SkyMill Compact CNC Mill Holds Plates on 8-Zone Vacuum Table
Machining large aluminum, composite, and plastic plates means balancing material removal rates against surface finish, often on a machine that takes up more floor space than the parts justify. The SkyMill is a compact, enclosed CNC milling machine for aluminum, composites, advanced materials, and technical plastics in an 80 x 42.5 in (2,030 x 1,080 mm) format. It's built for high pass depths and widths while holding the accuracy and finish required for precision work.
Displayed at IMTS 2026
RM Technologies' Skymill CNC machining system, represented by Centric International in North America, made its North American debut at IMTS 2026.
The machine uses a 0.5 in (12 mm) thick electrowelded tubular steel frame to limit vibration, which helps maintain finish quality on lightweight and delicate materials. Brushless motors with absolute encoders drive the axes through preloaded ball screws for smooth, repeatable motion.
The standard configuration pairs a Fanuc CNC control and 27 in (686 mm) touchscreen with an 19 hp (14 kW) electrospindle that reaches 24,000 rpm with an HSK63F tool interface for high-removal machining. For high-speed machining, the machine can be configured with a 11 hp (8 kW), 36,000 rpm spindle with an HSK40 interface, a Mitsubishi CNC control, and linear scales. A 30-position automatic tool changer includes integrated tool-length presetting.
The milled and ground aluminum worktable offers two workholding methods. A vacuum system, powered by pumps and controlled by solenoid valves, holds plates without mechanical anchors and can be divided into eight zones selected from the operator panel, so even small milled parts stay in place without external aids. Threaded steel dowels in the tabletop accept brackets and clamps for mechanical fastening when part geometry calls for it.
A protected Renishaw probe mounted alongside the electrospindle handles part measurement, alignment, work-offset setting, and machining recovery after repositioning. Because it is activated from the operator panel, it does not occupy a position in the tool changer. Twenty-five keyboard functions automate part positioning and identification of machining origins.
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) uses two sets of nozzles. One pair sits inside the chip extraction hood to deliver oil and air while the hood is lowered onto the table; a second, pneumatically operated pair can be engaged from the control console for machining without the hood. The height-adjustable hood mounts on the Z-axis assembly, connects to an optional external vacuum for chip collection, and can be disengaged through software from the operator panel. When the hood isn't in use, chips collect in containers below the worktable. Vertical sliding doors provide access to the work area while keeping the footprint small enough to install the machine near other equipment.
Applications
- Aerospace component and tooling machining
- Composite structure milling
- Mold and pattern making
- Aluminum platework
- Technical plastic part machining
Industries
- Aerospace
- Composites
- Mold and pattern making
- Plastics
- Precision components
Who It's For
- Large-format plate machining in limited floor space
- Fast setup without fixtures
- High material removal with fine surface finish
- Small parts held without external aids
- In-process probing without losing a tool position
Features:
- Worktable: 80 x 42.5 in (2,030 x 1,080 mm), milled and ground aluminum
- Vacuum workholding with eight zones selectable from operator panel
- Threaded steel dowels for mechanical clamping
- Standard spindle: 19 hp (14 kW), up to 24,000 rpm, HSK63F
- Optional spindle: 11 hp (8 kW), up to 36,000 rpm, HSK40
- Fanuc CNC control with 27 in (686 mm) touchscreen; Mitsubishi control optional
- 30-position automatic tool changer with tool-length presetting
- Renishaw probe mounted alongside spindle
- 25 keyboard functions for part positioning and origin identification
- 0.5 in (12 mm) electrowelded tubular steel frame
- Brushless axis motors with absolute encoders and preloaded ball screws
- Dual-nozzle MQL lubrication for hood-down and hood-up machining
- Height-adjustable, software-disengaged chip extraction hood; external vacuum optional
- Chip containers below worktable
- Vertical sliding doors
- Linear scales optional
RM Technologies | Centric International
Vista, CA
(760) 974-0016
[email protected]
centric-rm.com