Makino a82

$600,000 - $900,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

900 mm (35.4 in)

Y Travel

900 mm (35.4 in)

Z Travel

900 mm (35.4 in)

Max Spindle

8,000 RPM (10,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

HSK-A100

Tool Capacity

80 (expandable to 160/240)

Overview

The Makino a82 is Makino's flagship 630 mm pallet horizontal machining center, engineered for high-volume production of large prismatic parts including engine blocks, transmission housings, axle carriers, and aerospace structural components. It occupies the step above the a61nx in Makino's horizontal lineup, delivering a larger work envelope and higher torque capacity while maintaining the precision and speed the brand is known for. The a82 is a direct competitor to machines like the Okuma MB-8000H, Mazak HCN-8800, and DMG Mori NHX 6300.

The dual 630 x 630 mm pallets are the center of the machine's productivity argument. With a pallet change time under 10 seconds, the a82 keeps spindle utilization above 85% in a well-run cell. The standard spindle runs at 8,000 RPM with 588 Nm of torque and 37 kW (50 hp) continuous output through an HSK-A100 taper — the large-bore taper suited for the heavy interrupted cuts common in cast iron and steel. An optional 10,000 RPM spindle extends capability toward aluminum structural work. Both spindles are core-cooled to minimize thermal growth during long production runs.

The machine's structural design uses a T-type column and double-column architecture that Makino attributes to reduced vibration and improved surface finish on large-face milling operations. The B-axis is direct-drive, providing 0.001° indexing resolution and fast rotation that would be impossible with worm gear drives. X, Y, and Z travels are 900 x 900 x 900 mm respectively, giving a 0.729 m³ work envelope capable of swinging a 1,200 mm diameter, 1,400 mm tall workpiece on the pallet.

Makino's Professional 6 control with SGI.5 contouring handles complex multi-surface toolpaths without the feed rate variation that causes chatter marks at scale. The a82 is frequently integrated into Makino's MMC2 pallet pool system, where 10 to 40+ pallets can be managed automatically, enabling true lights-out production. Pricing typically starts near $600,000 for a base 2-pallet configuration and rises significantly with pallet pools and extended tool magazines.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	900 mm (35.4 in)
Y-Axis Travel	900 mm (35.4 in)
Z-Axis Travel	900 mm (35.4 in)
Pallet Size	630 x 630 mm (24.8 x 24.8 in)
Number Of Pallets	2 (expandable via MMC2 pallet pool)
Pallet Load Capacity	1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
Max Workpiece Size	1,200 mm dia x 1,400 mm tall
Max Spindle Speed	8,000 RPM (10,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	HSK-A100
Spindle Motor Power	37 kW (50 hp)
Spindle Torque	588 Nm (434 ft-lb)
B Axis	Direct-drive, 0.001° indexing
Tool Capacity	80 (expandable to 160/240)
Tool To Tool	2.5 sec
Chip To Chip	5.5 sec
Rapid Traverse Rate	50 m/min (1,969 ipm)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.004 mm
Repeatability	±0.002 mm
Machine Weight	32,000 kg (70,548 lb)
CNC Control	Makino Professional 6 (Fanuc-based)
Machine Type	Machining Center
Num Of Axes	3
Operation Type	CNC
Cnc Brand	Fanuc Professional 3
Table Size L X W	24.800(L) x 24.800(W)
Max Workpiece Weight	2,640
Support Index Table	Standard
Support Rotary Table	Optional
Direction	Horizontal
Taper	#50
Taper Opt	HSK100A
Top Rpm	10,000
Hp	47.00
U Axis	None
Tool Carrier	ATC
Num Tools	60
Num Tools Opt	300
Tool Change Time	1.70
Tool Change Chip Time	4.20
Pallet Changer Available	Standard
Num Pallets	2
Num Axes	3
Num Axes Opt	4
X1	43.300"
Y1	32.300"
Z1	40.100"
B1	360.000°

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

630 mm dual-pallet system handles the largest prismatic production parts — engine blocks, axle carriers, large manifolds — that 500 mm HMCs cannot accommodate
HSK-A100 taper with 588 Nm torque enables aggressive cutting in cast iron, steel, and nodular iron without spindle deflection
Direct-drive B-axis with 0.001° indexing resolution enables four-side machining in a single setup with zero backlash
MMC2 pallet pool integration supports lights-out production with 10 to 40+ pallet automation
Core-cooled spindle minimizes thermal growth during extended production runs, maintaining dimensional accuracy part-to-part

Limitations

Entry price of $600,000+ requires substantial production volume to justify — this is not a job shop machine
32,000 kg machine weight demands a reinforced concrete foundation; installation costs alone can reach $30,000-$50,000
HSK-A100 tooling is expensive and less universally available than CAT 40 or HSK-A63, requiring dedicated tooling investment
Long chip-to-chip time of 5.5 seconds reflects the large magazine; shops running many short-cycle jobs may prefer a smaller HMC

Best For

Automotive powertrain suppliers machining high volumes of engine blocks, transmission cases, and axle housings Aerospace manufacturers producing large aluminum or titanium structural frames needing four-side access Heavy equipment and off-highway suppliers running cast iron hydraulic manifolds and valve bodies at production volumes Facilities building unmanned pallet pool cells for overnight or weekend lights-out production of large prismatic parts

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the Makino a82 price new?

Base pricing for a two-pallet a82 configuration starts around $600,000. With expanded tool magazines (160-240 tools), through-spindle coolant, and MMC2 pallet pool integration, configured prices typically reach $800,000-$900,000 or more. Used examples from 2015-2020 trade in the $300,000-$500,000 range depending on hours and pallet system.

02 How does the a82 compare to the Mazak HCN-8800 or Okuma MB-8000H?

All three are 630 mm pallet-class HMCs targeting automotive and heavy industry. The a82 is typically preferred for surface finish quality and thermal stability thanks to its core-cooled spindle and SGI.5 contouring. The Mazak HCN-8800 offers MAZATROL conversational programming and broad dealer support. The Okuma MB-8000H brings the THINC-OSP open architecture control. For pure aluminum throughput, many operators favor the Makino; for mixed ferrous/aluminum heavy work, all three are competitive.

03 What tooling system does the a82 use?

The a82 uses HSK-A100 tooling, the large-bore variant of the HSK standard. HSK-A100 provides superior clamping force and shorter gauge lengths compared to CAT 50, making it the preferred choice for high-torque heavy cutting. It is less common than CAT 50 in used tooling markets, so new tooling investment is typically required.

04 Can the a82 run lights-out?

Yes. The a82 is designed for integration into Makino's MMC2 modular machining complex, which supports 10 to 40+ pallet automation with automatic workpiece loading, tool management, and program scheduling. Shops running pallet pools report that lights-out production over 8-16 hours per night is achievable once fixturing and tooling are dialed in.

05 What is the maximum workpiece size on the a82?

The a82 can swing a workpiece 1,200 mm in diameter and 1,400 mm tall on the 630 x 630 mm pallet, with a maximum pallet load of 1,500 kg (3,307 lb). This makes it capable of handling very large parts that would be impractical on 500 mm pallet machines.