GF Machining Liechti Turbomill 800i
Key Specifications
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Weight
Rapid Traverse
Spindle Power
Overview
The GF Machining Solutions Liechti Turbomill 800i is a 5-axis blade machining center from the Turbomill i-series, designed for high-precision airfoil manufacturing of turbine blades, compressor blades, guide vanes, and blisks. With an 800 mm workzone and recommended part diameter of 400 mm, the 800i targets medium-sized aerospace and industrial gas turbine (IGT) blade production.
The i-series represents Liechti's updated Turbomill platform with improved thermal stability and enhanced process monitoring compared to the legacy g-series. The machine retains the proven heavy-duty construction and Turbosoft+ CAM integration that has made Liechti the reference standard for dedicated blade machining, while adding modernized sensor packages and refined thermal compensation algorithms.
The spindle delivers 20,000 RPM through an HSK-A63 interface with 50 kW (67 hp) continuous power and 150 Nm torque — sufficient for aggressive roughing of Inconel 718, titanium alloys, and other superalloys that constitute the bulk of turbine blade materials. Complete machining in one setup includes milling, turning, threading, chamfering, engraving, and brushing operations.
Turbosoft+ CAM provides application-specific blade strategies developed through decades of production experience at major aerospace OEMs. The Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control handles smooth simultaneous 5-axis interpolation required for complex airfoil surface generation. High-pressure through-spindle coolant at 80 bar ensures effective chip evacuation in deep pocket and root form features.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Workzone Length | 800 mm (31.5 in) |
| Max Part Diameter | 400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Number Of Axes | 5-axis simultaneous |
| Max Spindle Speed | 20,000 RPM |
| Spindle Taper | HSK-A63 |
| Spindle Motor Power | 50 kW (67 hp) |
| Spindle Torque | 150 Nm |
| Spindle Configuration | Single spindle |
| Tool Capacity | 40 |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 30 m/min (1,181 ipm) |
| Positioning Accuracy | 0.004 mm (4 µm) |
| Cam Software | Liechti Turbosoft+ |
| CNC Control | Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl |
| Coolant System | High-pressure through-spindle (80 bar) |
| Machine Weight | 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) |
Specifications sourced from gfms.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 800 mm workzone covers medium-large turbine blades, compressor blades, and guide vanes in a single setup
- i-series upgrades include improved thermal compensation and enhanced process monitoring over the g-series
- 50 kW spindle with 150 Nm torque handles aggressive superalloy roughing cycles
- Turbosoft+ CAM with decades of OEM-proven blade machining strategies
- Complete machining capability — milling, turning, threading, chamfering, engraving, brushing in one clamping
- Siemens 840D sl delivers smooth 5-axis interpolation for complex airfoil profiles
Limitations
- At $1.5M-$2.5M, requires sustained blade production volume to justify investment
- 20,000 RPM max spindle speed is lower than go-Mill 36,000 RPM for fine finishing passes
- Large footprint and weight (20,000 kg) require significant floor space and foundation preparation
- Dedicated blade platform — not economically viable for general 5-axis work
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The 800i is the updated i-series platform with improved thermal compensation, enhanced process monitoring sensors, and modernized control integration. The 800g uses the earlier g-technology platform. Both share the same 800 mm workzone, similar spindle specs, and Turbosoft+ CAM. The i-series targets shops wanting better process consistency and monitoring capability.
02
With an 800 mm workzone and 400 mm recommended part diameter, the 800i handles medium-large compressor blades, turbine blades, guide vanes, and nozzle segments. Typical applications include high-pressure compressor blades up to ~350 mm and smaller LP turbine blading.
03
Inconel 718, Waspaloy, Rene 80, Ti-6Al-4V, single-crystal nickel superalloys, cobalt-chrome alloys, and stainless steels. The 50 kW spindle with 80 bar through-spindle coolant is specifically designed for these difficult-to-machine aerospace materials.
04
Turbosoft+ is Liechti's proprietary CAM software with application-specific blade machining strategies developed over decades of aerospace OEM production. It generates optimized 5-axis toolpaths for airfoil surfaces, root forms, shroud platforms, and tip features, feeding directly to the Siemens 840D sl control.
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