DMG Mori NLX 3000

$180,000 - $280,000 Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

X Travel

280 mm

Y Travel

+60 / -60 mm

Z Travel

820/ 1370/ 2170 /3170 mm

Max Spindle

10,000 rpm

Tool Capacity

12 driven tool stations (BMT turret)

Weight

14,200 kg (31,306 lb) [Type 3000]

Overview

The DMG Mori NLX 3000 is the big brother in DMG Mori's NLX universal turning lineup, built specifically for long-shaft and large-diameter work that smaller lathes can't touch. Where the NLX 2500/700 tops out at around 28 inches of turning length, the NLX 3000 stretches to 123 inches (3,123 mm) in its longest bed configuration — that's over 10 feet of workpiece between centers. It's the machine shops reach for when they're turning drive shafts, hydraulic cylinders, landing gear components, and long oil & gas parts.

The main spindle runs at 3,000 RPM with 995 Nm of torque from a 25 kW (33.5 hp) drive. That's a lower top speed than the NLX 2500's 4,000 RPM, but it trades speed for the torque you need when swinging 430 mm (16.9 in) diameter stock. The 12-inch chuck and 102 mm (4 in) bar capacity handle serious material without flinching. For shops used to fighting with undersized lathes on long parts, that combination of swing, length, and grunt changes what's possible.

Milling capability comes from DMG Mori's BMT (Built-in Motor Turret). The motor sits inside the turret body rather than bolted externally, which gives noticeably better rigidity during milling operations. Driven tools spin at up to 10,000 RPM with 100 Nm of torque on the larger turret option — enough for serious cross-drilling, flats, and keyways without unclamping the part. The optional 120 mm Y-axis opens up off-center milling that would otherwise require a second setup on a mill.

Thermal stability is a hallmark of the NLX platform. Coolant circulates through the machine bed to control thermal displacement, and box guideways on all three axes provide vibration damping that linear guides can't match. Programmable tailstock with servo drive (on the longer bed types) makes setup faster and more repeatable for production runs of varying part lengths.

The NLX 3000 comes in four bed lengths: 700 mm, 1,250 mm, 2,000 mm, and 3,000 mm between centers. The /700 and /1250 variants compete with mid-size lathes; the /2000 and /3000 are where this machine really differentiates itself from the NLX 2500. Pricing starts around $180,000 for a base /700 and can exceed $280,000 fully loaded with Y-axis, sub-spindle, and the 3,000 mm bed. Used NLX 3000 machines from 2014-2020 typically trade between $90,000 and $160,000 depending on hours and configuration. Control is CELOS with Mitsubishi MAPPS underneath.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Turning Diameter	430 mm
Max Turning Length	3,123 mm (123 in) [Type 3000]
Max Spindle Speed	10,000 rpm
Spindle Torque	995 Nm
Spindle Motor Power	18.5 kW (cont.)
Chuck Size	305 mm (12 in)
Bar Capacity	Ø90, or Ø102
X Axis Travel	280 mm (11 in)
Y Axis Travel	120 mm (4.7 in), optional
Z Axis Travel	3,170 mm (124.8 in) [Type 3000]
Tool Capacity	12 driven tool stations (BMT turret)
Driven Tool Speed	Up to 10,000 RPM (BMT)
Driven Tool Torque	40 Nm (3 min) / 100 Nm (4 min)
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (1,181 ipm) X and Z; 10 m/min (394 ipm) Y
Max Swing Diameter	978 mm (38.5 in)
Machine Weight	14,200 kg (31,306 lb) [Type 3000]
CNC Control	CELOS with Mitsubishi MAPPS
430 Mm	maximum turning Ø
X-Axis Travel	280 mm
Y-Axis Travel	+60 / -60 mm
Z-Axis Travel	820/ 1370/ 2170 /3170 mm
Motorized Tool Power	5.5 kW
Sub Spindle Motor	7.5 kW (cont.)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

3,123 mm (123 in) turning length in the /3000 configuration handles drive shafts, hydraulic cylinders, and long oil & gas components that most mid-size lathes can't reach
995 Nm spindle torque and 430 mm max turning diameter provide the grunt for heavy roughing on large-diameter stock and interrupted cuts in tough materials
BMT turret with 10,000 RPM driven tools at 100 Nm enables serious milling, drilling, and tapping without unclamping — reducing setups on complex long parts
Box guideways on all three axes deliver vibration damping and dynamic rigidity that shows up in surface finish, especially on long slender shafts prone to chatter
Thermal displacement control via coolant circulation in the machine bed holds tolerances across extended production runs without climate-controlled shop environments
102 mm (4 in) bar capacity handles larger bar stock than most competing lathes in this class, including the Mazak QT-250M (65 mm) and Haas ST-30Y (64 mm)

