Weldon Altaira

Q: How much does the Weldon Altaira cost?

The price estimate for the Weldon Altaira is uncertain: we have no price for it that we can cite and no estimate we can stand behind, so we give no figure. Configuration, tooling, automation and installation move the final price substantially. A specific price can be requested at https://machinetoolindex.com/machines/weldon-solutions-altaira#price; the request is passed to Weldon Solutions or an authorised dealer.

Specs verified 2026-10-03 · weldonsolutions.com Updated 2026-10-03

Image: weldonsolutions.com, Weldon Solutions

Key Specifications

Spindle Power

25 hp (18.6 kW), T.E.F.C.

max work swing

16 in (406 mm)

max distance between centers

40 in (1,016 mm)

worktable travel

53 in (1,346 mm)

wheel slide travel

13.5 in (343 mm)

workhead spindle nose

6 in A2 (ASME)

How much does the Weldon Altaira cost?

Price estimate

Uncertain

We do not have a price for the Weldon Altaira that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.

Overview

The Weldon Altaira is a 16 in (406 mm) swing CNC cylindrical grinder with 40 in (1,016 mm) between centers and a 25 hp (18.6 kW) wheel motor behind a 24 in (610 mm) diameter, 5.0 in (127 mm) wide wheel. At 22,000 lb (9,979 kg) it outweighs the Midas, listed at 19,800 lb (8,981 kg) (S-2, A-2) or 20,100 lb (9,117 kg) (S-3, A-3), and the Gold at 15,500 lb (7,031 kg).

The axis hardware is the part of the table to read closely. Z is driven by a FANUC linear motor, a drive with no screw or nut between motor and slide, so there is nothing to wind up on reversal during traverse grinding. X uses a precision ground preloaded ballscrew, with 13.5 in (343 mm) of wheel slide travel. Command resolution is 0.000010 in and position feedback resolution is 0.0000010 in, a tenth of the command step. Worktable travel is 53 in (1,346 mm).

A 5.0 in (127 mm) wheel face lets a wide journal be plunge ground in one infeed, and 25 hp (18.6 kW) is there to drive that width at the nominal 8,500 SFPM. The Midas reaches the same motor rating only in its S-3 and A-3 versions, and the Gold has 15 hp (11.2 kW).

Part drive comes from a 5.0 hp (3.7 kW) FANUC AC servo workhead running 0-900 rpm, with a 6 in A2 (ASME) spindle nose for chucks, a #5 Morse center and a 1.0625 in (27 mm) through hole. The tailstock takes a #5 Morse center too and retracts 3 in (76 mm) by manual lever. Where 16 in (406 mm) of swing is not enough, a 22 in (559 mm) swing is listed as an option.

Installation needs 144 x 130 x 94 in (3,658 x 3,302 x 2,388 mm) (W x D x H), a 480 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz supply and 5 SCFM of air at 80 psi. The base is a welded steel Shear Damper structure, not a casting. No maximum workpiece weight appears in the table, so confirm it against your heaviest part.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Work Swing	16 in (406 mm)
Max Distance Between Centers	40 in (1,016 mm)
Worktable Travel	53 in (1,346 mm)
Wheel Slide Travel	13.5 in (343 mm)
Workhead Spindle Nose	6 in A2 (ASME)
Workhead Center Taper	#5 Morse
Workhead Through Hole	1.0625 in (27 mm)
Workhead Speed	0-900 rpm
Workhead Motor	5.0 hp (3.7 kW) FANUC AC servo
Spindle Motor Power	25 hp (18.6 kW), T.E.F.C.
Wheel Speed	8,500 SFPM (nominal)
Wheel Size	24 in (610 mm) dia x 5.0 in (127 mm) wide
Tailstock Center Taper	#5 Morse
Tailstock Quill Retraction	3 in (76 mm) (manual lever)
Table Drive Motors	1.9 hp (1.4 kW) FANUC AC digital servo
Command Resolution	0.000010 in
Position Feedback Resolution	0.0000010 in
X Axis Drive	Precision ground preloaded ballscrew
Z Axis Drive	FANUC linear motor
CNC Control	FANUC 0i-TF
Power Requirement	480 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz
Air Requirement	80 psi, 5 SCFM
Machine Dimensions	144 x 130 x 94 in (3,658 x 3,302 x 2,388 mm) (W x D x H)
Machine Weight	22,000 lb (9,979 kg)
Base Construction	Welded steel Shear Damper
Optional Swing	22 in (559 mm)

