Is the Downturn Finally Over?

Market Update: Is the Downturn Finally Over?

Quality tools for quality jobs

July 2026 market update

Heller 

Heller F8000
Back in early May closed an F8000 order, a big machine and great functionality with Milling/Turning and 5 Axis and with the bonus of a pallet changer, this will be delivered in early Jan 2027.

The Heller F8000 is a large‑format, heavy‑duty horizontal machining centre engineered for maximum rigidity, precision and long‑run reliability in demanding production environments. It sits at the top end of Heller’s F‑series, purpose‑built for big structural components, deep‑cut roughing, and multi‑face machining where stability and torque matter more than spindle speed.

Specifications
Machine Architecture
  1. Type: Horizontal Machining Center (HMC)
  2. Structure: Heavy‑duty cast‑iron, high‑rigidity design
  3. Guideways: Linear guides or hydro-static (depending on build)

Travel & Capacity
  1. X‑axis: ~1,600 mm
  2. Y‑axis: ~1,300 mm
  3. Z‑axis: ~1,600 mm
  4. Pallet size: 800 × 800 mm
  5. Max work piece size: ~1,400 mm diameter
  6. Max work piece weight: ~2,000–3,000 kg (config‑dependent)

Spindle
  1. Taper: HSK‑A100 or ISO #50
  2. Power: ~60–80 kW
  3. Torque: Up to ~2,000 Nm
  4. Speed: Typically 8,000 rpm (options up to 12,000 rpm)

Tooling
  1. Tool magazine: 60–240 tools (expandable)
  2. Tool weight: Up to ~25 kg
  3. Tool length: Up to ~600 mm

Feed & Performance
  1. Rapid traverse: ~60 m/min
  2. Cutting feed: Up to ~40 m/min
  3. Acceleration: High‑mass machine, ~4–6 m/s² depending on axis

Accuracy
  1. Positioning accuracy: ±3–5 µm typical
  2. Repeatability: ±2–3 µm

Automation
  1. Pallet changer: Standard 2‑pallet
  2. Pallet pool: Optional multi‑station systems
  3. Chip management: High‑capacity conveyor + coolant filtration

 

Kitamura

In June fitted in 2 Kitamura's in Melbourne and grabbed two more orders. We put in these Mycenter-HX630G/800 #50 in Tullamraine near the airport, a bit of a challenge a skinny pad, you cannot go to think when working with 22 ton machines, 600 mm is good more is even better and always remember the substrate it needs to be compacted well and down to bed rock if you can.

The Kitamura Mycenter‑HX630G/800 is a high‑rigidity, heavy‑cutting horizontal machining centre built around a #50‑taper spindle, designed for large‑format precision work and continuous production. It sits in the upper tier of Kitamura’s HX series, aimed at aerospace, energy, heavy engineering, and complex multi‑face machining where stability and accuracy matter more than raw speed.

Grabbed a couple of more orders and they are on build so a great month…

Want to know more? If you're in Australia, we can support you. Contact Phil now!

Jet Engines






This project has been a challenge, take out of one factory with very tight EH&S rules in many pieces with a large 25 Ton crane. Next build a foundation strong enough to take a 65 Ton Lathes / grinder, then start the massive tasks of rebuild and upgrade.

The controller system was an 880T and so we are upgrading to an 840D, change every piece of wire, motors, scales, encoders and much more… this part is the hard bit and unfortunately we had to fly most of the parts due to a tight schedule and shipping disruptions due to Mr Trump.

Have a project in mind like this? Contact Phil to know more!

Takisawa

Takisawa Machine Tool Co., Ltd. is a long‑established Japanese manufacturer of precision machine tools, known globally for its CNC lathes, manual lathes, and multi‑tasking machining solutions. The company’s reputation is built on reliability, accuracy, and continuous engineering refinement—qualities that have made Takisawa a trusted supplier across automotive, aerospace, general engineering, and high‑precision manufacturing sectors.

Takisawa Taiwan (Takisawa Technology Co., Ltd.) operates as a strategic manufacturing and engineering arm of the Takisawa group. While the Japanese headquarters focuses on R&D and flagship product development, Takisawa Taiwan is known for producing cost‑effective, high‑quality CNC lathes and machining centres tailored to global markets.

Core product lines:
  1. CNC Turning Centers (LA, LX, EX Series) — Versatile machines designed for productivity and ease of maintenance.
  2. Vertical Machining Centers (VMC Series) — Compact, rigid platforms suitable for milling, drilling, and tapping operations.
  3. Automation Packages — Including bar feeders, gantry loaders, and turnkey production cells.
We sold a couple in May and early June and one to the largest Aerospace company in the world, a great range and well priced with Jap Yen down and also out of Taiwan.




High speed, high accuracy,
and compactness
High accuracy, automation,
and high productivity in minimised space!
High-Precision Indexing Paired
with Heavy-Duty Cutting Capability


United Machining


MIKRON MILL E & VCE series - 3 axis
The vertical, three-axis MIKRON MILL E 800 and MIKRON MILL E 1200 sets standards in VMC category. Its value are robustness, compactness and user friendliness. The perfect harmonisation of both machining performances and stability is the fruit of long development experience of our engineers. The results is efficient precision production equipment with an irreproachable operation in any situation.

The MIKRON MILL E Series, which includes models such as the MILL E 800 and MILL E 1200, is engineered as a universal 3‑axis machining solution that combines stiffness, compact design, and high‑quality components.Key strengths of the series include:
Robust, compact structure
Enabling 100% flexibility in conventional 3‑axis applications.
High‑quality spindles
With multiple speed options (12,000 / 16,000 / 20,000 rpm) for a range of machining tasks.
Excellent accessibility
Thanks to large front and side doors for fast setup and easy crane loading.
Reduced downtime
Driven by quality components and smart coolant/chip management systems.
Fast ROI
With rapid delivery of standard configurations and quick installation.

From the smallest MILL E 800:
  1. Travel X, Y, Z 850 x 600 x 600 mm
  2. Feed rate X/Y/Z 15 m/min
  3. Rapid feed rate X,Y / Z 40 m/min
  4. Working table T-slot table 1050 x 600 mm
  5. Table load 1000 kg
Up to the beast VCE 2000 Pro:
  1. Travel X, Y, Z 2000 x 900 x 800 mm
  2. Feed rate X/Y/Z 20 m/min
  3. Working table 2100 x 850 mm
  4. Table load 3000 kg

Or the 5 axis MIKRON MILL S and X series deliver dynamic, high-precision machining for flawless surface finishes. Built for demanding applications, these advanced milling solutions combine speed, accuracy, and reliability to set new standards in productivity and quality.

MIKRON MILL S and X series - 5 axis
The 5 axis MIKRON MILL S and X series deliver dynamic, high-precision machining for flawless surface finishes. Built for demanding applications, these advanced milling solutions combine speed, accuracy, and reliability to set new standards in productivity and quality.

From the MILL S 200 U - Travel X,Y,Z 160 x 160 x 200 mm up to X,Y,Z 800 x 600 x 500 mm - a perfect range for lights out production and Hitting Target 168, chilled spindles, chilled structure, closed loop feed back and much more to give you the consistent accuracy you need.

Would like to know more? Contact Phil now!


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