); 12,000 RPM (CAT 40 option)

Spindle Taper

No. 50 / CAT 50 (No. 40 optional)

Tool Capacity

60 tools standard (120, 180 optional)

Overview

The DMG Mori NHX 5500 is a 500mm horizontal machining center designed as the high-rigidity workhorse of the NHX lineup, filling the gap between the standard NHX 5000 and larger-frame machines. Built around a 500 x 500 mm (19.7 x 19.7 in) pallet with 730 x 730 x 880 mm (28.7 x 28.7 x 34.6 in) of travel, the NHX 5500 delivers a wider Z-axis stroke than the NHX 5000, giving shops more room for deep-cavity work and tall tombstone setups.

The speedMASTER spindle runs at 10,000 RPM in the standard CAT 50 (No. 50) taper configuration, producing 37 kW (50 hp) and 460 Nm (339 ft-lb) of torque for serious metal removal in steel, cast iron, and titanium. A 12,000 RPM CAT 40 option is available for shops prioritizing speed over torque. Rapid traverse hits 60 m/min (2,362 ipm) on all linear axes with roller guideways throughout, providing the stiffness needed for interrupted cuts in cast iron housings and steel manifolds.

The standard tool magazine holds 60 tools with expansion to 120 or 180 positions. Tool-to-tool change time is 2.2 seconds, and the two-pallet changer cycles in 9.9 seconds. Maximum pallet load capacity is 700 kg (1,543 lb), accommodating heavy tombstone fixtures without compromise.

Running on CELOS with Fanuc 31i-B5, the NHX 5500 integrates into DMG Mori' digital manufacturing ecosystem for production monitoring, predictive maintenance, and IoT connectivity. The thermo-symmetric design with comprehensive cooling keeps thermal growth under control during three-shift production.

The NHX 5500 sits between the NHX 5000 and NHX 6300 in DMG Mori' HMC range and competes with the Okuma MB-5000HII, Mazak HCN-5000, and Makino A61nx. New machines price between $375,000 and $525,000. The CAT 50 taper with 460 Nm of torque makes the NHX 5500 particularly strong for ferrous metal production where sustained heavy cutting defines the work. Specs sourced from DMG Mori published data and dealer listings.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	730 mm (28.7 in)
Y-Axis Travel	730 mm (28.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	880 mm (34.6 in)
Max Spindle Speed	10,000 RPM (CAT 50); 12,000 RPM (CAT 40 option)
Spindle Taper	No. 50 / CAT 50 (No. 40 optional)
Spindle Motor Power	37 kW (50 hp)
Spindle Torque	460 Nm (339 ft-lb)
Tool Capacity	60 tools standard (120, 180 optional)
Tool Change Time	2.2 sec tool-to-tool
Pallet Size	500 x 500 mm (19.7 x 19.7 in)
Pallet Change Time	9.9 sec
Max Workpiece Size	800 x 1,050 mm (31.5 x 41.3 in)
Max Work Weight	700 kg (1,543 lb)
Rapid Traverse Rate	60 m/min (2,362 ipm)
Table Indexing	0.001 deg increment (B-axis)
Machine Weight	15,200 kg (33,510 lb)
CNC Control	CELOS with Fanuc 31i-B5
800 Mm	31.5 in.
880 Mm	34.6 in.
1100 Mm	43.3 in.
1000 Kg	2204.6 lbs.
Customer Benefits	MPC Graph: aktuelle und angelernte Prozesswerte. / MPC Diagnostics: Lagerzustand, Anzahl von Stoß und Crash.
Customer Benefitsshorter Set Up Timesno Great Experience Necessary To Take Measurements	Left : Structured user notes for the measurement results. / Right : Toolsetter mode – length / diameter and wear measurement.

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

CAT 50 spindle with 460 Nm of torque provides exceptional metal removal rates in steel, cast iron, and titanium production work
880 mm Z-axis travel exceeds most 500mm-class competitors, giving more room for deep-cavity work and tall tombstone fixtures
700 kg pallet load capacity handles heavy multi-sided fixturing setups that would overload smaller 500mm HMCs
Roller guideways on all axes deliver superior rigidity for interrupted cuts in cast iron and heavy roughing operations
Thermo-symmetric design with comprehensive cooling system maintains accuracy across three-shift production without operator intervention
CELOS with Fanuc 31i-B5 combines Fanuc reliability and G-code familiarity with DMG Mori' digital manufacturing ecosystem

Limitations

At 15,200 kg, the machine requires substantial foundation preparation and significantly more floor space than comparable 500mm HMCs
10,000 RPM maximum on CAT 50 limits surface speed for aluminum work; shops with mixed materials may need the CAT 40 variant
9.9-second pallet change time is slower than class leaders like Makino at around 6 seconds, impacting cycle time on short-run parts
Premium pricing over the NHX 5000 may not be justified for shops that do not need the extended Z-travel or heavier pallet capacity
60-tool standard magazine requires expansion for high-mix environments, adding $15,000-$30,000+ to the base price

Best For

Heavy steel and cast iron production shops where CAT 50 torque and rigidity drive productivity over spindle speed Automotive powertrain manufacturers machining transmission cases, cylinder heads, and engine blocks on 500mm pallets Aerospace structural component shops requiring deep-cavity machining with the extended 880mm Z-travel Die and mold shops running hardened steel and cast iron workpieces that demand sustained heavy cutting loads Multi-machine production cells using DMG Mori LPP automation for unattended three-shift operation Job shops transitioning from vertical to horizontal machining that need CAT 50 capability for diverse ferrous work

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new DMG Mori NHX 5500 cost?

New NHX 5500 machines typically fall in the $375,000-$525,000 range. A base configuration with 60-tool magazine starts around $375,000. Adding expanded ATC, high-pressure coolant, probing, and LPP automation pushes pricing toward $500,000+. Used units from 2018-2023 trade between $175,000 and $325,000.

02 NHX 5500 vs NHX 5000 -- what is the difference?

The NHX 5500 offers extended Z-axis travel (880mm vs 710mm), higher pallet load capacity (700 kg vs 500 kg), and the CAT 50 spindle option with 460 Nm of torque. The NHX 5000 is lighter and faster with a CAT 40 focus.

03 How does the NHX 5500 compare to the Mazak HCN-5000?

Both are strong 500mm HMCs. The Mazak offers PALLETECH automation and up to 348 tools. The DMG Mori counters with CAT 50 delivering 460 Nm vs 221 Nm, making it significantly stronger for heavy ferrous work.

04 Can the NHX 5500 run lights-out?

Yes. The two-pallet changer enables loading one pallet while the other cuts. With tool life management and breakage detection, the machine handles extended unattended runs. DMG Mori' LPP system scales to 21+ pallets for full lights-out production.

05 What spindle options are available?

The standard is a 10,000 RPM CAT 50 with 37 kW and 460 Nm, ideal for steel and cast iron. A 12,000 RPM CAT 40 option is available for shops prioritizing speed over torque.