Specifications sourced from weldonsolutions.com — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

FANUC linear motor on the Z axis, with a precision ground preloaded ballscrew on X
25 hp (18.6 kW) wheel motor and a 24 in (610 mm) dia x 5.0 in (127 mm) wide wheel for wide plunge grinds
Position feedback resolution of 0.0000010 in against a command resolution of 0.000010 in
40 in (1,016 mm) between centers with 53 in (1,346 mm) of worktable travel
Swing can be ordered at 22 in (559 mm) in place of the standard 16 in (406 mm)
6 in A2 (ASME) workhead nose and #5 Morse centers at both ends accept common chucks and centers

Limitations

Needs a 480 V, 3-phase supply, 144 x 130 in (3,658 x 3,302 mm) of floor and handling for 22,000 lb (9,979 kg)
The tailstock quill retracts 3 in (76 mm) by manual lever; no powered tailstock is listed
The 22 in (559 mm) swing is an option, not part of the standard 16 in (406 mm) machine
The table states no maximum workpiece weight and no rapid traverse rates, so both have to be confirmed with Weldon
Workhead speed stops at 900 rpm, which is slow for grinding very small diameters

Best For

Shafts and rolls up to 40 in (1,016 mm) between centers Wide plunge grinds under a 5.0 in (127 mm) wheel face Traverse grinding on a linear motor Z axis with no screw in the drive Chuck work on the 6 in A2 (ASME) spindle nose Larger diameters with the optional 22 in (559 mm) swing

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What drives the axes on the Weldon Altaira?

The Z axis has a FANUC linear motor and the X axis a precision ground preloaded ballscrew. The table also lists 1.9 hp (1.4 kW) FANUC AC digital servo table drive motors. Command resolution is 0.000010 in and position feedback resolution is 0.0000010 in. The control is a FANUC 0i-TF.

02 What grinding wheel does the Altaira carry?

A wheel 24 in (610 mm) in diameter and 5.0 in (127 mm) wide, driven by a 25 hp (18.6 kW) T.E.F.C. motor at a nominal 8,500 SFPM. Wheel slide travel is 13.5 in (343 mm).

03 How large a part fits on the Altaira?

Standard maximum work swing is 16 in (406 mm) and the maximum distance between centers is 40 in (1,016 mm). A 22 in (559 mm) swing is listed as an option. The table does not give a maximum workpiece weight, so check heavy parts with Weldon before committing.

04 What does the Altaira need at installation?

A 480 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz electrical supply and 5 SCFM of compressed air at 80 psi. The machine measures 144 x 130 x 94 in (3,658 x 3,302 x 2,388 mm) (W x D x H) and weighs 22,000 lb (9,979 kg), so rigging and floor loading need planning ahead of delivery.

05 How does the Altaira differ from the Midas and the Gold?

On the figures available, the Altaira has 25 hp (18.6 kW) at the wheel in every version, where the Midas has 20 hp (14.9 kW) on the S-2 and A-2 and 25 hp (18.6 kW) on the S-3 and A-3, and the Gold has 15 hp (11.2 kW). It is also the heaviest: 22,000 lb (9,979 kg) against 20,100 lb (9,117 kg) for the Midas S-3 and A-3 and 15,500 lb (7,031 kg) for the Gold. All three use the FANUC 0i-TF control.