Palmary PG-612CN
Key Specifications
Table Size
table longitudinal travel
table cross travel
vertical travel
max workpiece height
max workpiece weight
Overview
The Palmary PG-612CN is a CNC automatic surface grinder from Taiwan's Palmary Machinery, designed for the 12 x 6 inch (300 x 150 mm) workpiece class — one of the most common table sizes in North American and Asian tool rooms, job shops, and precision manufacturing. Palmary is one of Taiwan's leading grinding machine manufacturers, exporting extensively to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and the PG-612CN represents their CNC-controlled entry in the production automatic surface grinding segment.
The PG-612CN uses a horizontal spindle with a permanent magnetic chuck as the standard workholding system, which is the conventional configuration for precision surface grinding of ferromagnetic workpieces. The machine is equipped with a Mitsubishi or Fanuc CNC control (depending on configuration and market), providing standard surface grinding cycles including reciprocating grinding, plunge grinding, and automatic wheel dressing. The CNC automation allows the machine to run complete grinding cycles — including multiple infeed passes and final spark-out — without continuous operator attention.
Taiwanese surface grinders like the PG-612CN occupy an important market position: they offer substantially better precision and build quality than entry-level Chinese grinders, at prices well below European or Japanese equivalents from manufacturers like Studer, ELB-Schliff, or Okamoto's premium lines. For shops that need reliable CNC surface grinding of hardened steel dies, fixtures, gauges, and precision components without the capital outlay of premium European machines, the PG-612CN represents a practical value proposition.
Pricing for a new PG-612CN typically runs $30,000 to $55,000, depending on control configuration and accessories. This positions it as an accessible CNC surface grinder for small to medium shops. Competitive alternatives include the Kent USA KGS-612 AHD and the Chevalier FSG-618ADIV in the Taiwanese CNC surface grinder category, and the Okamoto ACC-1224DX at the next quality and price tier.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Table Size | 300 x 150 mm (12 x 6 in) |
| Table Longitudinal Travel | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Table Cross Travel | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Vertical Travel | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Max Workpiece Height | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 50 kg (110 lb) |
| Grinding Spindle Power | 1.5 kW (2 HP) |
| Grinding Spindle Speed | 2,840 RPM |
| Max Grinding Wheel Diameter | 200 mm (8 in) |
| Max Grinding Wheel Width | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Table Speed | 3 – 25,000 mm/min |
| Vertical Infeed Resolution | 0.001 mm (0.00004 in) |
| Guideway System | Precision linear guideways |
| Magnetic Chuck | Permanent magnetic (standard) |
| CNC Control | Mitsubishi M70 or Fanuc OiTD CNC |
Specifications sourced from palmary.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- CNC automation with programmed infeed, spark-out, and auto-dressing cycles frees the operator from continuous attention — one person can supervise multiple machines simultaneously
- Taiwanese manufacturing quality at a price point significantly below European and premium Japanese alternatives — provides solid precision for tool room and production surface grinding at accessible cost
- Mitsubishi or Fanuc CNC control with wide service support in North America, Asia, and Europe — not dependent on a proprietary control for parts and service
- Compact 12 x 6 inch table size is well-matched to the most common tool room workpiece sizes — die inserts, gauges, fixtures, and small precision plates
Limitations
- The 1.5 kW spindle is limited in metal removal rate — the PG-612CN is a precision finishing machine, not a heavy stock-removal grinder; shops needing fast material removal require a more powerful machine
- The 12 x 6 inch table limits the machine to relatively small workpieces; shops regularly grinding larger plates or dies need a wider-table option like the Okamoto ACC-1632DX or ELB smartLine W
- As a Taiwanese manufacturer, Palmary's North American service network is thinner than Okamoto's or ELB's — shops should confirm local service support before purchasing
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
With appropriate grinding wheel selection, wheel dressing, and coolant, the PG-612CN can achieve surface finishes of Ra 0.2–0.4 µm (8–16 µin) in normal operation, and Ra 0.1 µm (4 µin) or better in finish grinding conditions with fine-grit wheels and careful setup. Achieving the finest finishes requires attention to wheel balance, dressing frequency, and minimizing vibration sources. For comparison, a typical milled surface is Ra 1.6–3.2 µm, so even the PG-612CN's normal output represents a significant improvement over machined surfaces.
02
Yes, with proper setup. The permanent magnetic chuck holds only ferromagnetic (steel and iron) workpieces. For aluminum, brass, or other non-ferrous materials, the workpiece must be held with mechanical fixturing (vises, step clamps, or adhesive mounting) rather than the magnetic chuck. Aluminum grinding requires a softer, more open wheel grade to prevent wheel loading. Many shops use the PG-612CN for steel and hardened steel exclusively and dedicate a separate machine for non-ferrous grinding.
03
Taiwan's grinding machine industry includes several respected manufacturers: Palmary, Chevalier, Kent (now Kent USA), Luren, and Tong Yi. Palmary is considered among the upper tier of Taiwanese producers, with good build quality, solid after-sales support through their international dealer network, and a full product line covering surface, cylindrical, and centerless grinding. Chevalier is also well-regarded. Kent USA has a strong North American dealer presence. For precision and quality, all three are comparable and represent good value versus European alternatives at similar price points.
04
The PG-612CN includes a single-point diamond dresser with CNC-controlled dressing cycles as standard or optional depending on the configuration purchased. The CNC dresser can be programmed to dress after a specified number of grinding passes or when the part size drifts beyond tolerance — reducing wheel loading and maintaining consistent surface finish and part size across a production run. Automatic dressing is a key advantage of CNC surface grinders over manual machines.
05
Flatness accuracy depends on workpiece material, fixturing, thermal conditions, and grinding setup. Under controlled conditions, the PG-612CN can hold flatness of 0.003–0.005 mm (0.00012–0.00020 in) over the 300 mm table length for hardened steel workpieces. This is adequate for most tool room and precision manufacturing applications. For higher flatness requirements, a premium machine with a mineral casting base and higher-precision guideways — such as the Okamoto ACC series — is recommended.
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