Haas GM-2-5AX
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Haas GM-2-5AX is a full 5-axis gantry mill with a gimbal head design, built for large-format composite trimming, aluminum profiling, and 3D surface finishing. It combines the massive 3,683 x 2,223 x 998 mm (145 x 87.5 x 39.3 in) work envelope of the GR gantry platform with a 20,000 RPM HSK-63F/HSK-A63 integral spindle and dual rotary axes mounted on the Z-axis ram.
The gimbal head design is what sets the GM-2-5AX apart from every other Haas 5-axis machine. Both the B-axis (tilt, plus/minus 120 degrees) and C-axis (rotation, plus/minus 245 degrees) are mounted on the spindle head, so the cutting tool rotates while the workpiece stays stationary on the table. This is the architecture used on large aerospace gantry mills from companies like Jobs and Breton, and Haas brings it to a price point that is a fraction of those European machines.
The 12 kW (16 hp) integral spindle spins to 20,000 RPM with 15.3 Nm (11.3 ft-lbf) of torque at 7,500 RPM. This spindle is optimized for composites, aluminum, plastics, and Ren Board rather than steel. The high RPM allows for excellent surface footage with small-diameter tools, which is exactly what you need for composite edge trimming and 3D surface profiling. B-axis continuous torque is 339 Nm and C-axis runs at 344 Nm, giving the head enough muscle to maintain orientation under cutting loads.
The 30+1 SMTC keeps tool changes fast, and the 3,658 x 1,829 mm (144 x 72 in) table supports 2,722 kg (6,000 lb). Haas includes their G268 Feature Coordinate System and G253 Orient Spindle Normal functions in the control, which simplify programming of tilted work planes. Rapids run at 12.0 m/min on X, 48.0 m/min on Y, and 30.0 m/min on Z. The machine weighs 10,000 kg (22,040 lb). For shops that need simultaneous 5-axis capability on parts too large for a trunnion-table UMC, the GM-2-5AX fills a niche that few other machines at this price can reach. Specs sourced from Haas Automation published data.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 3,683 mm (145 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 2,223 mm (87.5 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 998 mm (39.3 in) |
| Spindle Nose To Table Max | 940 mm (37 in) |
| Spindle Nose To Table Min | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 20,000 RPM |
| Spindle Taper | HSK-63F / HSK-A63 |
| Spindle Motor Power | 16.0 hp |
| Spindle Torque Max | 15.3 Nm (11.3 ft-lbf) @ 7,500 RPM |
| Spindle Drive | Integral Spindle/Motor |
| Spindle Cooling | Liquid Cooled |
| B Axis Tilt | S.A.E |
| B Axis Speed | 110 °/sec |
| B Axis Torque Continuous | 339 Nm (250 ft-lbf) |
| C Axis Rotation | S.A.E |
| C Axis Speed | 200 °/sec |
| C Axis Torque Continuous | 344 Nm (254 ft-lbf) |
| Tool Capacity | 30+1 SMTC |
| Max Tool Diameter | 2.5 in |
| Max Tool Weight | 12.0 lb |
| Table Size | 3,658 x 1,829 mm (144 x 72 in) |
| Table Load Max | 2,722 kg (6,000 lb) |
| Between Columns | 75.0 in |
| Max Cutting Feedrate | 12.0 m/min (472 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse X | 12.0 m/min (472 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse Y | 48.0 m/min (1,889 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 30.0 m/min (1,181 ipm) |
| Max Thrust X | 4500 lbf |
| Max Thrust Y | 1650 lbf |
| Max Thrust Z | 2000 lbf |
| Machine Weight | 10,000 kg (22,040 lb) |
| CNC Control | Haas Next Generation Control (NGC) |
| Coolant Capacity | 95 gal |
| Air Required | 4 scfm @ 100 psi |
| Electrical Low | 220 VAC 3-phase, 40 A |
| Electrical High | 440 VAC 3-phase, 20 A |
| Travels | S.A.E |
| X Axis | 145.00 in |
| Y Axis | 87.50 in |
| Z Axis | 39.30 in |
| Spindle Nose To Table | 5.0 in |
| Spindle | S.A.E |
| Max Rating | 16.0 hp |
| Max Speed | 200 °/sec |