Limitations

Starting at $180K and exceeding $280K fully configured, it costs significantly more than a Mazak QT-350 or Doosan Puma 3100 for similar work envelopes
3,000 RPM max spindle speed is lower than the NLX 2500's 4,000 RPM, limiting productivity on small-diameter aluminum or brass parts where surface speed matters
14,200 kg machine weight for the /3000 variant requires substantial floor reinforcement and rigging planning that adds to installation costs
DMG Mori parts and service costs are the highest among the major builders, and North American service quality varies by region based on persistent forum complaints
CELOS interface with Mitsubishi MAPPS underneath has a steeper learning curve than Mazak's MAZATROL or Haas's conversational control for operators new to the platform
Y-axis and sub-spindle are options that add $30,000-$50,000+ to the base price, making a fully configured machine a serious capital commitment

Best For

Shops machining long-shaft components (drive shafts, hydraulic cylinders, landing gear) that exceed 700 mm turning length Oil & gas, power generation, and heavy equipment manufacturers turning large-diameter workpieces up to 430 mm Production environments needing done-in-one turning and milling on long parts to eliminate second-operation setups Aerospace and defense contractors requiring documented process stability and tight tolerances on shaft-type components Bar-fed production shops working with 65-102 mm stock that exceeds capacity on smaller NLX 2500, Mazak, or Haas lathes Facilities already standardized on DMG Mori or Mitsubishi controls across their CNC fleet

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a DMG Mori NLX 3000 cost?

Base price for an NLX 3000/700 starts around $180,000. Adding BMT live tooling, Y-axis, sub-spindle, and the longer bed options pushes configured price to $250,000-$280,000 for a fully loaded /3000. Used NLX 3000 machines from 2014-2020 trade between $90,000 and $160,000 depending on hours, bed length, and configuration.

02 What's the difference between the NLX 3000 and NLX 2500?

The NLX 3000 has a larger spindle bore (102 mm vs 80-105 mm), larger chuck (12 in vs 10 in), higher torque (995 Nm vs 828 Nm), and greater max turning diameter (430 mm vs 366 mm). The trade-off is lower top spindle speed (3,000 vs 4,000 RPM). The NLX 3000 also comes in longer bed configurations up to 3,000 mm between centers, while the NLX 2500 tops out at shorter bed lengths. Pick the 3000 for larger diameter and longer parts; the 2500 for smaller work at higher speeds.

03 How does the NLX 3000 compare to the Mazak QT-350?

Both are large-bore turning centers for similar work envelopes. The DMG Mori's advantages are the BMT turret with 10,000 RPM driven tools, thermal compensation, and box guideways on all axes. The Mazak's MAZATROL conversational programming is faster for short-run job shops, and Mazak service is generally rated higher in North America. The NLX 3000 typically costs $10,000-$30,000 more than a comparably equipped QT-350MY.

04 What bed lengths are available for the NLX 3000?

The NLX 3000 comes in four bed lengths designated by the distance between centers: /700 (713 mm workpiece length), /1250 (1,260 mm), /2000 (2,123 mm), and /3000 (3,123 mm). The /700 and /1250 use a servo-driven digital tailstock, while the /2000 and /3000 have a programmable tailstock. Choose the bed length based on your longest regular workpiece plus clamping allowance.

05 Can the NLX 3000 do milling operations?

Yes, with the BMT (Built-in Motor Turret) option. Driven tools spin at up to 10,000 RPM with 100 Nm of torque, which handles cross-drilling, flat milling, keyways, and tapping. Adding the optional Y-axis (120 mm travel) enables off-center milling. The BMT design places the motor inside the turret body for better rigidity than bolt-on VDI live tooling systems.

06 What electrical and floor space does the NLX 3000 need?

The /3000 variant weighs 14,200 kg (31,306 lb) and requires reinforced concrete floor capable of supporting that load. Power draw is approximately 40-50 kVA depending on configuration, typically requiring dedicated 200V or 480V three-phase service with a 150A+ breaker. Floor space for the /3000 is substantial — plan for at least 7 meters (23 ft) of length plus clearance for bar feeders, chip conveyors, and maintenance access.