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DMG MORI improves cylinder block machining with NHX 8000
Horizontal machining centre enables high-precision, automated series production of large automotive components with stable chip control and flexible manufacturing integration.
en.dmgmori.com
The new NHX 8000 4. Generation from DMG MORI combines stability, precision, and machining performance.
Automotive manufacturing, powertrain production, and electromobility component machining require high precision, repeatability, and scalable automation to handle complex geometries and large production volumes. In this context, DMG MORI has developed the fourth-generation NHX 8000 horizontal machining centre, designed to support reliable series production of cylinder blocks and similar large components with consistent quality and reduced non-productive time.
Horizontal machining remains a core solution for high-volume production environments, particularly for components such as cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, and housings used in electric drives and power electronics. The NHX 8000 builds on this concept with extended travel ranges of 1,400 × 1,200 × 1,350 mm, enabling the machining of large cast and aluminium parts within a single setup.
Horizontal machining for chip control and multi-sided processing
A key advantage of horizontal machining lies in effective chip evacuation. During milling and drilling operations, chips fall away from the workpiece due to gravity, reducing accumulation in deep cavities and bores. This is particularly relevant when machining materials such as aluminium, grey cast iron, and vermicular graphite cast iron, which are commonly used in engine and structural components.
The NHX 8000 enables multi-sided machining in a single clamping cycle, reducing repositioning operations and associated downtime. This approach supports tighter positional and geometric tolerances across multiple surfaces, which is essential for components with complex features such as bores, sealing surfaces, and threaded interfaces.
Machine rigidity and spindle performance for high cutting volumes
The structural design of the machining centre provides high rigidity, allowing it to handle demanding roughing and finishing operations. This is critical when machining large cast components that require both high material removal rates and precise finishing.
The spindle options include configurations with speeds up to 16,000 rpm, as well as a powerMASTER spindle delivering up to 1,413 Nm of torque. This range enables adaptation to different machining tasks, from high-speed finishing to heavy-duty cutting, depending on material and process requirements.
Consistent rigidity and spindle performance contribute to repeatable accuracy, ensuring that dimensional tolerances and surface quality are maintained across large production batches.
Cylinder blocks and other complex mobility components made of gray cast iron or die-cast aluminum are ideal for machining on horizontal machining centers from DMG MORI such as the NHX 8000 4. Generation.
Automation for scalable series production
The NHX 8000 is designed to integrate into automated production environments. It supports rotary pallet storage systems and linear pallet pools (LPP), which can connect multiple machines and manage up to 99 pallets. These systems enable continuous operation by allowing new workpieces to be prepared while machining is in progress.
Additional process steps, such as component marking for traceability, can be incorporated into the production flow. Automated material handling solutions, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), can also be deployed to manage tool supply and chip removal, reducing manual intervention.
This level of automation increases spindle utilisation and supports high-throughput manufacturing, which is essential in automotive and mobility-related industries.
Flexibility for evolving mobility manufacturing
As the industry transitions from internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric drivetrains, manufacturing systems must adapt to new component designs and production requirements. Horizontal machining centres such as the NHX 8000 provide flexibility to accommodate changing geometries, clamping strategies, and batch sizes without requiring complete reconfiguration of production lines.
This adaptability allows manufacturers to maintain productivity while responding to shifts in product demand and design evolution.
Positioning among horizontal machining centres
Horizontal machining centres are widely used in automotive and heavy industry applications. Comparable systems include Makino a81nx and Okuma MA-8000H, which offer similar capabilities in terms of work envelope, spindle performance, and automation integration.
Key selection criteria in this segment include machine rigidity, chip management efficiency, automation compatibility, and the ability to maintain tight tolerances in high-volume production. The NHX 8000 addresses these requirements through its structural design, spindle options, and integration with pallet-based automation systems.
By combining machining performance with automation and digital integration, the system supports efficient and adaptable production environments in both conventional and electrified mobility manufacturing.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.
www.dmgmori.com
Automotive manufacturing, powertrain production, and electromobility component machining require high precision, repeatability, and scalable automation to handle complex geometries and large production volumes. In this context, DMG MORI has developed the fourth-generation NHX 8000 horizontal machining centre, designed to support reliable series production of cylinder blocks and similar large components with consistent quality and reduced non-productive time.
Horizontal machining remains a core solution for high-volume production environments, particularly for components such as cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, and housings used in electric drives and power electronics. The NHX 8000 builds on this concept with extended travel ranges of 1,400 × 1,200 × 1,350 mm, enabling the machining of large cast and aluminium parts within a single setup.
Horizontal machining for chip control and multi-sided processing
A key advantage of horizontal machining lies in effective chip evacuation. During milling and drilling operations, chips fall away from the workpiece due to gravity, reducing accumulation in deep cavities and bores. This is particularly relevant when machining materials such as aluminium, grey cast iron, and vermicular graphite cast iron, which are commonly used in engine and structural components.
The NHX 8000 enables multi-sided machining in a single clamping cycle, reducing repositioning operations and associated downtime. This approach supports tighter positional and geometric tolerances across multiple surfaces, which is essential for components with complex features such as bores, sealing surfaces, and threaded interfaces.
Machine rigidity and spindle performance for high cutting volumes
The structural design of the machining centre provides high rigidity, allowing it to handle demanding roughing and finishing operations. This is critical when machining large cast components that require both high material removal rates and precise finishing.
The spindle options include configurations with speeds up to 16,000 rpm, as well as a powerMASTER spindle delivering up to 1,413 Nm of torque. This range enables adaptation to different machining tasks, from high-speed finishing to heavy-duty cutting, depending on material and process requirements.
Consistent rigidity and spindle performance contribute to repeatable accuracy, ensuring that dimensional tolerances and surface quality are maintained across large production batches.
Cylinder blocks and other complex mobility components made of gray cast iron or die-cast aluminum are ideal for machining on horizontal machining centers from DMG MORI such as the NHX 8000 4. Generation.
Automation for scalable series production
The NHX 8000 is designed to integrate into automated production environments. It supports rotary pallet storage systems and linear pallet pools (LPP), which can connect multiple machines and manage up to 99 pallets. These systems enable continuous operation by allowing new workpieces to be prepared while machining is in progress.
Additional process steps, such as component marking for traceability, can be incorporated into the production flow. Automated material handling solutions, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), can also be deployed to manage tool supply and chip removal, reducing manual intervention.
This level of automation increases spindle utilisation and supports high-throughput manufacturing, which is essential in automotive and mobility-related industries.
Flexibility for evolving mobility manufacturing
As the industry transitions from internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric drivetrains, manufacturing systems must adapt to new component designs and production requirements. Horizontal machining centres such as the NHX 8000 provide flexibility to accommodate changing geometries, clamping strategies, and batch sizes without requiring complete reconfiguration of production lines.
This adaptability allows manufacturers to maintain productivity while responding to shifts in product demand and design evolution.
Positioning among horizontal machining centres
Horizontal machining centres are widely used in automotive and heavy industry applications. Comparable systems include Makino a81nx and Okuma MA-8000H, which offer similar capabilities in terms of work envelope, spindle performance, and automation integration.
Key selection criteria in this segment include machine rigidity, chip management efficiency, automation compatibility, and the ability to maintain tight tolerances in high-volume production. The NHX 8000 addresses these requirements through its structural design, spindle options, and integration with pallet-based automation systems.
By combining machining performance with automation and digital integration, the system supports efficient and adaptable production environments in both conventional and electrified mobility manufacturing.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.
www.dmgmori.com
