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METROM was founded in 2001 in Chemnitz, Germany and moved to Hartmannsdorf in 2010. Since then, the company has been manufacturing its machines there and distributing them worldwide.

We distribute our machines worldwide and have a broad network of representatives around the globe to offer you the easiest way to get in touch with us.

Basically, a machine can be delivered within 8 to 10 months, however, a fast-track option is possible under certain circumstances. If you are interested, please contact us and we will provide you with more detailed information.

We build so-called Pentapod 5-axis CNC machines for machining and additive manufacturing. Basically there are two machine series: the P-Series as CNC machining center and the PM-Series as mobile machine especially for on-site machining or repair.

Our Pentapod machines are machine tools with a patented 5-strut parallel kinematics. With the Pentapod system we are able to move the spindle or the tool in five axes and to machine a workpiece on 5 sides in a single clamping.

Our machines have 5 axes as standard. Optionally, a linear axis and a rotary table can be added to our stationary machining centres enabling 7-axis interpolation for large workpieces, higher dynamics on the workpiece, as well as accessibility to hard-to-reach areas.

The icosahedron as a body has the highest inherent physical rigidity. Thanks to the icosahedron structure of our machines, we are able to work with high precision without a machine foundation.

Thanks to their icosahedron structure, intelligent temperature compensation, and specially developed calibration routine, our CNC machines achieve up to 100 times higher rigidity and 10 times higher accuracy.

Conventionally machined materials include aluminium, copper, magnesium, wood, alabaster, silicon carbide, CFRP-reinforced plastics, plastics, steel (mild steel, stainless steel, duplex steel), Inconel and titanium.

If your material to be machined is not listed, please feel free to contact our team: info@metrom.com

Our machines were originally developed for machining only. Over the last few years we have adapted to the state of the art, so that we can now machine and also 3D print (metal and plastic) in our CNC machine tools. We refer to this type of machine as a hybrid CNC machine.

The Pentapod is nothing more than a CNC machine with the special feature that the machine spindle is held by 5 ball screws and moved through the machining space on five axes. This design is known as 5-bar parallel kinematics and was invented 25 years ago by Dr. Michael Schwaar.

The spindle can be swiveled horizontally up to 90° in one direction and, with the aid of a rotary table (6th axis), enables complete 5-sided machining of the component.

The design: One of the most striking features of the Pentapod is its unique design. Firstly, it consists of 5 ball screws that protrude from the machine and form the parallel kinematics responsible for the 5-axis movement of the machine spindle. Second, the machine has an icosahedron shape on the outside, which makes it even more distinctive.

Kinematics: As mentioned above, the Pentapod’s patented parallel kinematics with five struts are at the heart of the machine and a key feature that sets it apart from others. This unique design allows users to significantly increase their productivity and energy efficiency, resulting in an excellent ROI.

The Pentapod is therefore another type of machine tool alongside the classic horizontal and vertical 5-axis machines. Since the spindle can be swiveled up to 90° due to the kinematics, both horizontal and vertical machining are possible.

Rigidity: The design of the Pentapod 5-axis machining center is based on an icosahedron. This offers exceptionally high inherent rigidity, eliminating the need for a machine foundation and enabling precise machining. In addition, the five struts are mounted in the machine housing in a gimbal-type arrangement and are therefore not subject to bending stress, making them very rigid.

Performance: The five recirculating ball screws hold and move the spindle in five axes through the working area. This parallel kinematics results in very high dynamics and enables the production of complex components.

Energy and cost efficiency: The parallel kinematics increase energy efficiency, as only the spindle is moved. The spindle has a significantly lower mass than the movable linear axes or rotary swivel tables in conventional machining centers. In addition, the machine does not require expensive machine foundations. Thanks to high-speed cutting (HSC) technology and optimized processes, it can work with most materials with minimal or no coolant.

The Pentapod achieves an impressive repeatability of 3µm in 5-axis machining without the need for a machine foundation. The rigidity of the machine is ensured by the rigid icosahedron structure, parallel kinematics, and thermal stabilization by means of a water circuit through the five struts and the icosahedron body.

The incredible productivity of Pentapod milling machines can be significantly increased by using an automation solution. On the one hand, a pallet changing system can be used, in which the components are preloaded onto pallets and automatically inserted into the machine. On the other hand, other solutions are also possible, such as the use of robots to load the machine.

Our P-Series is basically available in four versions for the following component sizes:

If required, smaller customizations such as the adaptation of the linear unit of the machine table can be made possible. You are welcome to use our online configurator, to submit a request for a machine tailored to your needs.

At your request, an integrated tool changer can be installed. The usual number of tool positions is 6, 12, 23, or 28.

The machines are used in series production and can be equipped with additional automation options for increasing production capacity like palet changers, tool measurement systems etc.

No, our Pentapods are designed precisely to eliminate the need for expensive machine foundations. The Pentapod structure leads to a very high rigidity and accordingly to a high machining accuracy. Thus, our machines can be positioned on any surface.

