The Makino F6 vertical machining center celebrated its European premiere at EMO 2025. It is designed for stable, sustained high-precision machining of plastic molds, injection molding dies, and die-casting molds in particular. Its design ensures exceptional thermal stability and high-speed performance for superior surface finishes and reduced cycle times.
What makes the F6 so special
The four pillars of Makino's F6 concept are rigid design, spindle technology, thermal management, and intelligent software. The strengths of this vertical machining center include spindle technology with core cooling and under-race lubrication, excellent thermal behavior in normal environments, precision and long-term reliability for superior surface quality, and an automation-ready design. Optimized for 3D contoured geometries and tight-tolerance applications in the mold and die industry, the F6 offers high levels of precision for long machining hours and an extended Y-axis travel of 650 mm to accommodate increasingly square molds.
Main features
- Structural Rigidity and Thermal Stability: Using finite element analysis (FEA) to design the machine's extremely rigid structure, the f6 dampens vibrations for long-term precision, while the unique axis configuration eliminates overhangs and ensures full axis support throughout the entire work envelope. Ball screws and cooled-core nuts maintain thermal equilibrium during high-speed operations. Motor flange cooling prevents any heat transfer from the motor to the machine structure, while cooling the support bearings improves their lifespan and thermal stability.
- Spindle Innovations: Core cooling, under-race lubrication, Oilmatic closed-loop temperature control, and multi-plane balancing to reduce vibration and improve surface finish are innovative features resulting from Makino's leadership in spindle technology. The f6 features a 20,000-rpm HSK A63 spindle as standard, while a 30,000-rpm HSK-F63 spindle is available as an option.
- Motion Control and Software: Developed for high-feed rate, tight-tolerance 3D machining, this machine's Super Geometric Intelligence (SGI.5) software maintains high accuracy even with complex NC data and significantly reduces cycle times compared to standard CNC systems. Multiple advanced motion modes allow users to customize the machine's behavior to specific job requirements. The f6's Professional 6 control integrates Fanuc hardware and a Windows Embedded operating system to offer ease of use on a 15-inch multi-touch screen, with a layout that adapts to the operator's workflow from setup to execution.
- Automation and Monitoring: The large side door for robot integration, top access for overhead crane operations, and easy access to the automatic tool changer (ATC) and spindle make the f6 automation-ready. The optional machine monitoring system allows real-time monitoring of machine condition, production, and tooling.
- Chip Management and Maintenance: Efficient chip removal is ensured by a five-nozzle system (four cooling nozzles and an air blower) around the spindle, optional through-spindle air and coolant, a front-mounted chip tray accessible during machining, and an optional conveyor for large-volume chip removal. Maintenance of the f6 has been simplified thanks to centralized access to the pneumatic, hydraulic, and lubrication systems.
Company Profile
Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd. is recognized as a leading technology and service provider in the machine tool industry. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and employs approximately 4,800 people in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, was €1.4 billion. Makino's broad range of high-quality manufacturing solutions includes machining centers for component production and mold and die manufacturing for a wide range of applications in the aerospace, automotive, off-highway vehicle, industrial components, and microtechnology industries. Makino Europe employs 250 people at technology centers and offices in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Slovakia, focusing on marketing, sales, application engineering, and customer support.
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