First-ever 30-taper machining centre with 100 tools

At the recent EMO 2025 show held in Hanover, Japanese machining centre builder Brother introduced a variant of its Speedio U500Xd2-5AX 30-taper, five-axis machining centre able to deploy 100 different cutting tools, without the need for manual intervention. It addresses the accelerating industry trend toward high-mix, low-volume production and the need for prolonged periods of lights-out, unattended operation. The sole sales and service agent in Britain and Ireland is Whitehouse Machine Tools.

Designed in accordance with Industry 4.0 principles, the U500Xd2-5AX 100T is aimed at subcontractors and OEMs that are already converts to using the efficient face-and-taper BBT30 tool interface, or are receptive to its merits.

Whitehouse Machine Tools says compelling reasons for adopting 30-taper platforms include: the very high-speed axis motions which minimise idle times and raise productivity; the typically 80% reduction in electricity and air consumption; and the compact footprint. Brother technology also delivers high reliability, maximising consistency of performance, reports the company.

Previous limitations on tool capacity and process integration within a minimal space on a factory floor have been eliminated. A side shutter for robotic loading and the availability of automated workpiece or pallet storage and handling equipment allows the formation of a fully automated production cell.

The tool count has been boosted by mounting a 36-tool stocker on either side of the 28-tool turret magazine, enabling manufacturers to keep an unprecedented number of different tools, sister tools and special cutters ready for use, without operator involvement.

Despite the large tool storage capacity, the machine maintains its rapid 0.7-second tool-to-tool change time, while other top-end features also remain the same.

The combination of an expansive working area, dynamic motion control and high tool capacity allows operators to perform complete multi-face machining in a single clamping, simplifying workflow and reducing cumulative set-up errors. The maximum table load is 100 kg, so there is little restriction on the type of workpiece that machinists are likely to want to put on a 30-taper machining centre.

Notably, the new model integrates Brother’s latest CNC-D00 control system with 15-inch LCD touch panel, featuring enhanced functionality for fully interpolative five-axis machining, tool centre-point control and automation interfaces. Support apps provide an overview of production and operational status, load monitoring, power consumption, tool set-up and adjustment, recovery support and cycle time optimisation.