Niles-Simmons N20 MC
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Turn Length
max swing diameter
main spindle power
Overview
The Niles-Simmons N20 MC is a heavy-duty CNC mill-turn center designed for complete machining of medium-to-large shafts, rotors, and cylindrical components in a single setup. Built in Chemnitz, Germany, by Niles-Simmons Industrieanlagen (part of the NSH Group), the N20 MC swings up to 600 mm over the bed with turning lengths to 3,000 mm in standard configuration. The "MC" designation indicates full milling capability with a driven tool spindle, transforming what would be a pure turning center into a complete mill-turn platform capable of drilling, tapping, and contour milling without unclamping the workpiece.
The main spindle delivers 45 kW (60 hp) of continuous power with infinitely variable speeds to 3,000 rpm, driven through a direct-drive motor for smooth torque delivery across the full speed range. The milling spindle provides 22 kW (30 hp) with speeds to 12,000 rpm and is mounted on a B-axis swivel head that indexes in 0.001-degree increments, enabling complex angular features, cross-holes, and contoured surfaces. The Y-axis travel of +/-100 mm combined with C-axis provides full off-centerline machining capability.
Niles-Simmons builds the N20 MC on a slant-bed design with hardened and ground box guideways, paired with precision ball screws on all linear axes. The machine bed is a single-piece casting of high-quality grey cast iron, stress-relieved and hand-scraped on all bearing surfaces. This construction gives the N20 MC the vibration damping and thermal stability needed for finishing operations on hardened shafts and precision rotors where surface finish and concentricity are critical.
New N20 MC machines price in the $400,000 to $650,000 range depending on turning length, sub-spindle configuration, and automation options. The machine competes with WFL Millturn M40, Mazak Integrex e-420H, and Okuma Multus B400 in the medium-class mill-turn segment. Niles-Simmons has a particularly strong reputation in crankshaft, camshaft, and landing gear machining for the automotive and aerospace industries.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Swing Diameter | 600 mm (23.6 in) |
| Max Turning Length | 3,000 mm (118.1 in) standard |
| Main Spindle Power | 45 kW (60 hp) continuous |
| Main Spindle Speed | 3,000 rpm |
| Main Spindle Bore | 100 mm (3.94 in) |
| Milling Spindle Power | 22 kW (30 hp) |
| Milling Spindle Speed | 12,000 rpm |
| B Axis Range | +/-120 degrees |
| B Axis Resolution | 0.001 degree |
| X-Axis Travel | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | +/-100 mm (+/-3.94 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 3,000 mm (118.1 in) standard |
| Tool Magazine Capacity | 40 - 80 tools |
| CNC Control | Siemens 840D SL |
| Tailstock Quill Diameter | 120 mm (4.72 in) |
| Machine Weight | 18,000 kg (39,683 lb) approx |
| Sun | Mon |
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Complete mill-turn capability with 22 kW milling spindle and B-axis eliminates secondary setups on complex shaft and rotor components
- 45 kW main spindle with direct drive delivers smooth torque across the full speed range for consistent surface finishes on precision turned surfaces
- German engineering heritage with particular expertise in crankshaft, camshaft, and aerospace landing gear machining applications
- Hardened box guideways with hand-scraped surfaces provide superior damping and long-term accuracy compared to linear rail designs
- B-axis indexes in 0.001-degree increments, enabling precise angular features and compound milling operations
- 3,000 mm standard turning length accommodates long shafts, rotors, and axles without custom machine modifications
Limitations
- 600 mm swing limits the machine to medium-diameter parts; shops turning larger flanges or housings need the N30 MC or N40 MC
- Limited dealer network outside Europe, with North American service support thinner than Mazak or Okuma alternatives
- 12,000 rpm milling spindle speed is adequate but lower than the 20,000+ rpm available on some competing mill-turn platforms
- Higher acquisition cost than Japanese or Korean mill-turn alternatives of similar capacity
- Niles-Simmons brand is less well-known in North American shops than WFL, Mazak, or DMG Mori mill-turn machines
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New N20 MC machines typically price between $400,000 and $650,000 depending on turning length, sub-spindle option, and automation. Used machines are uncommon in the secondary market due to the relatively small installed base.
02
The N40 MC is the larger platform with 800 mm max swing vs 600 mm on the N20 MC, higher spindle power, and greater turning lengths. The N20 MC is the mid-range offering for parts up to about 600 mm diameter, while the N40 MC handles larger shafts and rotors.
03
Yes. The N20 MC combines turning with full milling, drilling, and tapping capability via the B-axis milling spindle. Complex parts with turned diameters, cross-holes, keyways, flats, and contoured features can be completed in a single clamping, eliminating setup errors between machines.
04
The N20 MC runs on a Siemens 840D SL control, which is the standard for German-built multi-axis machine tools. The 840D SL supports simultaneous multi-channel operation for coordinated turning and milling cycles.
05
Niles-Simmons has the strongest presence in aerospace (landing gear, actuators), automotive powertrain (crankshafts, camshafts), energy (turbine shafts, rotors), and defense applications. The company has decades of application experience in these sectors.
Videos
THE NSH GROUP (NILES-SIMMONS-HEGENSCHEIDT)
THE NSH GROUP (NILES-SIMMONS-HEGENSCHEIDT)
THE NSH GROUP (NILES-SIMMONS-HEGENSCHEIDT)
EMUK GmbH Werkzeugmaschinen
THE NSH GROUP (NILES-SIMMONS-HEGENSCHEIDT)
Community Discussions
Community discussion — Video of a NILES-SIMMONS N30 MC turn mill machining ... - Reddit
Community discussion — How much do you or your shop value NIMS certs? :
Community discussion — Milling machine advice : r/Machinists - Reddit
Options and configuration advice — benchtop lathe/mill recommendations? : r/Machinists - Reddit
Links to community discussions. Summaries are editorial — visit the original thread for full context.
Comparisons
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