We already have customers who have our Pentapods machines in their foundries. The five ball screws are sufficiently protected against dirt, so there is minimal dirt there. Likewise, castings can be machined with our high performance machines without any problems.

The „andronic 3060L“ control system is used for METROM CNC machining centres.

Additive manufacturing was introduced and optimized at our company a few years ago. We already have several systems at our customers‘ facilities, which generate components additively and simultaneously post-process them subtractively.

For metallic components, we use wire-based DED with laser or arc-welding sources as well as submerged arc-welding processes. And for plastic parts, we integrate the SEAM extrusion tool to 3D print large industrial-grade parts quickly and cost-effectively.

Launched in 2008 , the Pentapod mobile milling machine is a further development of the P-Series Pentapod machinig center. A key difference is that the upper icosahedron hood, which uses 5-strut parallel kinematics, can be removed from the frame and positioned horizontally or vertically as desired, allowing for optimal placement in relation to the component being machined.

This unique feature of the Pentapod mobile milling machine offers greater flexibility compared to the machining center. The removable hood allows it to be positioned precisely horizontally or vertically to meet the specific requirements of the workpiece. This capability opens up new possibilities for complex machining tasks and allows better accessibility to complicated areas.

With the removable top hood and parallel kinematics of the five struts, the PM series offers unmatched versatility, making it an ideal choice for various applications, including flexible production, mobile machining, and repair tasks. This advancement allows users to achieve greater efficiency and precision in machining.

Flexibility and versatile positioning: The machine’s variable and rapid positioning capabilities allow for effortless positioning on different workpieces. With its five-strut parallel kinematics, the machine can perform 5-axis movement exclusively via the spindle. This flexibility allows for easy adaptation to different workpieces and makes it extremely versatile for machining operations.

Hybrid machining for repair and maintenance: A key advantage of the Pentapod CNC machine is its hybrid machining capability, which includes both milling and additive processes such as Directed Energy Deposition (DED). This hybrid approach proves particularly advantageous for the repair and maintenance of metal parts. This eliminates the need to send large parts to suppliers, saving costs by avoiding special transport and complex disassembly processes.

Rigidity and performance: The Pentapod 5-axis machining center, based on an icosahedron, offers exceptional inherent rigidity. This eliminates the need for a machine foundation and ensures precise machining. The machine’s five struts are mounted in the machine body using gimbal bearings, which ensures high bending strength and thus high rigidity. In addition, the five recirculating ball screws efficiently hold and move the spindle through the working area and ensure high dynamics in the production of complex components.

The mobile Pentapod milling machine achieves an impressive repeatability of 3 µm in 5-axis machining without the need for a machine foundation. The rigid icosahedron structure, parallel kinematics, and thermal stabilization via a water circuit through the five struts and the icosahedron body ensure the rigidity of the machine.

Precision and stability: The design of the Pentapod CNC machine, based on an icosahedron body and equipped with parallel kinematics with five struts, offers exceptional rigidity and stability. This ensures precise and accurate machining, which is often difficult to achieve with robots or hand-held tools.

5-axis capability: The Pentapod CNC machine offers true 5-axis motion exclusively via the spindle. This enables complex machining operations and the easy production of complicated components. In contrast, hand-held tools typically have limited axis movement, which limits their versatility and the complexity of the work they can handle.

Efficiency and speed: The Pentapod CNC machine combines the advantages of HSC technology with optimized processes. It can operate at high speeds while maintaining accuracy and quality. In comparison, robots and hand-held tools may lack the speed and precision required for efficient machining tasks, resulting in longer production times and potentially poorer results.

No, Pentapods are designed so that no expensive machine foundations are required. The Pentapod structure provides high rigidity and thus high machining accuracy. This means that our machines can be set up on any surface.

On-site machining means the machining or repairing of very large components using a CNC machine system to avoid transportation effort and costs for repair or adjustment.

We have recognized in 2008 in industries such as vessel and reactor construction, on and offshore or any power plants that on-site machining has a great demand. Thus resulted the PM-Series, which is able to deliver machining accuracies of a machine tool and at the same time mobility like a robot.

More information under PM-Series!

We offer a frame for both horizontal (as with the P-Series) and vertical CNC machining. The vertical positioning of the machine is particularly attractive for on-site machining. However, the machine cover of the PM-Series can also be mounted and positioned on the component (e.g., magnetically).

After the machine has been positioned, the exact machining position is referenced in relation to the workpiece by using touch probe, camera-based or laser-tracker systems depending on the task.

The PM-Series mobile CNC machine is ideal for mobile transportation by truck or air freight.

Yes, we offer CNC on-site machining as a service. We already have over 15 years of experience in on-site machining and have been operating worldwide.

Contact us anytime!

For mobile processing at your location we need:

• for unloading the machine, a forklift truck with extended forks with a loading capacity
  of 8t or an overhead crane with a load capacity of at least 5t
• an electric connection with an operating voltage of 400V, a frequency of 50Hz, a connected load of 32kVA and a fuse protection of 63A
• a compressed air connection with 6bar
• a network connection in case remote maintenance is necessary