AXA spindle and motor spindle repair
Brochexpress is an independent workshop specialising in the repair, maintenance and diagnostics of AXA spindles and motor spindles — the German manufacturer from Schöppingen founded in 1965, a specialist in large travelling column and gantry machining centres.
AXA, a German builder of large machining centres since 1965
TLDR: AXA Maschinenbau, based in Schöppingen and founded in 1965, specialises in large travelling column machining centres, with a philosophy of maximum rigidity and optimum accuracy across vast working areas, and a highly modular range tailored to each customer's needs.
AXA Maschinenbau designs and builds a complete range of large 3, 4 and 5 axis machining centres in its workshops in Schöppingen, Germany, with around 350 employees. This specialisation in travelling columns has earned AXA a reputation as a reliable, technologically advanced German manufacturer: the philosophy behind the approach is to guarantee maximum rigidity and optimum accuracy across the entire working area, which is often very extensive.
The range stands out for its high modularity, allowing machines to be matched precisely to each customer's requirements, from compact vertical spindle centres for restricted manufacturing spaces through to horizontal centres with a swivelling spindle and an X travel of 10,000 mm, for milling, drilling or turning. AXA claims 100% "Made in Germany" manufacturing and a comprehensive approach to accuracy in which manual work plays an important role from the very first stage. Its machines are found in mould shops, tool shops and pattern shops, and also serve applied research: the Fraunhofer institute used an AXA VPC 2800 U gantry machining centre to put a one-off automotive manufacturing process into practice. This build-to-order design has a direct consequence for maintenance — two machines of the same series do not necessarily carry the same AXA spindle, which makes a prior diagnosis essential.
A range of AXA spindles on VPC gantries and travelling column centres
TLDR: AXA VPC series gantries combine a rigid fixed-table structure with a 5 axis head — up to 3,000 × 1,600 × 900 mm and around 6 tonnes of workpiece on the VPC 45 DASK — while older travelling column centres (VSC, VHC) use SK 40 or SK 50 taper spindles, with power ratings from 19 to 56 kW depending on the generation.
The VPC 45 DASK gantry, designed for mould, tool and pattern shops, offers travels of 3,000 × 1,600 × 900 mm and a fixed table, coupled with a very rigid frame, allowing blanks of around 6 tonnes to be loaded. Fitted with a 2 axis head, it handles dynamic 5 axis machining, designed in particular for finishing precision parts with very fine surface finishes; the 5 axis head has hydraulic clamping for greater rigidity in positioned machining. AXA offers spindle, axis motor and ball screw cooling as standard to meet accuracy requirements.
On the VPC U gantry, the swivelling spindle rotates about the Y axis while a CNC rotary table integrated into the frame orients the workpiece, for 5-face machining, with X travels of 2,300 to 3,400 mm in the vertical configuration. On older generations of travelling column centres, published data for used machines show AXA spindles with SK 40 tapers (VSC 1-M: 80 to 8,000 rpm, 19 kW, 40-tool changer) or SK 50 tapers (VHC3-XTS 50: 9,000 rpm, 56 kW, 350 Nm, 5 axis head at ±100°). The spindle cooling fitted as standard is one of the assemblies we check systematically: on a machine of this size, its failure shows up as thermal drift long before it shows up as a breakdown.
AXA spindles and motor spindles covered (non-exhaustive list)
- VPC gantry spindles, including VPC 45 DASK and VPC U, with hydraulically clamped 5 axis head
- Swivelling spindles of gantry machining centres with integrated rotary table
- SK 40 taper spindles, VSC series (VSC 1-M, VSC 2-3000)
- SK 50 taper spindles of high-power 5 axis centres, VHC3 series
- Spindles of PFZ enclosed gantries and AXA travelling column centres of all generations
Interfaces and specifications
The AXA spindles and motor spindles we repair come with SK 40 or SK 50 tapers on travelling column generations, with power ratings from 19 to 56 kW and rotation speeds of the order of 8,000 to 9,000 rpm on these models — exact specifications to be confirmed on quotation according to the reference of your machine, as these vary with the original build-to-order design.
Our expertise on your AXA spindles and motor spindles
TLDR: Brochexpress works across the entire life cycle of your AXA motor spindles, with the same rigour as for the other brands in our portfolio.
On-site customer service
- Diagnostics and service directly on your machine, in your production workshop, to limit downtime on large-scale equipment
Full diagnostics
- Inspection of clearances, balancing, bearing condition, sealing and the spindle cooling system, with a detailed technical report
Preventive and corrective maintenance
- Maintenance programme tailored to the production rates of tooling, moulds and precision engineering, together with corrective action in the event of a breakdown
Overhaul and refurbishment
- Grinding, bearing replacement, sealing refurbishment and rotation testing in the workshop, restoring the manufacturer's original tolerances
Why choose Brochexpress for your AXA spindles
- An independent workshop, with no capital ties to manufacturers, guaranteeing an objective diagnosis
- Expertise in gantry and travelling column centre spindles, including hydraulically clamped 5 axis heads
- Two service sites: Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland)
- Support from the first intervention through to return to production
Turnaround and warranty
- On-site service within 48h
- Workshop repair: around 20 working days depending on parts availability
- 12-month warranty on all our repairs
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair the spindles and 5 axis heads of AXA VPC gantries (VPC 45 DASK, VPC U)?
Yes, we work on these spindles, including heads with hydraulic clamping.
Do you work on the spindles of older AXA travelling column machining centres (VSC, VHC)?
Yes, we diagnose and repair these spindles, whatever the age of the machine and the fitted taper (SK 40 or SK 50).
What is the average turnaround for a full overhaul?
Allow around 20 working days in the workshop, depending on the condition of the spindle and the availability of parts (bearings, seals, specific components).
AXA machines are built to order — does the same spindle reference exist across all machines?
No, the high modularity of the range means configurations vary from one machine to another; an on-site diagnosis identifies your exact configuration before any intervention.
Do you offer a preventive maintenance contract for a fleet of AXA machines?
Yes, we set up preventive maintenance programmes tailored to your production rate.
Are you an official AXA partner?
No. Brochexpress is an independent repair and maintenance workshop. We are neither affiliated with, nor a partner of, nor an authorised distributor of AXA Maschinenbau. Our business covers independent maintenance of industrial equipment, permitted under the principle of referential trademark use (EU Trademark Directive 2015/2436 / French Intellectual Property Code, art. L.713-6).
A reliable partner for your industrial performance
Whether it is an emergency on-site intervention, a full workshop overhaul or a preventive maintenance programme, Brochexpress brings its expertise to your production. As an independent workshop, we work across all AXA motor spindles — travelling column and gantry machining centre spindles — with the responsiveness and rigour demanded by the most exacting industrial environments: moulds, tooling and large-scale engineering.
Our teams are at your disposal from our sites in Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland) for a study of your needs, a diagnosis or a personalised quotation.
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AXA® is a registered trademark of AXA Maschinenbau. Brochexpress is neither affiliated with, nor a partner of, nor an authorised distributor of AXA Maschinenbau. Our business covers independent repair and maintenance of industrial equipment, permitted under the principle of referential trademark use (EU Trademark Directive 2015/2436 / French Intellectual Property Code, art. L.713-6).