| Max Torque | 11.3 ft-lbf @ 7500 rpm |
| Drive System | Integral Spindle/Motor |
| Taper | HSK-63F | HSK-A63 |
| Bearing Lubrication | Grease Packed |
| Cooling | Liquid Cooled |
| Travel | 245 ° to 245- ° |
| Torque | 254 ft-lbf |
| Table | S.A.E |
| Length | 144.0 in |
| Width | 72.0 in |
| Thickness | 1.0 in |
| Max Weight On Table | 6000 lb |
| Feedrates | S.A.E |
| Max Cutting | 472 ipm |
| Rapids On X | 472 ipm |
| Rapids On Y | 1889 ipm |
| Rapids On Z | 1181 ipm |
| Axis Motors | S.A.E |
| Tool Changer | S.A.E |
| Type | SMTC |
| Capacity | 30+1 |
| Max Tool Diameter Large | 3.5 in |
| Max Tool Length | 11.00 in |
| General | S.A.E |
| Air Requirements | S.A.E |
| Electrical Specification | S.A.E |
| Input Ac Voltage Low | 220 VAC |
| Full Load Amps Low | 40 A |
| Input Ac Voltage High | 440 VAC |
| Full Load Amps High | 20 A |
| Dimensions Shipping | S.A.E |
| Domestic Pallet | 226.0 in x 143.0 in x 137.0 in |
| Export Crate | 226.0 in x 153.0 in x 143.0 in |
| Machine Weight | 22040 lb |
| Export Crate For Sheet Metal | 89 in x 57 in x 50 in |
| Weight For Sheet Metal Crate | 1400 lb |
Specifications sourced from haascnc.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Full simultaneous 5-axis with gimbal head architecture handles complex 3D surface profiling on parts up to 12 feet long
- 20,000 RPM integral spindle delivers excellent surface finish on composites, aluminum, and engineered plastics
- G268 Feature Coordinate System and G253 in the Haas control simplify programming of tilted work planes
- 3,683 mm X-travel covers large aerospace panels and structural components in a single setup
- Gimbal head keeps the workpiece stationary, which is critical for large, thin, or delicate composite structures
- Price point is a fraction of European gimbal-head gantry mills from Jobs, Breton, and similar builders
Limitations
- 16 HP spindle with 15.3 Nm of torque is not suited for steel or cast iron cutting; this is a composites and aluminum machine
- Gimbal head programming requires understanding of tool vector orientation, which has a learning curve for shops new to 5-axis
- Base price above $300K puts it in a different investment tier than standard GR gantry routers
- 75-inch between-columns dimension is narrower than the GR-712 due to the gimbal head assembly
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
A gimbal head mounts both rotary axes on the spindle assembly rather than on the table. The cutting tool tilts and rotates while the workpiece stays stationary. This is critical for large, thin, or delicate parts like composite panels that cannot be clamped to a rotating trunnion. It also keeps the full table area available for fixturing.
02
The 20,000 RPM integral spindle with 15.3 Nm of torque is optimized for composites, aluminum, plastics, and non-ferrous materials. It is not designed for steel or cast iron. For ferrous material work on a large gantry platform, look at the Haas HDC-3 or VS-3.
03
Base price starts at around $303,995. With options like through-spindle coolant, probing, and production software, a fully configured machine runs $340,000 to $380,000.
04
Any CAM package that supports simultaneous 5-axis toolpaths with tool vector output will work. Mastercam, NX, CATIA, hyperMILL, and Autodesk Fusion are all commonly used. The Haas G268 Feature Coordinate System simplifies programming for planar operations in tilted work planes.
05
The VP-5 has a tilting head but no C-axis rotation, making it a 4+1 positioning machine. The GM-2-5AX has both B and C rotary axes with full simultaneous capability. The GM-2-5AX also has a 20,000 RPM HSK spindle versus the VP-5's 8,100 RPM 40-taper. The GM-2-5AX is the choice for composite and aluminum 5-axis contouring; the VP-5 is for prismatic steel work.
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