China's first milling machine for propellers
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After attending the acceptance of the national "863 Program" project led by Wuhan Heavy Machine Tool Group Co., Ltd. (Wuzhong), Professor Sheng Bohao, a senior engineer and deputy chief at the Beijing Machine Tool Research Institute, praised the CKX5680 CNC seven-axis five-link motor-milling combined machining machine highly.
He explained that this is China’s first large-scale vertical turning and milling machine, primarily used for processing large ship propellers. Previously, such equipment had to be imported at a cost exceeding 10 million U.S. dollars, but with this successful development, the cost has been reduced to over 10 million yuan. According to Sheng, this achievement solves a critical issue from both strategic and economic perspectives.
The machine features a maximum processing diameter of 8 meters, a height of 2 meters, and a workbench capable of supporting 100 tons. It not only offers precision milling of propeller blade surfaces, including overlapping sections, but also utilizes turning and milling functions. This allows for single-clamping multi-surface machining, significantly improving the quality of ship propellers in China.
Many non-industry people may not fully grasp the strategic importance of five-axis CNC machines. A notable example is the Toshiba incident: in the late 20th century, Toshiba sold several five-axis CNC machines to the former Soviet Union, which were later used to manufacture nuclear submarine propellers. The improved precision allowed the submarines to operate more quietly, making them harder to detect by U.S. sonar. As a result, the U.S. government punished Toshiba for violating export restrictions.
The strategic value of five-axis CNC machines is clear. Beyond military applications, they play a crucial role in aviation, aerospace, defense, scientific research, precision instruments, and high-precision medical equipment.
Liang Xunyi, honorary chairman of the China Machine Tool Association, emphasized that the equipment manufacturing industry is the cornerstone of a country's industrial base. It provides essential tools for technological advancement and modern production. This industry is indispensable and remains highly valued even by developed nations. With China's growing economy and national defense needs, there is an urgent demand for high-end CNC machines. These tools are a symbol of a nation’s manufacturing capability, and five-axis linkage systems reflect a country’s industrial maturity. For a long time, Western countries led by the U.S. have controlled exports of such technology through strict licensing policies. Even today, high-precision CNC machines remain hard to obtain. At this year’s International Machine Tool Show, the U.S.-based Cincinnati Company displayed a high-end machine tool for aircraft composite materials. When asked about purchasing options, the company only offered finished products, not the machine itself.
Guilin, the chief engineer at Wuzhong, shared that the development of the CKX5680 took four years of effort. He believes the project achieved independent innovation in key areas such as the machine body, control systems, and surface processing. The core technologies can be applied to critical components in China’s energy sector, such as large turbine blades and runners. These innovations provide common processing solutions and advanced manufacturing equipment for aircraft engines, rocket engines, and ship propellers, filling domestic gaps and breaking foreign technological blockades. This is vital for both national defense and economic development.
Previously, Wuzhong also held a technical review for a super-large single-column vertical turning and milling machine, ordered by Dongfang Electric (Guangzhou) Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. This machine, with a load capacity of 600 tons, is the first of its kind globally.
2006 marked a significant year for Wuzhong’s technological advancements. At the beginning of the year, the CKX53160 CNC single-column vertical milling lathe developed by the company won the second prize in scientific and technological progress awarded by the State Council — the highest honor ever given to the national machine tool industry. Additionally, the National Development and Reform Commission recognized Wuzhong as an “Important Unit in the Localization of Major Technical Equipments.†Only three such awards were given nationwide, and among them, only one enterprise from Hubei Province received it.
Liu believes these innovations are of great significance. They not only elevate China’s machine tool design and production capabilities but also achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening domestic brands. Just like the competition between Lekai Film and Kodak/Fuji, it's not just about product rivalry, but also about shaping market dynamics and breaking existing patterns.