FANUC Robodrill α-D21LiB Plus

$88,000 - $135,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

X Travel

700 mm (27.5 in)

Y Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Z Travel

330 mm (13 in)

Max Spindle

10,000 RPM (24,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

BT30

Tool Capacity

21 turret

Overview

The Fanuc Robodrill α-D21LiB5 is the long-bed version of Fanuc's legendary compact machining center, and it solves the one complaint shops have always had about Robodrills: not enough X-axis travel. With 700 mm (27.5 in) of X travel compared to the standard D21MiB5's 500 mm, the D21LiB5 opens up longer workpieces and multi-part fixturing that the medium-bed model simply can't handle. Everything else that makes the Robodrill platform dominant in high-speed production carries over.

The BT30/BBT30 spindle runs up to 24,000 RPM with 26 kW (35 hp) peak power, making it a serious performer in aluminum, brass, and light alloy work. The 21-tool servo-driven turret delivers 0.7-second tool-to-tool changes and 1.3-second chip-to-chip time on the Advanced version. That's the same blistering speed as the medium-bed model. Rapid traverse hits 54 m/min (2,125 ipm) across all three axes, so you're not losing time on positioning moves even with the longer X stroke.

The table measures 850 x 410 mm (33.5 x 16.1 in), which gives you meaningful real estate for longer parts or side-by-side fixturing of smaller components. Max table load is 300 kg (660 lb). Y-axis travel is 400 mm (15.7 in) and Z is 330 mm (13 in), matching the medium-bed model. Positioning accuracy comes in at ±0.003 mm (±0.00012 in) with repeatability of ±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in).

Fanuc runs everything through their 31i-B5 control, which is the same platform powering their industrial robots and CNC systems worldwide. It's not the most intuitive control if you're coming from Haas or Mazak, but it's bulletproof and offers high-speed look-ahead, AI contour control, and nano interpolation. The Robodrill also integrates seamlessly with Fanuc LR Mate robots for automated load/unload cells, which is how many production shops run them around the clock.

New pricing typically falls between $90,000 and $140,000 depending on spindle options, the Standard vs. Advanced version, and automation packages. Used D21LiB5 models from 2017-2021 sell in the $45,000-$80,000 range. Methods Machine Tools is the exclusive North American distributor, with a strong service network. The D21LiB5 competes with the Haas DT-2 on versatility and the Brother Speedio S700 on speed, but it's the go-to choice when you need Robodrill-class cycle times with room for longer parts. Specs sourced from Fanuc published data, Methods Machine Tools, and machinery dealer documentation.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	700 mm (27.5 in)
Y-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	330 mm (13 in)
Max Spindle Speed	10,000 RPM (24,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	BT30
Spindle Motor Power	14.2 kW (19 hp) peak @ 10K RPM; 26.0 kW (35 hp) peak @ 24K RPM
Spindle Torque	79.7 Nm (58.8 ft-lbf) @ 1,700 RPM (10K spindle); 35 Nm @ 24K spindle
Tool Capacity	21 turret
Max Tool Length	250 mm (9.8 in)
Max Tool Diameter	80 mm (3.1 in)
Max Tool Weight	4 kg (8.8 lb)
Tool To Tool Time	0.7 sec (ADV); 0.9 sec (Standard)
Chip To Chip Time	1.3 sec (ADV); 1.5 sec (Standard)
Table Size	850 x 410 mm (33.5 x 16.1 in)
Max Table Load	300 kg (660 lb)
Spindle Nose To Table	250-580 mm (9.8-22.8 in)
Rapid Traverse Rate	54 m/min (2,125 ipm)
Max Cutting Feedrate	30,000 mm/min (1,181 ipm)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.003 mm (±0.00012 in)
Repeatability	±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in)
Machine Weight	2,300 kg (5,070 lb)
CNC Control	FANUC 31i-B Plus
Number Of Tools	21
X Axis	300
Y Axis	300+100
Z Axis	400
Tool Storage Capacity	28 tools
14 Tools	α-D14SiBADVPlus
21 Tools	α-D21SiBADVPlus
Spindle Spec	Max. speed
Standard	10000 min-1
High Torque	Heavy machining of steel parts (Max. 100N·m)
High Acceleration	High speed and high efficiency machining of aluminum parts
Tapping	12000 min-1
High Speed	24000 min-1

Specifications sourced from fanuc.co.jp — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

