ShopOwnerMike
Posted: 3 days ago
Hey all,
We’re a small job shop looking at a new 5-axis and the DMG Mori DMU 50 3rd generation is high on the list. Travels look decent (650 x 520 x 475), table takes 300 kg, B-axis -35/+110, and the speedMASTER spindle options. We’re mostly doing aluminum and some steel, mixed short runs, medical-ish and some mold components.
Anyone here actually running one day to day? How’s the reliability after a year or two? Service support in the US (midwest if it matters)? Any weird quirks with the tool changer, spindle heat, or those random alarms people talk about on older DMUs?
Also curious about the control options – anyone prefer Heidenhain over Siemens on these?
Appreciate any honest feedback. Trying not to buy the brochure.
Thanks
Mike
ToolRoom_Dan
Posted: 2 days ago
Got a 2021 DMU 50 3rd gen with the 15k 21kW spindle and 60 tool mag, Siemens. Run it hard 2 shifts most weeks.
Machine itself is solid. Accuracy holds up real good once its warm, the cooling on the table and screws makes a difference. That negative B tilt is actually usefull, saves a setup now and then. Tool change is quick and loading tools from the front while its running is nice.
Downsides:
Random little alarms. Filter pressure, air pressure, “not enough Z” on programs that ran fine yesterday. Usually just reset and keep going but its annoying.
Plastic covers and panels feel cheap, we already broke a couple.
Service has been hit or miss. Tech that came out once knew his stuff, next time it was a green guy reading the book.
Overall I’d buy it again for the size and price range. Just dont expect zero drama. Japanese machines are quieter on the reliability front in my experience.
5Axis_Guy
Posted: 1 day ago
We have one from 2019, same generation basically. Heidenhain control. Prefer it over Siemens personally, programming is cleaner for simultaneous work and the graphics are better for our guys.
Runs aluminum all day and some 17-4. Spindle stays happy, no heat issues if you keep the coolant clean. Table load is fine until you put a heavy fixture on a big part – watch the 300 kg total.
Common complaint I see is B-axis reference problems on older ones, ours has been fine. Brake on the rotary can get sticky if you neglect the maintenance schedule.
Biggest thing for us was learning the machine. Once the post was dialed and the operators got used to the Celos interface it became a real workhorse. Service is expensive and parts arent cheap, so budget for that. If your local DMG support is good you’re fine, if not it can get frustrating.
Would I buy another? Yes, but I’d look hard at the bigger brother or a used monoBLOCK if the budget stretched.
MidwestMachinist
Posted: 18 hours ago
We’ve had ours about 14 months. Standard 15k spindle, 30 tools (should have gone 60). Mostly positional 5-axis with some simultaneous.
Pros:
Compact footprint for what it does.
Good visibility.
Pretty accurate out of the box and stays that way.
The front tool loading is genuinely handy.
Cons:
Tool magazine capacity fills up fast on complex parts.
Occasional weird electrical/air alarms that dont make sense.
Support varies by region. We’re midwest and its average – not great, not terrible. Response time is usually a day or two.
If you’re coming from a 3-axis VMC this will feel like a big step up. If you already have higher-end 5-axis machines you might notice it’s more of an entry-level feel in build quality compared to the bigger DMG stuff or competitors.
Happy to answer specific questions if you have them.
