Makino L2 APC

$130,000 - $195,000 Updated 2026-03-13

Key Specifications

X Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Y Travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Z Travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Max Spindle

16,000 RPM (8,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

HSK-A50

Tool Capacity

15 (HSK-A50) - Standard (30 opt)

Overview

The Makino L2 APC is a high-performance compact vertical machining center designed specifically for high-volume, small-part manufacturing with an integral automatic pallet changer. Combining rigid construction, a compact footprint, and flexible spindle design, the L2 APC offers a highly stable and reliable machine platform for fully unattended, around-the-clock part processing. The pallet changer maximizes spindle utilization by allowing loading on one pallet while machining on another.

Axis travel spans 400 x 300 x 300 mm (15.7 x 11.8 x 11.8 in) on X/Y/Z—compact but precisely right for the small production parts the machine targets. The A-axis provides 0.001-degree indexing resolution for precision angular positioning. The standard 16,000 RPM HSK-A50 spindle (8,000 RPM high-torque optional) delivers the speed and rigidity needed for productive cutting in aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. The 120 mm diameter pallet table accommodates small fixturing with up to 300 kg (661 lb) payload.

Rapid traverse and cutting feedrate both reach 48 m/min (1,890 ipm)—identical rates that indicate a motion system optimized for aggressive, high-speed cutting rather than conventional separate rapid and feed regimes. The standard 15-tool ATC with HSK-A50 tooling (expandable to 30) features an impressively fast 3.5-4.5 second chip-to-chip time. Maximum tool diameter is 30 mm (80 mm adjacent empty). The L2 APC competes against the Fanuc ROBODRILL, Brother Speedio, and Kitamura Mycenter-0 in the compact high-speed production VMC segment for small parts.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Y-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Z-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
A Axis Resolution	0.001°
Max Spindle Speed	16,000 RPM (8,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	HSK-A50
Pallet Size	120 mm diameter
Table Load Capacity	300 kg (661 lb)
Max Workpiece Size	600 x 400 x 500 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 19.7 in)
Rapid Traverse Rate	1,890 ipm
Cutting Feedrate	1,890 ipm
Tool Capacity	15 (HSK-A50) - Standard (30 opt)
Chip To Chip Time	3.5 - 4.5 sec
Max Tool Diameter	30 mm / 80 mm adj (1.18 / 3.15 in)
Max Tool Weight	5 kg (11 lb)
CNC Control	Makino Professional 6
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Metric	English
A Axis	0.001°
Spindle Rpm	16,000 (HSK-A50), Optional - 8,000 (HSK-A50)
Maximum Workpiece	39.4" x 19.7" x 17.7"
Maximum Payload	661 lbs
Chip To Chip	3.5 to 4.5 sec
Maximum Tool Diameter	1.18" / 3.14" (ALL/ADJ)
Maximum Tool Weight	11 lbs
Optional Atc Capacity	Yes
Makinooptionalatccapacity	Yes

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Integral pallet changer maximizes spindle utilization for around-the-clock small-part production without operator-dependent setup downtime
3.5-4.5 second chip-to-chip time is exceptionally fast, critical for short-cycle parts where tool change time is a significant portion of cycle time
48 m/min feed and rapid rates matched at the same speed enable aggressive high-speed cutting strategies
Compact footprint with pallet changer enables high-density production cell layouts for maximum output per square meter
HSK-A50 taper provides superior rigidity over BT30 for better accuracy and tool life in production environments
0.001-degree A-axis resolution enables precise angular positioning for multi-face machining of small complex parts

Limitations

120 mm diameter pallet table is very small, limiting workpiece size and fixturing options to truly small parts
400 x 300 x 300 mm travel restricts the machine to small components—anything larger requires the L2 Table or other platforms
Standard 15-tool ATC is restrictive; even the 30-tool option may limit complex multi-operation programs
Specialized small-part focus means limited resale flexibility compared to general-purpose VMCs

Best For

High-volume small-part manufacturers in medical devices, electronics, and precision instruments requiring 24/7 unattended production Watch and jewelry manufacturers machining small precision components with tight tolerances and complex features Automotive production facilities running small engine, transmission, and fuel system components at high volumes Shops building automated production cells for small parts where fast tool changes and pallet swaps maximize throughput Medical implant manufacturers producing small titanium and cobalt-chrome components requiring consistent accuracy across high volumes

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Makino L2 APC cost?

A new Makino L2 APC typically costs between $130,000 and $195,000. The base machine with 16K RPM spindle, 15-tool ATC, and pallet changer starts around $130,000. Adding the 30-tool magazine, 8K high-torque spindle, probing, and enhanced coolant pushes pricing toward $165,000-$195,000.

02 What is the difference between the L2 APC and L2 Table?

The L2 APC uses a 120 mm diameter pallet with automatic pallet changer, while the L2 Table uses a standard 600 x 400 mm fixed table. The L2 Table has a much larger work surface but no pallet change capability. The L2 Table has a lower payload capacity (60 kg) but accommodates wider parts. The L2 APC has a standard 15-tool ATC (30 opt) while the L2 Table comes standard with 30 tools. Choose the APC for maximum spindle utilization on small parts; choose the Table for larger work surfaces.

03 How fast is the chip-to-chip time?

The L2 APC achieves 3.5-4.5 second chip-to-chip times, which is among the fastest in its class. This speed is critical for small-part production where cycle times may be only 30-120 seconds and tool change frequency is high. The fast chip-to-chip time combined with the pallet changer creates a platform optimized for absolute minimum non-cutting time.

04 Can the L2 APC be integrated with robotic automation?

Yes. While the integral pallet changer provides built-in automation for part changeover, robots can also be integrated for pallet loading and unloading. The compact footprint and small pallet size make robotic part handling straightforward. Many L2 APC installations use robots to load raw stock onto pallets in a fully lights-out production configuration.

05 Why is the pallet table only 120 mm diameter?

The 120 mm diameter pallet is intentionally small because the L2 APC targets high-volume small-part production. A small pallet enables fast pallet swaps, keeps the machine compact, and ensures precise positioning. Parts are typically fixtured individually or in small multiples on the pallet using precision vises or custom fixturing. For larger work surfaces, Makino offers the L2 Table variant with a 600 x 400 mm fixed table.