Makino F9
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Makino F9 is the flagship of Makino's F-Series large vertical machining centers, engineered to attack both large production part applications and oversized die and mold components. The machine provides the stiffness and rigidity for chatter-free heavy cutting, roughing and finishing on the same platform, the agility for high-speed hard milling, and the accuracies for tight-tolerance blends and matches typical of complex die/mold work.
Axis travel expands to 1,600 x 1,200 x 600 mm (63.0 x 47.2 x 23.6 in) on X/Y/Z—the largest in the F-Series lineup. The 1,800 x 1,200 mm (70.9 x 47.2 in) table supports up to 5,000 kg (11,023 lb), handling the heaviest die blocks and mold bases without concern. The standard 14,000 RPM CAT50 spindle (HSK-A100 optional) provides the torque and rigidity needed for aggressive roughing in tool steels, while Makino's core-cooling and under-race lubrication maintain thermal stability for precision finishing.
Rapid traverse reaches 36,000 mm/min (1,417 ipm) with a 20,000 mm/min cutting feedrate. The standard 30-tool ATC (expandable to 60) features a 6-second tool-to-tool time. The CAT50 taper accommodates larger-diameter cutters for productive roughing—maximum tool diameter is 120 mm with a 20 kg weight limit. Makino's Professional 6 control with SGI.5 servo technology enables the F9 to achieve surface finishes and cycle times that would typically require a dedicated finishing machine, consolidating roughing and finishing onto a single platform. The F9 competes against the Mazak VTC-800/30SR, DMG Mori DMF 360|11, and Okuma MCR-BII in the large-format VMC segment.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 1,200 mm (47.2 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 600 mm (23.6 in) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 14,000 RPM |
| Spindle Taper | CAT50 (HSK-A100 opt) |
| Table Size | 1,800 x 1,200 mm (70.9 x 47.2 in) |
| Max Workpiece Size | 1,800 x 1,200 x 500 mm (70.9 x 47.2 x 19.7 in) |
| Table Load Capacity | 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 945 ipm |
| Cutting Feedrate | 945 ipm |
| Tool Capacity | 30 |
| Tool Change Time | 6 sec |
| Max Tool Diameter | 120 mm (4.72 in) |
| Max Tool Weight | 20 kg (44.1 lb) |
| CNC Control | Makino Professional 6 (SGI.5) |
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| Metric | English |
| Spindle Rpm | 10,000 |
| Maximum Workpiece | 72.8" x 31.5" x 21.7" |
| Maximum Payload | 5,511 lbs |
| Maximum Tool Diameter | 7.87" |
| Maximum Tool Weight | 44 lbs |
Specifications sourced from makino.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Largest work envelope in the F-Series at 1,600 x 1,200 x 600 mm handles full-size automotive die blocks and large aerospace structural parts
- CAT50 spindle with 120 mm max tool diameter and 20 kg tool weight limit supports heavy roughing cutters for aggressive material removal
- 5,000 kg table load capacity accommodates the heaviest die blocks and mold bases without dynamic accuracy concerns
- SGI.5 servo control enables both chatter-free roughing and high-quality finishing on the same machine, consolidating two operations
- Core-cooled spindle and ballscrews maintain dimensional accuracy during temperature changes across multi-hour machining cycles
- 60-tool optional magazine with 6-second tool changes supports complete roughing-to-finishing programs unattended
Limitations
- 36,000 mm/min rapid traverse is moderate for a machine of this size—large-format competitors offer up to 50,000 mm/min
- 14,000 RPM CAT50 spindle is slower than high-speed 20,000+ RPM options, limiting aluminum high-speed finishing capability
- Premium pricing at $375K-$550K reflects the large-format capability but exceeds budget-oriented large VMC alternatives
- No 5-axis capability in the base configuration—the V90S or V100S are needed for simultaneous 5-axis on large parts
- Machine weight and footprint require substantial foundation preparation and floor space allocation
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
A new Makino F9 typically costs between $375,000 and $550,000 depending on configuration. The base machine with 14K RPM CAT50 spindle and 30-tool ATC starts around $375,000. Adding the HSK-A100 spindle option, 60-tool magazine, probing, high-pressure through-spindle coolant, and enhanced chip management pushes pricing to $475,000-$550,000. Used F9 machines from 2016-2022 sell for $200,000-$350,000.
02
The F9 offers a substantially larger work envelope (1,600 x 1,200 mm versus 1,300 x 1,000 mm on the F8), a bigger table (1,800 x 1,200 mm versus 1,500 x 1,000 mm), higher payload capacity (5,000 kg versus 3,000 kg), and a CAT50 spindle versus CAT40. The F9 handles larger tools (120 mm versus 80 mm diameter, 20 kg versus 8 kg weight). The F9 costs approximately $100,000-$150,000 more. Choose the F9 for oversized die/mold work and heavy roughing.
03
Yes—this is one of the F9's key value propositions. The CAT50 spindle provides the torque for aggressive roughing with large-diameter cutters, while the SGI.5 control and core-cooled components deliver finishing quality that previously required a dedicated finishing machine. Many die/mold shops consolidate both operations onto the F9, reducing part handling, setup time, and work-in-progress inventory while maintaining surface finish quality.
04
The F9's CAT50 taper provides significantly more rigidity and torque transmission than CAT40, which is critical for the heavy roughing operations this machine is designed to perform. The larger taper accommodates bigger tool holders, supporting face mills and roughing end mills up to 120 mm diameter and 20 kg. The trade-off is that CAT50 tooling is larger and more expensive than CAT40, and the maximum spindle speed is limited to 14,000 RPM.
Videos
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