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Tormach, a US-based manufacturer of CNC machines and industrial robotics, introduces its latest innovation: the Tormach 1500MX CNC Mill. Representing the apex of Tormach’s engineering prowess, the 1500MX marks a significant leap forward in power, precision, and affordability within their CNC machining portfolio.
Tormach’s new 1500MX is a 3-axis, servo-driven mill on linear rails with an epoxy granite frame that combines professional-grade capabilities with easy-to-use compact versatility, making it ideal for both commercial enterprises and garage-based enthusiasts. This mill offers faster feed rates, increased precision, superior vibration damping, and higher horsepower at a fraction of the cost of competitive models, ensuring accessibility without compromise.
“For the past 20 years, Tormach has helped our customers make things by offering capable yet affordable CNC machines and accessories, best-in-class control software, and great technical support,” said Daniel Rogge, CEO of Tormach. “Our community asked, and we listened, and the new 1500MX mill represents a huge leap forward for Tormach by delivering the higher performance, power, responsiveness, and technology professionals demand.”
The 1500MX offers a host of features designed to enhance machining efficiency and precision. Crafted with an epoxy granite frame made in the U.S., this machine boasts ten times the damping of cast iron, ensuring chatter-free cuts, superior surface finishes, and 30% longer tool life.
Equipped with a robust 4HP, 10K RPM BT30 spindle (with a maximum of 6HP), it delivers ample torque for cutting through various materials and offers enough spindle speed to take advantage of modern carbide tooling. Additionally, every 1500MX is thru-spindle coolant (TSC) ready, facilitating seamless integration of TSC for enhanced drilling efficiency, smoother finishes, part consistency, and extended tool life.
Featuring servo motors with absolute encoders boasting 23-bit accuracy and battery backup, this CNC mill eliminates the need for machine referencing, ensuring uninterrupted precision even between power cycles. Cutting feed rates of up to 1200IPM (XY) reduce cycle times and take advantage of adaptive tool paths.
“This is the first machine we’ve built utilizing an epoxy granite frame – a superior material because of its incredible vibration damping properties – and our first machine made in North America by Tormach employee-owners,” said Rogge. “With 1200 inch-per-minute feed rates and a 6 HP (max) spindle, it’s also by far the fastest, most accurate, and most powerful machine we’ve ever made. We are confident our customers who have grown their businesses with our equipment will be excited to make accurate parts faster and for less money than ever before.”
Other features include a built-in camera for real-time monitoring, error message logs for troubleshooting, and tool rack options for enhanced organization. Additionally, Tormach allows users to add accessories over time so the machine can grow with their business. Upgrade options such as a 16-tool capacity umbrella style automatic tool changer, a fourth axis harmonic gear reducer, a TSC kit, a washdown bar kit, a wireless probe and tool setter, a mist collector, and a chip conveyor system with lift provide users with unparalleled flexibility to tailor the product to their specific needs.
“We are most excited about the speed, power, and automation the 1500MX brings to both our prototyping and production abilities,” said beta test customer Keegan Karl, Vice President of DarkAero Inc., a high-performance composite aircraft manufacturer. “It is exciting to see how quickly it can create the parts we designed, and it feels powerful to simply send the program to the machine, press start, and watch it produce what we need autonomously.”
“The tool changer with the BT30 high-quality spindle is a huge time saver,” noted Larry Britzman, owner of Britzman Enterprises LLC, another beta tester of the 1500MX. “We have already seen cycle times shorten, and combined with the rapids, it has shaved significant time off parts. The extra coolant flushing of the chips has also saved us hours of cleanup, and our employees have noted how nice it is not to have to re-reference and touch tools and datum points off each morning, which saves even more time during the day.”
As with all Tormach machines, the 1500MX operates on the company’s free and open source PathPilot® control software, offering users unlimited access to advanced machining functionalities without software lockouts. Additionally, Tormach’s dedication to affordability is underscored by the incorporation of free features for the 1500MX, such as software updates for life, 80GB memory, TSC-ready capability, spindle orientation, rigid tapping, coordinated rotation, conversational programming, and a TSC-ready spindle, all provided at no additional cost.
“The 1500MX offers features that are often either unavailable or provided at a premium by other manufacturers, ensuring our customers receive exceptional value without compromising on quality or functionality,” said Rogge. “Moreover, we’ve introduced some exciting updates to PathPilot that include the addition of tool wear compensation and enhancements to the trajectory planner to incorporate machine smoothing. For those familiar with PathPilot from previous Tormach machines, transitioning to the 1500MX will be remarkably swift.”
Additionally, the new 1500MX is optimized to pair with Tormach’s industrial robot, the ZA6, for light machine automation capabilities.
Related Glossary Terms
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- conversational programming
conversational programming
Method for using plain English to produce G-code file without knowing G-code in order to program CNC machines.
- coolant
coolant
Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.
- feed
feed
Rate of change of position of the tool as a whole, relative to the workpiece while cutting.
- industrial robot
industrial robot
Robot designed for industrial use. Primarily used as a material-handling device but also used for changing tools, assembling parts, and manipulating special tools and measuring devices. Depending on design, an industrial robot can be programmed to perform a task by means of a controller, or it can be “walked” through the required movements by utilizing a digitizing system that translates movements into commands that the robot can be “taught.” See robot; teaching pendant.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- robotics
robotics
Discipline involving self-actuating and self-operating devices. Robots frequently imitate human capabilities, including the ability to manipulate physical objects while evaluating and reacting appropriately to various stimuli. See industrial robot; robot.
- tapping
tapping
Machining operation in which a tap, with teeth on its periphery, cuts internal threads in a predrilled hole having a smaller diameter than the tap diameter. Threads are formed by a combined rotary and axial-relative motion between tap and workpiece. See tap.
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