Fanuc Robodrill α-D21MiB5

$90,000 - $180,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

700 mm (27.6 in)

Y Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Z Travel

330 mm (13.0 in)

Max Spindle

10,000 RPM (24,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

BT30 / BBT30

Tool Capacity

21-position turret

Overview

The Fanuc Robodrill α-D21MiB5 is the flagship standard-body model in Fanuc's current iB5-generation Robodrill lineup and one of the best-selling compact machining centers in history. With over 250,000 Robodrills shipped globally since the platform's introduction, the Robodrill name is synonymous with high-speed compact VMC production. The D21MiB5 represents the mature iB5-generation refinement of this platform, combining the fastest tool changes and rapids in its class with the most universally deployed CNC control in manufacturing — the Fanuc 31i-B5.

The D21MiB5 offers X/Y/Z travels of 700 x 400 x 330 mm (27.6 x 15.7 x 13.0 in) on a 750 x 400 mm table rated to 300 kg (661 lb). The '700 mm' X-travel is the defining size advantage over the D14MiB5's 500 mm, providing more room for longer fixtures, tombstones with multiple parts, or larger workpieces. The spindle runs at 10,000 RPM standard through a BT30/BBT30 taper, with an optional 24,000 RPM high-speed configuration for aluminum and light alloy work. The BBT30 dual-contact taper improves rigidity at high speeds over standard BT30.

The iB5 generation's servo system enables tool-to-tool change in 0.7 seconds and chip-to-chip in approximately 1.3 seconds — benchmarks that are 4 to 6 times faster than a conventional VMC. On a job with 20 tool changes, this translates directly to 15-30 minutes of cycle time savings per part. Rapid traverse is 54 m/min (2,126 ipm) on all axes. For small and medium parts with many short repositioning moves, the compounding effect of fast tool changes and fast rapids makes the Robodrill's actual cycle time significantly shorter than what the feedrate figures suggest.

The D21MiB5 competes directly with the Brother Speedio S700Xd2, Haas Mini Mill 2, and CHIRON FZ 12. It wins on automation ecosystem — no compact VMC integrates more naturally with Fanuc robots, and no CNC control is supported by more CAM software vendors. It is the machine of choice for Apple supply chain manufacturers in Asia, automotive electronics suppliers, and any shop building a fully automated production cell around Fanuc technology. Machine weight is approximately 3,900 kg (8,598 lb) with a footprint of roughly 2,050 x 1,750 mm. New pricing starts around $90,000-$110,000 for a standard 3-axis unit and rises to $140,000-$180,000 with the DDR 5-axis table and high-speed spindle.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	700 mm (27.6 in)
Y-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	330 mm (13.0 in)
Table Size	750 x 400 mm (29.5 x 15.7 in)
Table Load Capacity	300 kg (661 lb)
Max Spindle Speed	10,000 RPM (24,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	BT30 / BBT30
Spindle Motor Power	11 kW (15 hp) standard; 26 kW (35 hp) peak on high-speed option
Tool Capacity	21-position turret
Tool To Tool	0.7 sec
Chip To Chip	1.3 sec
Rapid Traverse Rate	54 m/min (2,126 ipm)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.004 mm
Repeatability	±0.002 mm
Ddr 5axis Option	Available — A-axis: -120°/+30°, C-axis: 360° continuous
CNC Control	Fanuc 31i-B5
Machine Weight	~3,900 kg (8,598 lb)
Floor Space Required	~2,050 x 1,750 mm (81 x 69 in)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

0.7-second tool-to-tool change is the defining competitive advantage — on complex parts with many tools, cycle time savings of 15-30 minutes per part vs a conventional VMC are routine
Fanuc 31i-B5 control is the industry standard: supported by every major CAM software, trained operators are globally available, and Fanuc's reliability record is unmatched
250,000+ units installed globally means proven long-term reliability, readily available spare parts, and an enormous knowledge base of applications and tooling
54 m/min all-axis rapids minimize positioning time on small and medium parts with many short moves, compounding with fast tool changes for cycle time leadership
DDR 5-axis option provides simultaneous 5-axis contouring at a fraction of dedicated 5-axis machine cost, enabling complex geometry without a separate machine
Largest X-travel (700 mm) in the standard Robodrill lineup — more room than the D14MiB5 for longer parts, multi-fixture setups, and tombstone work