700 mm X-axis travel gives 40% more reach than the medium-bed D21MiB5, enabling longer parts and multi-part fixturing without sacrificing Robodrill-class speed
Tool-to-tool change in 0.7 seconds and chip-to-chip in 1.3 seconds on the Advanced version make it one of the fastest tool changers in any VMC class
54 m/min rapids across all axes mean virtually zero wasted time on positioning moves, even with the extended X stroke
24,000 RPM high-speed spindle option with 26 kW peak power makes it exceptional for aluminum and light alloy high-speed machining
Fanuc 31i-B5 control is the same platform running millions of Fanuc robots and CNCs worldwide, offering proven reliability and seamless robot cell integration
850 x 410 mm table provides meaningful work area for side-by-side part fixturing, tombstone setups, or longer single workpieces

Limitations

BT30 taper limits rigidity for aggressive cuts in steel and hardened materials; this is a speed machine, not a heavy metal removal platform
Fanuc 31i control has a steeper learning curve than Haas NGC or Mazak SmoothG, and shops switching from those platforms will need dedicated training
13-inch Z-axis travel restricts tall part work; there's no extended Z option on the long-bed model to compensate
4 kg max tool weight and 80 mm max tool diameter rule out large face mills and heavy boring bars common on 40-taper machines
New pricing starts around $90K, a significant premium over the Haas DT-2 at roughly $50K and even over the medium-bed Robodrill

Best For

High-volume production of longer aluminum and light alloy parts where the standard Robodrill's 500mm X travel falls short Automotive and aerospace component manufacturing requiring extended workpiece length with sub-2-second tool changes Multi-part fixturing setups where the 850mm table accommodates two or more parts side by side for reduced load/unload cycles Automated production cells with Fanuc robot integration for unattended long-bed machining operations Shops running both short and long parts that want to standardize on the Robodrill platform across the floor Medical device and connector manufacturing where high spindle speed and positioning accuracy matter on longer workpieces

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What's the difference between the D21LiB5 and the D21MiB5?

The 'L' stands for Long bed and the 'M' for Medium bed. The D21LiB5 gets 700 mm of X-axis travel versus 500 mm on the D21MiB5, along with a larger table (850 x 410 mm vs 650 x 400 mm). The machine is about 300 kg heavier to accommodate the longer bed. Y and Z travel, spindle options, tool capacity, and tool change times are identical between the two models. Choose the L if your parts or fixtures need the extra X reach; stick with the M if compactness is more important.

02 How does the D21LiB5 compare to the Haas DT-2?

The Robodrill D21LiB5 changes tools in 0.7 seconds versus 2.2 on the DT-2, and rapids at 2,125 ipm versus 1,200. The Robodrill has slightly more X travel (27.5 vs 26 inches) but less Z (13 vs 20 inches). The Haas wins on price (roughly $50K vs $90K+), Z-travel, and control ease-of-use. If cycle time and throughput drive your bottom line, the Robodrill wins. If budget, Z-travel, and versatility matter more, the DT-2 is hard to beat.

03 What's the difference between Standard and Advanced versions?

The Advanced (ADV) version gets faster tool changes at 0.7 seconds tool-to-tool versus 0.9 on the Standard, and 1.3 seconds chip-to-chip versus 1.5. It also includes high-speed look-ahead, AI contour control, and nano interpolation as standard features. Most production shops buy the ADV because those fractions of a second per tool change compound across thousands of parts per shift.

04 Can the D21LiB5 cut steel?

Yes, but with limitations. The BT30 taper doesn't have the rigidity of a 40-taper machine for aggressive steel roughing. Shops cut mild steel, 4140, and even stainless on Robodrills regularly, but they use lighter cuts at higher speeds and rely on the machine's accuracy rather than brute force. For heavy steel removal, a 40-taper VMC like the Haas VF-2 or Okuma GENOS M560-V is a better fit.

05 Who sells and services the D21LiB5 in North America?

Methods Machine Tools is the exclusive North American distributor for Fanuc Robodrills. They offer sales, service, applications engineering, and automation integration through locations across the US. Fanuc also has direct service capabilities through their network. Used Robodrills are widely available through machinery dealers, and the large installed base means independent service providers are common too.

06 Is the long-bed model good for 5-axis work?

The D21LiB5 supports 5-axis machining with optional rotary tables from Fanuc or third-party suppliers. The extra X travel can actually be an advantage for 5-axis work on longer parts. However, the 300 kg table load limit means you need to account for the weight of the rotary table plus the workpiece. Many shops run the long-bed Robodrill with a DDR (Direct Drive Rotary) table for simultaneous 5-axis contouring.