On a chilly October morning in New England, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Patrick Gunsch, engineering project leader for DATRON’s MXCube. Within minutes, it became clear that the MXCube was far more than just a new machine; it represented the culmination of years of experience, collaboration, and innovation. Our conversation not only revealed the incredible power and precision of the MXCube but also gave me a deeper appreciation of what goes into designing a truly world-class CNC machine.
Here is the story of how the MXCube came to life.
From the M10Pro to the Next Generation
In 2008, DATRON introduced the M10Pro, its most industrial and precise machine tool. The M10Pro opened doors to new precision applications and customers previously beyond reach. Over the next decade, it proved to be a capable and reliable system. However, as with all great innovations, DATRON’s engineers saw opportunities for further improvement, laying the groundwork for the next evolution: the MXCube.
Engineering Insights and the Challenge of Thermal Stability
For years, DATRON collaborated with the Technical University of Darmstadt, where PhD students used DATRON machines for research projects. Their feedback, combined with DATRON’s own field experience, led to several design insights. For instance, engineers wanted to integrate a more powerful 8 kW spindle, which required a redesigned Z-axis capable of supporting the additional mass. They also needed better chip management, knowing higher material removal rates would demand more efficient evacuation.
But one fundamental challenge drove the decision to start fresh: thermal stability. The M10Pro’s granite table provided excellent rigidity and vibration damping, but its thermal expansion characteristics differed from those of the steel components in the machine. This made achieving true micron-level accuracy nearly impossible. The alternative—using polymeric concrete—offered a much closer thermal coefficient to steel and more design flexibility. Yet, the massive table required an entirely new frame and structure to accommodate its increased mass.
At this point, Gunsch and his R&D team made a bold decision: rather than modify the M10Pro, they would design a new machine from the ground up. The MXCube project had begun.
Defining the DATRON Design Philosophy
Before diving deeper into the MXCube’s engineering, it’s worth understanding what makes DATRON machines unique.
The heart of every DATRON machine is a high-speed spindle. These spindles enable efficient machining with small tools in non-ferrous materials like aluminum, where speed and precision are critical.
Unlike conventional heavy C-frame machines, DATRON designs are based on lighter-weight gantry systems. This minimizes inertia, allowing rapid acceleration and deceleration without sacrificing precision or risking tool breakage. Despite the association of gantry designs with lower-end routers, DATRON’s engineering approach achieves micron-level tolerances with a fraction of the mass.
The benefits go beyond performance. The lighter-weight construction reduces energy consumption and operating costs while offering a larger work envelope-to-footprint ratio, meaning more capability in less space.
The MXCube would take all these advantages to the next level: a machine that combines DATRON’s agility and efficiency with industrial-grade accuracy and 24/7 production capability.
Engineering the MXCube
The MXCube’s design goals were ambitious:
- Achieve micron-level precision
- Operate reliably in continuous production environments
- Support automation and heavy workpieces
- Maintain DATRON’s user-friendly operation and efficiency
See the MXCube in Action!
Structure and Materials
The first major task was developing the massive polymeric concrete table, weighing 1.3 tons. Since prototyping such a structure was impractical, DATRON invested in a production-grade mold and waited 14 weeks for the first casting. During that time and before design developments, the R&D team completed the design of all systems and was ready to assemble the machine as soon as the table arrived.
The new table allowed better chip evacuation, directing debris to a lower chamber where a motorized conveyor system carried chips out of the machine—critical for high-speed aluminum machining.
Z-Axis and Gantry
Supporting the new 8 kW spindle required a completely redesigned Z-axis and gantry. The Z-axis steel structure was ground and lapped on all surfaces to eliminate stress and ensure perfect flatness. The assembly precision was so demanding and critical to the success that DATRON invested in new metrology equipment to verify tolerances.
To further increase rigidity, DATRON moved the dual Y-axis drives from beneath the table to the top, shortening the structural distance to the gantry and minimizing vibration. Custom housings and covers were designed to protect the Y-axis ball screws from chips and dust.
Smarter Control, Safer Operation
The next control, first introduced with the DATRON neo in 2015, was selected for the MXCube. Its intuitive touch interface and visual workflows had already earned praise from users. However, under the hood, it received significant upgrades to handle the MXCube’s increased power and complexity. For example, a new motion monitoring system tracks motor currents on two levels, allowing higher loads during acceleration but tightening limits during steady-state operation. This makes the system highly responsive to abnormal forces, such as a crash, minimizing potential damage to the machine and resulting in extremely low service incidents despite the machine’s industrial workload.
Tool Management Innovation
To support 24/7 production, the MXCube needed a larger tool magazine than previous models. DATRON’s engineers developed the Tool Assist system, positioning the main magazine outside the machining area to preserve working space. It automatically loads smaller tool sets of five into the machining area, storing up to 143 HSK tool holders externally. This design enhanced both efficiency and operator convenience.
From Prototype to Production
All other systems were ready by the time the first polymeric table arrived. The R&D team worked late nights and weekends assembling the first prototype, and when they powered it up, the results exceeded expectations. Within just one year of its initial concept, the MXCube was unveiled at the AMB Trade Show in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2018, showcasing extraordinary speed and accuracy.
DATRON produced five pre-series machines following the prototype to fine-tune the design before full production began.
Ensuring Consistency: The Geometry Protocol
Building one precise machine is difficult—building every machine to the same precision is even harder. DATRON created the Geometry Protocol, a comprehensive quality program defining strict tolerance ranges for alignment, straightness, and squareness to guarantee consistency.
For example, every MXCube undergoes a 600 mm diameter Renishaw ball bar test, requiring deviations no greater than 5 microns, often achieving 3 microns or better. These results are documented and included with each machine, ensuring customers receive the same accuracy DATRON promised from day one.
A Machine Built with Passion and Purpose
As Patrick Gunsch explained, “If you need to make a high-tolerance part, the machine tool is only one factor.” Achieving precision requires understanding the entire process, including material stresses, tool wear, cutting forces, programming, and ambient temperature. The MXCube provides the foundation, but success lies in mastering the entire process.
After spending time with Patrick, I left with a deep respect not just for the MXCube’s engineering brilliance, but for the passion and commitment behind it. The MXCube is more than DATRON’s most accurate machine—it’s a testament to what happens when innovation meets craftsmanship, and when engineers push the boundaries for perfection.