Limitations

BT30 taper limits maximum cutting force and rigidity — this is not a machine for aggressive roughing in hardened steel, titanium at high material removal rates, or deep cavity milling
21-tool magazine cannot be expanded — complex jobs requiring more than 21 tools need program interruption for manual tool changes or a different machine
300 kg table load is adequate for most compact part applications but restricts heavy fixture configurations common in production steel machining
330 mm Z-travel is the shortest axis, limiting the height of workpieces and fixtures that can be machined without tilting or repositioning

Best For

High-volume production cells machining small to medium aluminum, brass, and light alloy parts where cycle time leadership directly drives per-part cost and profitability Electronics and consumer products manufacturers — Apple supply chain, connector manufacturers, camera and device housing producers — running tight-tolerance precision parts in large quantities Automotive tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers producing fuel system components, sensor housings, solenoid bodies, and transmission parts in high volumes Shops building fully automated Fanuc robot cells where native control integration simplifies programming, monitoring, and fault recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the Fanuc Robodrill α-D21MiB5 price?

New D21MiB5 machines start around $90,000-$110,000 for a standard 3-axis unit with 10,000 RPM spindle. Adding the 24,000 RPM high-speed spindle option costs approximately $15,000-$25,000. The DDR 5-axis trunnion table adds $40,000-$55,000. A fully optioned D21MiB5 with high-speed spindle and 5-axis table typically runs $140,000-$180,000. Used iB5-generation D21 Robodrills from 2018-2023 trade between $45,000 and $90,000 depending on hours, spindle condition, and installed options.

02 How does the Robodrill compare to the Brother Speedio S700Xd2?

Both are 30-taper compact high-speed VMCs with similar travel ranges. The Brother Speedio S700Xd2 offers a slightly faster turret change (0.9 sec chip-to-chip vs 1.3 sec on the Robodrill), and the Brother M200Xd3 offers a wider 700 x 400 mm travel envelope. The Robodrill counters with the Fanuc 31i-B5 control (broader CAM and automation ecosystem support), 700 mm X-travel on the D21 body, and Fanuc's native robot integration for shops planning automation. Both machines are excellent; the choice often comes down to control preference and dealer support in your region.

03 Why is the Robodrill so popular in Apple's supply chain?

The Robodrill's combination of extreme cycle time efficiency, Fanuc control reliability, and automation integration made it the platform of choice for high-volume precision aluminum machining of iMac, MacBook, and iPhone component manufacturers in China and Taiwan. Apple's supply chain suppliers needed millions of identical parts with sub-0.05 mm tolerances at the lowest possible cycle time — the Robodrill delivered, and its reputation in electronics CNC is now established across the global consumer electronics supply chain.

04 Can the D21MiB5 run 5-axis?

Yes, with the DDR (Direct Drive Rotary) table option. The DDR is a trunnion-style tilting rotary table that provides A-axis tilt from -120° to +30° and full 360° continuous C-axis rotation via direct-drive motors. It installs on the standard D21MiB5 table and enables simultaneous 5-axis contouring. The DDR table loads about 30 kg (66 lb), which is suitable for small to medium precision parts. Factory installation is available on new machines; retrofit is possible on existing units at additional cost.

05 What is the difference between the D14MiB5 and D21MiB5?

The main difference is X-travel: 500 mm on the D14MiB5 versus 700 mm on the D21MiB5, with the table growing from 650 x 400 mm to 750 x 400 mm. Both machines share the same spindle system, tool magazine, control, and performance specs. Table load capacity increases from 200 kg to 300 kg on the D21. The D21MiB5 typically costs $10,000-$20,000 more. If your parts fit within 500 mm X-travel, the D14MiB5 saves money; the D21MiB5 is for longer parts or fixture setups that need the extra X-room.