FANUC RoboNano a-0iB

The FANUC RoboNano a-0iB is not a machining center in the conventional sense — it's an ultra-precision 5-axis diamond turning and milling machine designed for nanometer-level surface finish and sub-micron form accuracy. FANUC developed the RoboNano to address the growing demand for optical-quality surfaces on precision molds, lens inserts, and micro-structured components that traditional CNC machines cannot achieve. This machine operates in a realm where surface roughness is measured in single-digit nanometers and form accuracy is specified in fractions of a micron.

The RoboNano a-0iB features five axes of motion with hydrostatic oil bearing slides and direct-drive rotary axes, eliminating friction and backlash entirely. X/Y/Z travels are modest at 200 x 100 x 100 mm — this is a machine for small, ultra-precision parts only. The spindle operates at up to 50,000 RPM for micro-milling operations, while the C-axis provides precision rotation for single-point diamond turning. The machine achieves surface finishes of Ra 1-5 nanometers on non-ferrous materials and form accuracy of ±0.1 micrometers, numbers that put it in the same class as specialized diamond turning machines from Moore Nanotechnology and Precitech.

The target applications are highly specialized: optical mold inserts for LED and smartphone lenses, Fresnel lens molds, micro-lens array tooling, diffraction grating masters, and other components requiring optical-quality surfaces directly from the machine without manual polishing. The RoboNano can also machine complex freeform surfaces with 5-axis simultaneous control, enabling micro-structured surfaces and aspherical geometries that single-point diamond lathes cannot produce.

Pricing for the RoboNano a-0iB is not published openly, but industry sources indicate machines in the $500,000 to $1,000,000+ range depending on configuration and options. The machine requires a temperature-controlled environment (±0.1°C) and vibration-isolated foundation. This is a specialty machine for organizations with specific ultra-precision requirements — typically optical lens manufacturers, research institutions, and semiconductor tooling companies. FANUC's advantage is integrating their CNC control expertise with ultra-precision mechanical design, offering 5-axis simultaneous capability that most diamond turning machines lack.