A Heller HF 5500 FLEX horizontal simultaneous 5-axis mill-turn machine will be one of the main headline acts at Mills CNC’s forthcoming Innovation Day technology event in October.
Mills CNC is showcasing 11 advanced multi-tasking machine tools at its ‘Innovation Day’ technology show taking place at the company’s Technology Campus facility in Leamington Spa on 8th October 2026.
The event, aimed at UK and Irish component manufacturers looking to their increase productivity and improve their process efficiencies, will champion the operational and commercial benefits of one-hit machining and, in addition to ten DN Solutions’ machine tools being on show, also provides the ideal venue for the formal introduction of a popular and proven Heller HF 5500 FLEX horizontal simultaneous 5-axis mill-turn machine to event attendees.
This machine, a late addition to Mills’ product line-up at the recent MACH 2026 Show in April, now shares pride of place at the company’s Innovation Day where it will be undertaking a challenging machining demonstration – the fast and precise processing of a complex aerospace blisk made from a heat-resistant super alloy.
“DN Solutions acquisition of Heller back in 2025 has significantly increased the depth and breadth of advanced machine tool technologies we (Mills CNC) can now offer our customers.
“Heller machines, like the HF 5500 FLEX, are premium machine tools recognised globally for their outstanding performance and are a mainstay advanced technology for many aerospace, automotive and power generation OEMs, Tier One and specialist sub-contractors machining high-integrity components.
“At our Innovation Day event, customers will be able to, not only see the Heller HF 5500 FLEX being put through its paces machining the aerospace blisk, but will also be able to find out more about the machine and its strengths and capabilities via a series of live, in-person, presentations delivered directly by Heller technical representatives.”
Tony Dale, Group CEO at Mills CNC
The machining demonstration and presentations will highlight how and why the HF 5500 FLEX has become a preferred one-hit machine tool choice for aerospace, power generation and automotive (heavy-duty) component manufacturing.
HF 5500 FLEX – a closer look
Equipped with the Siemens SINUMERIK ONE control and 24” multi-touch screen, the HF 5500 FLEX features a powerful HSK-T (mill-turn) spindle (45kW/12,000rpm/400N-m), up to 90m/min rapids on its linear axes, a 630mm x 630mm rotary, tilting table and a 50-tool position ATC.
The machine’s “FLEX” designation refers to the machine’s table loading configuration which, unlike some other Heller models, is built without an integrated pallet changer but, instead, features a) fast and flexible table loading access with direct workpiece set up and b) the ability to integrate the machine with a myriad of external linear or rotary pallet systems.
The absence of an integrated pallet changer also means that the HF 5500 FLEX is a more compact machine with a smaller footprint.
Key attributes
The HF 5500 FLEX’s spindle is characterised by its narrow (lean) neck which, with its horizontal orientation, allows maximum spindle/tool projection and optimal reach inside complex-shaped workpieces.
Unlike vertical machining centres, the HF 5500 FLEX’s horizontal configuration and a 225-degree tilt on the machine’s table allows chips to fall naturally, and unencumbered, into a central conveyor to keep the workspace clear. Such ‘gravity-assisted’ chip removal ensures uninterrupted machining and higher productivity.
To manage heavy machining loads, the HF 5500 FLEX utilises a unique combination of a counter bearing and a YRT high-precision axial-radial roller bearing on the machine’s A- and B-axes ensuring greater process reliability and higher accuracies when machining higher loads.
Real time, multi-layered thermal compensation (i.e., active spindle thermal growth compensation), chilled spindles and drive and cabinet cooling keeps heat, and its effects, out of critical structural zones during heavy-cutting cycles and long machining runs – thereby improving part accuracies.
Furthermore, all linear axes use direct absolute linear encoders (measuring systems) rather than relying on motor encoders to maintain high precision, and ball screw thermal expansion issues are immediately detected and rectified in real time too.
“The Heller HF 5500 FLEX is a powerful, fast, precise and flexible mill-turn machine that delivers unrivalled simultaneous 5-axis machining performance and exceptional one-hit part processing.
“For highly-regulated industries and sectors that demand the machining of flawless, right-first-time and repeatable high-precision components, even when machining hard and difficult-to-machine materials, the Heller HF 5500 FLEX can be relied upon to deliver.
“The machine is one of eleven advanced machine tools being showcased at our Innovation Day technology event in October and, along with our latest SYNERGi automation systems, will demonstrate the way forward for component manufacturers looking to maintain, or acquire, a competitive edge.”
Tony Dale, Group CEO at Mills CNC