Heller FPT 850
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Heller FPT 850 is a 5-axis trunnion-style machining center from the German manufacturer Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik, designed for high-performance machining of medium-to-large prismatic and complex contoured parts. Heller has built its reputation on rock-solid horizontal machining centers for automotive production, and the FPT series extends that production-grade DNA into the 5-axis simultaneous machining world. The FPT 850 is aimed at aerospace structural components, energy sector parts, mold and die work, and precision industrial components that demand simultaneous 5-axis capability with the rigidity of a production machine.
The machine features X/Y/Z linear travels of 850 x 750 x 700 mm with a B-axis swivel range of ±110 degrees and a C-axis rotary table providing 360-degree continuous rotation. The spindle delivers 52 kW of power at speeds up to 18,000 RPM through an HSK-A63 interface — enough speed for efficient aluminum machining and enough torque for steel and titanium roughing. The 60-position tool magazine keeps complex multi-tool jobs running without intervention, and rapid traverse rates of 60 m/min on all linear axes minimize non-cutting time.
Heller's trunnion design places the workpiece on a tilting rotary table rather than using a spindle-side swivel head, which means the spindle path is always straight and the full spindle power is available at any tool orientation. The table carries workpieces up to 800 kg, and the cast iron machine base weighs in at approximately 16,000 kg — mass that translates directly to vibration damping and thermal stability during heavy cuts. The machine achieves positioning accuracy of ±0.004 mm across all axes.
The FPT 850 competes with machines like the DMG MORI DMU 80 P duoBLOCK, Mazak Variaxis i-700, and Makino D500. Against the DMU 80 P, the Heller offers comparable capability at a typically lower price point with Heller's production-proven reliability. The Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control is standard, with Heller's proprietary HMC (Heller Machine Controller) user interface layer providing intuitive operation. New FPT 850 machines price between $450,000 and $700,000 depending on spindle selection, tool magazine capacity, and automation integration.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 850 mm (33.5 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 750 mm (29.5 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 700 mm (27.6 in) |
| B Axis | ±110° swivel (trunnion) |
| C Axis | 360° continuous rotary table |
| Max Spindle Speed | 18,000 RPM |
| Spindle Motor Power | 52 kW (69.7 hp) |
| Spindle Taper | HSK-A63 |
| Table Diameter | 850 mm (33.5 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 800 kg (1,764 lb) |
| Tool Capacity | 60 positions (expandable) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 60 m/min (2,362 IPM) all linear axes |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.004 mm (±0.00016 in) |
| CNC Control | Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl with Heller HMC interface |
| Machine Weight | 16,000 kg (35,274 lb) |
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Trunnion design delivers full spindle power at any tool orientation — no power loss from spindle-side swivel head kinematics, critical for heavy 5-axis roughing
- 16,000 kg machine weight provides exceptional rigidity and vibration damping, enabling aggressive cuts in steel and titanium that lighter machines struggle with
- 52 kW spindle with 18,000 RPM covers both high-speed aluminum work and high-torque steel/titanium roughing without spindle compromise
- 800 kg table load capacity handles medium-to-large aerospace structural parts and heavy mold components that exceed the limits of smaller 5-axis machines
- Heller's production-machine DNA means the FPT 850 is built for reliability and uptime — not just accuracy, but sustained accuracy over years of production use
- 60-tool magazine and 60 m/min rapids support complex multi-operation parts with short non-cutting times
Limitations
- Trunnion design means the workpiece moves through the B and C axes — large, heavy workpieces reduce the effective dynamic performance compared to spindle-side swivel designs
- HSK-A63 spindle interface is capable but limits to mid-range tooling — HSK-A100 would be preferred for extremely heavy roughing with large face mills
- 16,000 kg machine weight requires substantial foundation preparation and limits placement flexibility on shop floors with load restrictions
- Heller's presence in North America, while growing, is smaller than DMG MORI, Mazak, or Okuma — service response time can be longer depending on location
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
In a trunnion design like the FPT 850, the rotary axes (B and C) are in the table — the table tilts and rotates while the spindle moves in X, Y, Z only. In a swivel-head design, the spindle tilts while the table stays flat. The trunnion advantage is that the spindle always cuts in a straight line, delivering full power and rigidity. The tradeoff is that heavy workpieces must accelerate through the rotary axes, which can limit dynamic performance with very heavy parts.
02
Both are serious 5-axis production machines in a similar size class. The DMU 80 P duoBLOCK offers a slightly larger Z-travel and DMG MORI's extensive global support network. The Heller FPT 850 offers comparable rigidity at a typically 10-15% lower price point and Heller's production-machine reliability reputation. Both use Siemens 840D sl controls. The choice often comes down to local dealer support, existing brand relationships, and specific spindle/configuration preferences.
03
New Heller FPT 850 machines price between $450,000 and $700,000. A standard configuration with 18,000 RPM spindle and 60-tool magazine sits around $450K-$550K. Adding high-speed spindle options, expanded tool magazines, through-spindle coolant at higher pressures, probing systems, and automation interfaces pushes the price toward $700K. Used FPT 850 machines from the 2010s can appear in the $200K-$350K range.
04
Yes. The FPT 850 supports pallet automation through Heller's own pallet systems or third-party solutions. The machine can be integrated into flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) with pallet pools and robot loading. The Siemens 840D sl control supports all standard automation protocols. Heller offers turnkey automation packages for shops wanting a complete 5-axis production cell.
05
The FPT 850 is available with multiple spindle configurations. The standard 18,000 RPM / 52 kW HSK-A63 spindle covers most applications. Higher-speed options up to 24,000 RPM are available for aluminum-intensive aerospace work. Gear-driven high-torque spindle options serve heavy steel and titanium cutting. The spindle selection should match your primary material — discuss with Heller's applications team for optimization.
06
The FPT 850's combination of 52 kW power, 16,000 kg mass, and 5-axis capability makes it equally capable on aluminum, steel, titanium, and cast iron. Primary industries are aerospace (structural parts, engine components), energy (turbine parts, valve bodies), mold and die (cores, cavities, electrodes), and general precision engineering. The machine handles everything from high-speed aluminum roughing to heavy titanium profiling.
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