SNK RM-5

$3,000,000 - $6,000,000+ Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

HSK-A63

Rapid Traverse

30 m/min (X/Y/Z)

Spindle Power

40 kW (53.6 hp)

Accuracy

± 0.015 mm

x axis travel

5,000 mm (197 in)

y axis travel

3,000 mm (118 in)

Overview

The SNK RM-5 is a large-format 5-axis gantry-type machining center from SNK (Sowa Koki Co., Ltd.), a Japanese company that specializes in large-scale CNC machining systems for aerospace, defense, marine, and heavy industrial applications. SNK's RM series represents the company's 5-axis gantry machining platform — machines where the spindle and 5-axis head move in X, Y, and Z over a stationary workpiece table, enabling machining of large aerospace structural panels, mold frames, and industrial components that exceed the capacity of conventional VMC or horizontal machining center architectures.

The RM-5 gantry structure spans a work envelope of 5,000 x 3,000 mm (197 x 118 in) in X-Y with 1,200 mm Z-axis travel — a working volume suited to large aerospace structural components: wing spars, fuselage frames, bulkheads, and large composite tooling mandrels. The 5-axis head provides full ±90° A-axis tilt and ±360° C-axis rotation, enabling simultaneous 5-axis contouring on large complex surfaces without workpiece repositioning. At this scale, the machine's accuracy of ±0.015 mm across the full X-Y travel is notable — achieving sub-15-micron positioning across 5 meters of travel requires extremely precise temperature management and ballscrew compensation.

Aerospace structural panel machining is the primary SNK RM-5 application. Commercial aircraft aluminum structural panels (fuselage skin panels, wing cover panels, floor grids) require 3-axis and 5-axis machining to produce the complex pocket geometry, thickness variation, and feature locations that define the panel. At 5,000 mm length, these panels span the RM-5's work envelope and require the machine's gantry format for full-panel single-setup machining.

At $3,000,000-$6,000,000 new depending on configuration, the SNK RM-5 is a capital investment in large aerospace structural machining capability. SNK's global aerospace customer base includes Boeing, Airbus, and their primary structural component suppliers.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X Axis Travel	5,000 mm (197 in)
Y Axis Travel	3,000 mm (118 in)
Z Axis Travel	1,200 mm (47.2 in)
A Axis Tilt	±90°
C Axis Rotation	360° (continuous)
Spindle Speed	15,000 RPM (24,000 RPM option)
Spindle Taper	HSK-A63
Spindle Motor Power	40 kW (53.6 hp)
Table Load Capacity	20,000 kg (44,092 lb)
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (X/Y/Z)
Positioning Accuracy	± 0.015 mm
CNC Control	Fanuc 30iM (Siemens 840D optional)
Machine Weight	~150,000 kg (330,693 lb)
Machine Type	Machining Center
Num Of Axes	5
Operation Type	CNC
Cnc Brand	Fanuc 31i
Table Size L X W	98.400(L) x 47.200(W)
Table Size L X W Opt	157.480(L) x 47.200(W)
Max Workpiece Weight	11,000
Direction	Combination
Taper	# 50
Top Rpm	6,000
Top Rpm Opt	8,000
Hp	30.00
Tool Carrier	ATC
Num Tools	40
Num Tools Opt	120
Tool Change Chip Time	0.00
Pallet Changer Available	Optional
Num Pallets	2
Num Axes	5
U Axis	None
X1	108.300" Opt: 167.320"
Y1	78.700"
Z1	23.600"

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

5,000 x 3,000 mm work envelope handles large aerospace structural panels in a single setup — fuselage frames, wing covers, floor grids
Full ±90° A-axis and 360° C-axis enables simultaneous 5-axis contouring on complex curved aerospace structural geometries
40 kW spindle provides high metal removal rates for roughing large aluminum aerospace panels
±0.015 mm accuracy across the full 5,000 mm X travel is exceptional for a machine of this size
Gantry format provides access to the full workpiece surface from above without repositioning

Limitations

$3M-$6M+ investment is justified only by high-value aerospace structural panel production programs
Machine footprint requires a very large dedicated facility bay with overhead crane and stable temperature environment
SNK's North American service organization is significantly smaller than Makino or DMG Mori for large machine support
Programming and operating large 5-axis gantry machines requires specialized engineering expertise and advanced CAM systems

Best For

Aerospace structural component manufacturers machining large aluminum fuselage panels, wing structural panels, and bulkheads for commercial aircraft Defense prime contractors machining large structural components for military aircraft, naval vessels, and ground vehicle systems Composite tooling manufacturers machining large mold tools, autoclave tooling, and lay-up mandrels for composite airframe manufacturing Space launch vehicle manufacturers machining large structural panels and frame sections for launch vehicle fuselage and propellant tanks Marine and offshore equipment manufacturers machining large hull sections, offshore platform structural components, and large machinery beds

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is a gantry machining center and why use one for large aerospace parts?

A gantry machining center has the machine spindle and cutting head moving over a stationary workpiece table — the machine moves; the part stays still. This configuration is ideal for large, heavy workpieces because the workpiece doesn't need to move during machining. For a 5,000 mm fuselage panel weighing 2,000 kg, a gantry machine positions the cutting head over the panel rather than requiring the panel to move. This eliminates the heavy-duty linear guides and drive systems that would be required to move a large, heavy workpiece at production feedrates.

02 What CAM software supports the SNK RM-5 for aerospace panel machining?

Large aerospace structural panel machining typically uses Siemens NX, CATIA V5/V6, or Delmia as the CAM system, with post processors written specifically for the SNK RM-5's 5-axis kinematics. These programs are specified by the aerospace OEM (Boeing, Airbus) and certified for the specific part programs. General-purpose CAM packages like Mastercam or Hypermill can also drive the RM-5 but are less common in the aerospace structural machining environment where OEM-certified processes are required.

03 How is thermal management handled on a machine this large?

Thermal management on a 5,000 mm gantry machine is critical — even a 1°C temperature change across the machine structure causes 5-10 micron positional errors at the spindle tip, which can violate aerospace part tolerances. SNK addresses this through: (1) temperature-controlled coolant circulated through the machine structure; (2) temperature-controlled cutting coolant delivered to the machining zone; (3) a temperature-controlled facility enclosure around the machine; and (4) CNC thermal compensation models that apply real-time correction based on temperature sensor readings. Together, these systems maintain the ±0.015 mm positioning accuracy specified for the machine.