Mazak VORTEX II
Image: mazak.com, Yamazaki Mazak
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
How much does the Mazak VORTEX II cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a 5-axis machining center in this class — not a quote from Yamazaki Mazak. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The Mazak VORTEX II series is a pair of 5-axis profilers for large aerospace components, built around a spindle head that tilts ±40° on both an A-axis and a B-axis. Mazak offers two constructions: the column-feed VORTEX 815/120-II and the double-column VORTEX 1400/160-II, which it describes as having a large table.
These are long, shallow machines. X travel runs from 120 in (3,048 mm) to 165 in (4,191 mm) and Y from 32 in (813 mm) to 55 in (1,397 mm), yet Z is 24 in (610 mm) on both. Table load goes from 6,614 lb (3,000 kg) to 15,432 lb (7,000 kg) and machine weight from 48,502 lb (22,000 kg) to 81,571 lb (37,000 kg). With only two models, each end of a range is one machine's figure, but the series table does not pair them, so read the model's own table before matching a part to a machine.
Mazak's case for the tilting head is about cutters. A 3-axis vertical has to follow a contoured wall with a small ball-end mill; a head that tilts can lay the side of an ordinary end mill against the wall instead. Both rotary axes are driven by backlash-free roller gear cams, indexed in 0.0001-degree increments, which Mazak says transmit more than twice the torque of a conventional worm drive.
The standard spindle is CAT No.50 at 10,000 rpm, rated 30 kW (40 HP) continuous and 37 kW (50 HP) on a 30 min. rating. Torque is modest for the taper: 70.1 ft-lb (95 Nm) continuous and 86.3 ft-lb (117 Nm) on a 30 min. rating. Mazak also describes an 18000 rpm spindle, given as AC 75 kW (100 HP), for contouring with small-diameter tools.
The magazine holds 30 tools of up to 15 in (381 mm) and 44 lb (20 kg), Ø5 in (127 mm) with full pockets or Ø8 in (203 mm) with adjacent pockets empty. Rapids are unhurried: 787 ipm (20 m/min) to 945 ipm (24 m/min) on X, 945 ipm (24 m/min) to 1,260 ipm (32 m/min) on Y and 787 ipm (20 m/min) on Z.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Models in Series | 2 models: VORTEX 815/120-II, VORTEX 1400/160-II |
| Max Table Load | 6,614 lb (3,000 kg) to 15,432 lb (7,000 kg) |
| Spindle Taper | CAT No.50 |
| Max Spindle Speed | 10,000 rpm |
| Spindle Max Torque 30 Min Rating | 86.3 ft-lb (117 Nm) (30 min. rating) |
| Spindle Torque | 70.1 ft-lb (95 Nm) continuous |
| Spindle Power Intermittent | 37 kW (50 HP) (30 min. rating) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 30 kW (40 HP) continuous |
| Tool Capacity | 30 tools |
| Max Tool Diameter (full magazine) | Ø5 in (127 mm) |
| Max Tool Diameter (adjacent pockets empty) | Ø8 in (203 mm) |
| Max Tool Length | 15 in (381 mm) |
| Max Tool Weight | 44 lb (20 kg) |
| X-Axis Travel | 120 in (3,048 mm) to 165 in (4,191 mm) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 32 in (813 mm) to 55 in (1,397 mm) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 24 in (610 mm) |
| A Axis Range | ±40° |
| B Axis Range | ±40° |
| Rapid Traverse X | 787 ipm (20 m/min) to 945 ipm (24 m/min) |
| Rapid Traverse Y | 945 ipm (24 m/min) to 1,260 ipm (32 m/min) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 787 ipm (20 m/min) |
| Machine Height | 120 in (3,048 mm) to 160 in (4,064 mm) |
| Machine Weight | 48,502 lb (22,000 kg) to 81,571 lb (37,000 kg) |
Specifications sourced from mazak.com — verified 2026-10-02
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Spindle head tilts ±40° on both A and B, so contoured side faces can be cut with ordinary end mills
- X travel from 120 in (3,048 mm) up to 165 in (4,191 mm) for long structural parts
- Backlash-free roller gear cams on A and B, indexed in 0.0001-degree increments
- An 18000 rpm, AC 75 kW (100 HP) spindle is described for small-tool contouring alongside the standard 10,000 rpm CAT No.50 spindle
- Table load up to 15,432 lb (7,000 kg) at the top of the series
Limitations
- Tilt is limited to ±40° on each axis, so faces beyond that angle need another setup
- Z travel is 24 in (610 mm) on both models, which rules out deep parts
- Continuous torque of the standard spindle is 70.1 ft-lb (95 Nm), low for heavy roughing with CAT No.50 tooling
- The magazine holds 30 tools, with a 15 in (381 mm) length limit
- Rapids are 787 ipm (20 m/min) on Z and no more than 945 ipm (24 m/min) on X
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Two. Mazak lists the VORTEX 815/120-II, a column-feed type, and the VORTEX 1400/160-II, a double-column machine with a large table. Both have a CAT No.50, 10,000 rpm standard spindle on a head that tilts ±40° on the A-axis and the B-axis, a 30-tool magazine and 24 in (610 mm) of Z travel.
02
X travel is 120 in (3,048 mm) to 165 in (4,191 mm), Y is 32 in (813 mm) to 55 in (1,397 mm) and Z is 24 in (610 mm). Table load is 6,614 lb (3,000 kg) to 15,432 lb (7,000 kg) and machine weight 48,502 lb (22,000 kg) to 81,571 lb (37,000 kg). Those are the two models' figures side by side; the model's own table shows which belongs to which.
03
Because the axes tilt the spindle, not the part. Mazak describes the ±40 degree range as suited to aerospace components: where a 3-axis vertical machining center typically needs small-diameter ball-end milling for complex contours, the tilting spindle uses an ordinary end mill for side face machining. It is not a range for five-sided machining of a block.
04
The standard CAT No.50 spindle runs to 10,000 rpm with 30 kW (40 HP) continuous and 37 kW (50 HP) on a 30 min. rating. Torque is 70.1 ft-lb (95 Nm) continuous and 86.3 ft-lb (117 Nm) on a 30 min. rating. Mazak also describes an AC 75 kW (100 HP), 18000 rpm spindle for complex contours with small-diameter tools; its duty rating is not stated.
05
Both reach 165 in (4,191 mm) of X, but they are different machines. The VORTEX Horizontal Profiler has an HSK-A63 spindle at 26,000 rpm to 30,000 rpm, 59 in (1,499 mm) of Y and a 6,614 lb (3,000 kg) table load. The VORTEX II uses a CAT No.50 spindle at 10,000 rpm as standard and carries up to 15,432 lb (7,000 kg), so it covers steel as well as non-ferrous parts.
06
The magazine holds 30 tools. Each can be up to Ø5 in (127 mm) with all pockets full, Ø8 in (203 mm) with the adjacent pockets empty, 15 in (381 mm) long and 44 lb (20 kg). The length limit matters on deep pockets, since Z travel is 24 in (610 mm).
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