Makino iQ500

Est. $500,000 - $800,000 Specs verified 2026-10-02 · makino.com Updated 2026-10-02

Image: makino.com, Makino

Key Specifications

X Travel

600 mm (23.6 in)

Y Travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

Z Travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Max Spindle

45,000 rpm

Spindle Taper

HSK-E32

Tool Capacity

How much does the Makino iQ500 cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$500,000 - $800,000

Our best estimate for a vertical machining centers (vmc) in this class — not a quote from Makino. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Makino iQ500 is the larger of Makino's two iQ precision micro milling machines, with 600 mm (23.6 in) of X, 500 mm (19.7 in) of Y and 300 mm (11.8 in) of Z around a 45,000 rpm HSK-E32 spindle. Makino aims it at LED tooling, optic surface finishes and other high-tolerance parts that outgrow the iQ300.

Size is what this model adds. The table is 800 mm x 500 mm (31.5 in x 19.7 in), and a workpiece may be up to 755 mm x 500 mm x 300 mm (29.7 in x 19.7 in x 11.8 in) and 300 kg (661 lb). The iQ300 takes 100 kg (220 lb), so the iQ500 carries three times the load. That opens the door to larger optical molds and plates with micro features spread across them, still on the same spindle.

Tooling stays micro-scale. The 40-tool magazine takes tools up to 20 mm (0.78 in) in diameter and 0.5 kg (1.1 lb), and tool-to-tool time is 8 sec. That is slow for a production machine, but on a mold finished by one small ball mill over many hours the change time hardly counts. It does count on jobs with many short operations. X and Y move at 16,000 mm/min and Z at 8,000 mm/min, in rapid and in cut alike.

The precision hardware matches the smaller model: a linear motor design, 0.005-micron scale feedback, temperature-controlled components and a spindle with core-cooling, under-race and jacket temperature control. HyATLM, Makino's hybrid automatic tool length measurement, gauges tools to sub-micron levels so surfaces from different tools meet cleanly. Spindle power and torque are not in the table.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Table Size	800 mm x 500 mm (31.5 in x 19.7 in)
X-Axis Travel	600 mm (23.6 in)
Y-Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Max Spindle Speed	45,000 rpm
Spindle Taper	HSK-E32
Rapid Traverse Rate	16,000 mm/min (X / Y) / 8,000 mm/min (Z) (630 ipm (X / Y) / 315 ipm (Z))
Cutting Feedrate	16,000 mm/min (X / Y) / 8,000 mm/min (Z) (630 ipm (X / Y) / 315 ipm (Z))
Max Workpiece Size	755 mm x 500 mm x 300 mm (29.7 in x 19.7 in x 11.8 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	300 kg (661 lb)
Tool Capacity	40
Tool to Tool Time	8 sec
Max Tool Diameter (full magazine)	20 mm (0.78 in)
Max Tool Weight	0.5 kg (1.1 lb)

Specifications sourced from makino.com — verified 2026-10-02

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

600 mm (23.6 in) of X, 500 mm (19.7 in) of Y and 300 mm (11.8 in) of Z, the larger envelope of the iQ pair
Workpieces up to 755 mm x 500 mm x 300 mm (29.7 in x 19.7 in x 11.8 in) and 300 kg (661 lb)
45,000 rpm HSK-E32 spindle with core-cooling, under-race and jacket temperature control
0.005-micron scale feedback with a linear motor design
HyATLM tool length measurement to sub-micron levels

Limitations

8 sec tool-to-tool time slows jobs with frequent tool changes
Tools limited to 20 mm (0.78 in) in diameter and 0.5 kg (1.1 lb)
Z axis moves at 8,000 mm/min (315 ipm), half the X and Y rate
No spindle power or torque in Makino's table; the HSK-E32 spindle is for light cuts

Best For

LED tooling and optical molds too large for the iQ300 High-tolerance parts up to 300 kg (661 lb) Long finishing cycles with small tools at 45,000 rpm Micro features spread across larger plates

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How much bigger is the iQ500 than the iQ300?

The iQ300 has 400 mm (15.7 in) of X, 350 mm (13.78 in) of Y and 200 mm (7.87 in) of Z on a 600 x 400 mm (23.6 in x 15.7 in) table, with a 100 kg (220 lb) limit. The iQ500 has 600 mm (23.6 in), 500 mm (19.7 in) and 300 mm (11.8 in) on an 800 mm x 500 mm (31.5 in x 19.7 in) table and takes 300 kg (661 lb).

02 What are the tool limits on the iQ500?

Up to 40 tools, each at most 20 mm (0.78 in) in diameter and 0.5 kg (1.1 lb), on an HSK-E32 taper. Tool-to-tool time is 8 sec, so plan programs around few, long tool engagements rather than many quick changes.

03 How fast are the iQ500's axes?

16,000 mm/min (630 ipm) in X and Y and 8,000 mm/min (315 ipm) in Z, the same for rapid traverse and cutting feed. Micro tools rarely need more feed than that, so the axes are not the limit for the work this machine is built for.

04 What keeps the iQ500 thermally stable?

Makino lists component temperature control on the machine and a core-cooling, under-race and jacket temperature control system on the 45,000 rpm spindle. Together with 0.005-micron scale feedback, these are meant to remove thermal distortion and tool positioning error from long runs.