The Current Status of Global High-End Machine Tools
hit：115 date：2026-05-05
In 2025, our high-end machine tools won an international award abroad, which is a positive development. The professional term for the five-axis, five-linkage system is high-speed dual five-axis gantry machining center. Currently, multiple brands across several countries worldwide have achieved CNC machining centers capable of up to 24 axes. When evaluating a product, we focus on functionality rather than accolades, as this requires time to validate.
To more intuitively illustrate machine tools, let's take computers as an example. Which country's computer company can claim to independently produce a computer? When we look at configurations, it often looks like this: central processor (Intel or AMD), motherboard (ASUS), memory (Kingston), hard drive (Seagate), graphics card (NVIDIA), monitor (Samsung), Dell, and so on. Even today, as long as you carefully review a computer's manual, it should look like this.
Two decades ago, nearly every computer store in Zhongguancun offered such assembly services, running only Windows systems. The other option was selling complete Apple computers, but their chips also utilized Motorola, IBM, or Intel graphics processors—namely GPUs, with both Motorola and Intel being suppliers. Monitors were Samsung-branded, while domestic manufacturer BOE has since become an additional supplier.
In terms of overall structure, the threshold for machine tool production and installation is much higher than that for computer production. As production and processing tools, machine tools primarily require high precision, high production efficiency, strong stability, safety, and ease of maintenance.
Let's examine the composition of the machine tool. The machine tool is divided into five major components in total. The first part is the main body of the machine tool, including components such as the bed, column, worktable, and spindle box.
The second is the numerical control system, which serves as the brain of the machine tool. Its core function is to receive and process machining tools. In fact, this field has already evolved into computer technology and also involves software programming.
The third is the drive system, which serves as the power interface for CNC machine tools. The CNC system and the machine body are primarily divided into spindle drive and feed drive units, along with linear guides and ball screw bearings.
Fourth, the detection and feedback device, akin to the sensory nerves of a CNC machine tool, commonly includes items such as grating scales, encoders, coordinate positioning instruments, and tool setting devices that can perform compensation,
Fifth, auxiliary devices include hydraulic, pneumatic, cooling, lubrication, and drainage systems.
Let's discuss which countries dominate the global machine tool market with these products. To produce a CNC machine tool, the first step is to design its structure, followed by assembling the foundational framework, including components such as the bed, columns, worktable, and spindle head. The materials used are typically high-strength cast iron or steel to ensure rigidity and stability. In traditional manufacturing, the large castings for machine tool beds are left outdoors for 6 to 18 months—or even years—to gradually release internal stresses through seasonal temperature variations. This method is stable and cost-effective but inefficient, making mass production unfeasible. Modern manufacturers generally avoid this approach. Instead, they employ annealing treatment, heating the cast iron bed to 500–550°C and then slowly cooling it. After installation, an additional 20 days of static placement is required to eliminate internal stresses, ensuring the machine's foundation, guideways, and sliding blocks release installation-induced stress. Secondary vibration aging is often applied to enhance effectiveness.
Let's take a closer look at the other components. The load-bearing of the workpiece is primarily supported by the spindle, which relies on bearings to control precision. The mainstream manufacturers worldwide typically source from Germany's Schaeffler or Sweden's SKF. Another component, the ball screw, converts rotational motion into linear motion and serves as the core of transmission precision. Key manufacturers include NSK, THK, Koyo, or Germany's Bosch. Parallel gears usually opt for Germany's Neugart or Wittenstein, as well as the previously mentioned Japanese companies. The detection device that determines precision is the grating ruler. Over 80% of manufacturers worldwide purchase from Heidenhain, while some choose assembled solutions from UK's Renishaw. Heidenhain's grating rulers utilize the renowned lithography process of ASML's photolithography machines, and ASML's optical lenses are provided by Germany's Zeiss. The linear motion of the tool holder supporting the worktable is ensured by Japan's THK or Germany's Bosch, Rexroth. For measuring workpiece dimensional deviations, dynamic compensation, and laser probes, UK's Venier or Germany's Zeiss are selected. If deviations occur during machining, the automatic tool measuring device is Japan's Fanuc, UK's Renishaw, or Germany's Zoller. After the workpiece enters the machining stage, 3D inspection of the workpiece and machine calibration are performed using Germany's Zeiss or US's Hexagon coordinate measuring machines.
The tools used during the machining process, primarily by machine tool manufacturers in the testing phase, are mostly from Sintera or Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi Materials and Kyocera. To ensure precision, guidance is also provided on the tool brands to be used.
During the processing, parameters such as abnormal temperature, vibration, and load were detected. Various sensors generally choose either Siemens from Germany or Keyence from Japan. Additionally, the servo motor is the most critical driving component in machine tools, requiring the aforementioned parts and encoders to achieve closed-loop control for micron-level or even higher precision.
Servo motors are mainly supplied by Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, Yaskawa Electric from Japan, Siemens from Germany, Bosch Rexroth, and Colemorgen from the United States.
The core control system PLC should be called programmable logic controller, which was first used by General Motors in 1968. Currently, the most advanced products in the world are still Siemens from Germany, Mitsubishi or Omron from Japan, and Rockwell from the United States.
The above is the current situation of global division of labor in machine tool production, all of which are purchased globally. Currently, the industrial level is determined by materials, chemicals, machine tools, chips, and software, which are deeply nested with each other.
Our country is the only country after World War II that has entered industrialization without sacrificing sovereignty. Currently, various industries have already established the foundation for industrialization, and some parts have emerged, such as the lunar exploration rail transit for space exploration, quantum technology, ultra-high voltage, deep sea exploration, electromagnetic technology, and future domestic artificial intelligence companies will also look to TikTok.
The only technology manufacturing companies that truly have a place in the international market and can compete with foreign counterparts are Huawei and Samsung Mitsubishi, GE, Siemens is competing with Europe and the United States, but such companies have dozens or even hundreds of them, totaling thousands. The above is the real situation, whether it is far ahead or self deprecating, it is wrong. The truth is greater than everything. Wishing industrial people a happy weekend!
