Makino a500iR

$450,000 - $650,000 Updated 2026-03-13

Key Specifications

X Travel

560 mm (22.0 in)

Y Travel

640 mm (25.2 in)

Z Travel

640 mm (25.2 in)

Max Spindle

14,000 RPM (20,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

CAT40 (std/14k) / HSK-A63 (opt/14k; req’d/20k & 24k)

Tool Capacity

90 tools (std) / 133, 218, 311 tools (opts.)

Overview

The Makino a500iR is a 5-axis horizontal machining center designed for high-mix aerospace and industrial production. It takes the proven a51nx HMC platform and adds a tilting spindle head to enable full 5-axis simultaneous machining in a horizontal orientation. This gives shops the chip evacuation advantages of a horizontal spindle combined with the geometric flexibility of 5-axis contouring — a combination that is particularly valuable for aerospace structural components and complex industrial parts.

Axis travel runs 560 x 640 x 640 mm (22.0 x 25.2 x 25.2 in) on X/Y/Z, matching the a51nx's linear envelope. The A-axis (spindle tilt) ranges from +30 to -120 degrees while the B-axis provides full 360-degree continuous rotation, both direct-drive for speed and accuracy. The 400 x 400 mm (15.7 x 15.7 in) pallet supports workpieces with a 400 kg (882 lb) load capacity.

The standard spindle runs at 14,000 RPM with an HSK-A63 taper delivering 22 kW (29.5 hp) continuous power and 240 Nm of torque. Makino's core-cooled spindle technology maintains thermal stability across extended production runs. An optional 20,000 RPM spindle is available for high-speed aluminum machining.

The tilting spindle head design (rather than a trunnion table) means the workpiece stays stationary during rotary axis motion, which is a significant advantage for heavy or awkwardly shaped parts. The full 400 kg pallet capacity is available regardless of the 5-axis angle, unlike trunnion machines where effective load capacity decreases at extreme tilt angles.

Rapid traverse hits 60 m/min (2,362 ipm) on all linear axes with 1G acceleration. The 60-tool ATC supports complex aerospace jobs. The machine weighs approximately 12,000 kg (26,455 lb) and runs on Makino's Professional 6 control. It integrates with MMC2 automation for multi-pallet production cells. Competitors include the DMG Mori NHX 5500 5-Axis and Mazak HCN-5000 with 5-axis head.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	560 mm (22.0 in)
Y-Axis Travel	640 mm (25.2 in)
Z-Axis Travel	640 mm (25.2 in)
A Axis Range	+30° to -120° (150° total, direct drive)
B Axis Range	360° (continuous, direct drive)
Max Spindle Speed	14,000 RPM (20,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	CAT40 (std/14k) / HSK-A63 (opt/14k; req’d/20k & 24k)
Spindle Motor Power	22 kW (29.5 hp) continuous
Spindle Torque	240 Nm (177 ft-lb)
Tool Capacity	90 tools (std) / 133, 218, 311 tools (opts.)
Pallet Size	400 x 400 mm (15.7 x 15.7 in)
Number Of Pallets	2 standard
Pallet Load Capacity	400 kg (882 lb)
Rapid Traverse Rate	2,362 ipm
Axis Acceleration	1G
Positioning Accuracy	±0.003 mm (±0.00012 in)
Repeatability	±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in)
Machine Weight	~12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
CNC Control	Makino Professional 6 (Pro 6)
Eventscontent Librarywebinar Archiveownersmakino Expertisesafety Data Sheetsnewsroomfinancing	Financing OptionsMakino makes it easy to upgrade with flexible financing optionsLearn More
Metric	English
Pallet	19.7” x 19.7”
B Axis	290 (-110 ~ +180) Direct Drive
C Axis	360° (unlimited) Direct Drive
Spindle Rpm	14,000 (std) / 20,000 & 24,000 (opts.)
Cutting Feedrate	1,968 ipm
Maximum Workpiece	Ø27.6” / Ø35.4” x H23.6” (w/limitations)
Maximum Payload	880 lbs.
Tool To Tool	1.0 sec
Maximum Tool Diameter	Ø8.1” x 20.1”
Maximum Tool Weight	26.4 lbs.
Drop Tank	Yes

Specifications sourced from makino.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Tilting spindle head keeps the workpiece stationary, maintaining full 400 kg pallet load capacity at all 5-axis angles unlike trunnion designs
Horizontal spindle orientation provides superior chip evacuation during 5-axis cutting — critical for deep cavities and complex aerospace geometries
60 m/min rapids with 1G acceleration deliver fast cycle times matching Makino's best 3-axis HMC performance
Direct-drive A and B axes provide fast, backlash-free indexing and smooth simultaneous 5-axis contouring
Dual-pallet system with MMC2 compatibility enables automated 5-axis production cells for aerospace work
Core-cooled 14,000 RPM HSK-A63 spindle provides the thermal stability needed for tight-tolerance aerospace parts

Limitations

Tilting spindle head adds mechanical complexity compared to simpler trunnion-table 5-axis designs, potentially increasing maintenance
560 mm X-travel limits the size of aerospace structural components compared to larger 5-axis horizontals
Premium pricing ($450K-$650K) for a 400mm-pallet 5-axis machine is significantly more than trunnion-style competitors
400 kg pallet load capacity may be limiting for heavy fixtures on larger aerospace parts
Tilting head machines typically have slightly less rotary stiffness than trunnion machines for heavy cutting at extreme angles

Best For

Aerospace manufacturers producing complex structural components, brackets, and fittings requiring 5-axis access with horizontal chip evacuation Production shops machining heavy or awkwardly shaped parts where a tilting spindle head avoids the load limitations of trunnion tables High-mix aerospace and defense shops needing flexible 5-axis capability with fast changeovers via pallet automation Facilities building automated multi-machine 5-axis cells where MMC2 pallet pool integration is critical Shops transitioning from 4-axis HMC production to full 5-axis capability while retaining horizontal spindle advantages

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Makino a500iR cost?

New a500iR machines typically price between $450,000 and $650,000 depending on configuration. A base machine with 14K RPM spindle, 60-tool ATC, and 2-pallet APC starts around $450,000. Adding the 20K RPM spindle, high-pressure coolant, probing, and MMC2 automation integration pushes toward $550,000-$650,000. Used a500iR machines from 2015-2020 typically trade between $200,000 and $350,000.

02 How does the a500iR compare to a trunnion-table 5-axis machine?

The a500iR tilts the spindle rather than the workpiece, which means the full pallet load capacity is available at all angles — a key advantage for heavy parts. Trunnion machines (like the DA300 or D500) tilt the workpiece, which can reduce effective load capacity at extreme angles but provides higher rotary stiffness for heavy cutting. Choose the a500iR for heavy parts and horizontal chip evacuation; choose a trunnion for maximum 5-axis stiffness on lighter parts.

03 Can the a500iR replace a standard 4-axis HMC?

Yes, and this is a common upgrade path. The a500iR handles all 4-axis HMC work (B-axis indexing for multi-face machining) while adding the A-axis tilt for true 5-axis access. You lose nothing in 4-axis mode while gaining the ability to machine angled features, contoured surfaces, and undercuts that previously required additional setups or separate machines.

04 What materials is the a500iR best suited for?

The a500iR handles aluminum, titanium (Ti-6Al-4V), Inconel, stainless steel, and other aerospace alloys. The 14K RPM spindle with 240 Nm torque provides a good balance for mixed materials. The optional 20K RPM spindle is recommended for shops focused primarily on aluminum. The horizontal orientation excels at chip evacuation in all materials, especially during deep-pocket machining in aluminum.