The Evolution of Gantry Machining Centers and CNC Gantry Milling Machines in China: A Thriving Industry
In the past five years, China has witnessed significant growth in the production of gantry machining centers and CNC gantry milling machines, marking a new era in the country’s machine tool industry. This growth can be attributed to the continuous development of the national economy and the government’s strong support for CNC machine tools.
The Road to Innovation
In recent years, China has made tremendous strides in the development of gantry machining centers and CNC gantry milling machines. The country’s leading machine tool manufacturers, such as Chenyang Machine Tool (Group) Co., Ltd., Ningbo Haitian Precision Machinery Co., Ltd., and Weihai East China Cnc Co., Ltd., have joined forces to develop and produce these products, catering to the growing demand of users. According to statistics from the China Machine Tools Industry Association, in 2005, 11 Chinese companies produced 422 gantry machining centers and 75 special CNC and milling machines.
Product Structure and Technical Level
The gantry machining center, equipped with an automatic tool change structure, is the most advanced type of machine tool. Currently, the main varieties of gantry machining centers and CNC gantry milling machines are classified into different levels, including column gantry, portal gantry, and table gantry, among others. The main production specifications range from 800 to 5,000 mm in width and 2,000 to 28,000 mm in length. Notably, the majority of produced gantry machining centers and CNC gantry milling machines are concentrated in the size segment of 1,000 to 2,000 mm, with approximately 95% of varieties fixed to a worktable width.
Breakthroughs in Technology
The period of the 10th five-year plan saw the fastest growth of the machine tool industry in China, with major breakthroughs in high-speed, high-precision, multi-axis, and composite technologies. This was particularly evident in the development of gantry machining centers and CNC gantry milling machines, with many companies, such as Jiangsu Duoleng (formerly Changzhou Machine Tool Factory), Jinan Second Machine, and Beijing Machine, leading the way.
Innovative Efforts and Continuous Improvement
In recent years, Chinese companies have demonstrated significant progress in terms of structural performance, technical level, and product quality. However, compared to similar products from developed countries, there is still a significant gap. To address this, domestic OEMs must make concerted efforts to improve their technical content and industrialization of CNC machine tools.
Well-Known Manufacturers and Typical Products
One notable example is Beijing Machine-Tool No. 1, which has had a history of over 40 years and has mastered technological innovation and technological progress. The company has developed a range of gantry products, including driving beams, fixed beams, and mobile products, and has also provided heavy processing equipment for the arms industry over the past two years.
In conclusion, the Chinese machine tool industry has taken significant strides in the production of gantry machining centers and CNC gantry milling machines, thanks to government support, technological innovation, and the participation of leading manufacturers. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative products and technologies emerge, further solidifying China’s position as a major player in the global machine tool industry.
