Nidec OKK to Launch HX500, a New 5-Axis Horizontal Machining Center
Nidec OKK Corporation, a subsidiary of the Nidec Group, has announced the launch of its latest innovation in advanced machining solutions: the HX500 5-axis horizontal machining center, set to be released on September 22. The machine represents the culmination of Nidec OKK’s tradition of combining durability, high precision, and innovative design, while addressing the growing global demand for efficient and accurate machining in industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles (EVs), robotics, and other high-tech sectors.
The HX500 has been developed to meet the increasingly complex requirements of modern component manufacturing. With aircraft, EV, and robotic parts becoming smaller, more intricate, and demanding higher levels of precision, manufacturers are under pressure to adopt machines that deliver both high rigidity and rapid processing speeds. The HX500 answers these needs with a suite of cutting-edge technologies, while remaining compact and space-efficient.
High Rigidity and Speed for Advanced Machining
One of the defining features of the HX500 is its solid and rigid body structure, which ensures long-lasting stability and vibration resistance during operation. Nidec OKK has incorporated a dual-disk clamping mechanism that firmly secures the trunnion table, enhancing both strength and precision during machining.
The machine is powered by direct-drive motors for its A axis (tilting) and B axis (rotation), delivering smooth and highly responsive motion. The Z axis benefits from a twin-drive system, enabling enhanced load balance and rapid feed capability. These advancements translate into impressive performance specifications: a fast-forward speed of 65 meters per minute across the X, Y, and Z axes, a rotation speed of 50 rotations per minute for the A axis, and a fast rotation frequency of 100 rotations per minute for the B axis.
Complementing these speeds is a high-speed automatic tool changer (ATC), which drastically reduces non-cutting time. Combined with the machine’s main spindle capable of 15,000 rotations per minute, the HX500 delivers both high-speed machining and overall cycle time reduction, offering manufacturers a significant productivity boost.
Outstanding Chip Management for Accuracy
Chip buildup has long been a challenge for precision machining, as accumulated chips can compromise accuracy and stability. The HX500 addresses this issue with an innovative inverted table mechanism and a specially designed tilting cover that eliminates flat areas where chips might collect. Assisted by a powerful coolant flow, chips are guided directly into a central trough and discharged quickly.
With its expanded A axis tilting range of -210° to +30°, the machine also supports continuous machining of inverted workpieces, ensuring that chips fall away naturally without interfering with cutting accuracy. This approach allows for long hours of stable, high-accuracy machining, even in complex or multi-axis tasks.
Compact, Space-Efficient Design
Modern production facilities often face space limitations, and Nidec OKK has responded by engineering the HX500 to deliver best-in-class space efficiency. Despite accommodating a □500mm-size pallet, the machine requires only about 15 square meters of installation space (2.6m × 5.62m).
This compact footprint makes the HX500 suitable for a wide variety of production environments, from large-scale factories to facilities with limited floor space. Its adaptability allows manufacturers to expand production capacity without extensive reconfiguration of their plants.
User-Friendly Features for Operator Efficiency
Beyond technical performance, the HX500 emphasizes operator comfort and ease of use. The machine integrates Nidec OKK’s proprietary automatic pallet changer (APC) system, with pallet height set at 1,050mm in the setup station. This ergonomic design reduces strain on operators, making setup and loading more efficient.
To further enhance usability, the HX500 can be equipped with an internal camera option, which enables operators to visualize machining areas in real time. Maintenance has also been simplified, with mechanical units centralized for easier access and a maintenance function integrated into the operation panel. Operators can track, record, and manage maintenance histories directly on the machine, while built-in warning systems provide timely alerts to prevent downtime.
Commitment to Energy Efficiency
Reflecting the growing importance of sustainability in manufacturing, the HX500 incorporates several eco-friendly features. An ECO sleep function automatically shifts the machine into energy-saving mode during idle periods, shutting down servo motors and chip conveyors to reduce unnecessary power use.
The interior is fitted with long-life, energy-efficient LED lamps, ensuring both reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance needs. Additionally, an inverter-controlled oil cooler helps stabilize oil temperature while operating only when necessary, further minimizing energy waste.
Global Debut at EMO 2025
Before its official global release, the HX500 will be showcased at EMO 2025, the world’s leading metalworking trade fair, scheduled for September 22–26 in Germany. This debut will give global manufacturers the opportunity to see the machine firsthand and explore how it can transform their production processes.
