China’s CNC five-axis machine tool industry will show a rapid development trend in 2025, with technological breakthroughs and localization accelerating, while high-end market demand continues to grow. Here’s an analysis of the recent state of the industry:
- Market size and growth
In 2024, the market size of China’s five-axis linkage machine tool will reach 4.26 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.23%, and it is expected to grow further in 2025.
The global 5-axis CNC machining center market was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.8 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 7.5%.
The growth rate of China’s five-axis linkage machine tool market is higher than the global average, and the proportion of domestic five-axis machine tools will exceed 50% for the first time from 2023 to 2024.
- Localization and technological breakthroughs
Domestic substitution accelerates: domestic five-axis machine tools have reached 85% of the mid-end market, but they still rely on imports in the high-end market (import dependence exceeds 60%)。
Core technological innovation：
CNC system: The market share of domestic high-end CNC systems (such as Huazhong CNC) increased from less than 1% to 31.9%.
Key components: The localization rate of five-axis swing angle milling head and high-speed motor spindle has increased, but precision screws and bearings still rely on imports.
Intelligent upgrading: AI adaptive control, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and other technologies are gradually applied, such as the rocOS system of Tuopu CNC and the intelligent compensation algorithm of Kede CNC.
- Main application fields
Aerospace (accounting for 30%): used for high-precision processing of aero engine blades and turbine discs, and domestic equipment gradually replaces imports.
New energy vehicles: There is a surge in demand for integrated die-casting processing, such as Shenyang Jingrui’s D160s double five-axis horizontal machining center, which is designed for large aluminum alloy parts of new energy vehicles.
Medical & Semiconductor: The growing demand for precision medical devices and semiconductor vacuum chamber processing is driving the development of 5-axis machine tools to higher precision.
- Industry Competitive Landscape
The rise of domestic leading enterprises: Kede CNC, Tuopu CNC, Shenyang Jingrui and other enterprises have made breakthroughs in the high-end market, and the performance of some models is comparable to that of international brands.
International competition: DMG Mori and Mazak still dominate the high-end market, but domestic manufacturers are gradually seizing market share through cost-effectiveness and localized services.
Market concentration increase: In Q1 2025, the market share of China’s top 10 metal cutting machine tool manufacturers will reach 37.8%, and the industry will be concentrated in the head enterprises.
- Future Trends and Challenges
Intelligent and green manufacturing: AI real-time error compensation and energy-saving design have become the development direction.
The supply chain is independent and controllable: core components (such as CNC systems and precision bearings) still need to be broken through to avoid “stuck necks”.
High-end talent gap: The demand for compound technical talents (machinery + AI + automation) is strong, which restricts the upgrading of the industry.
summary
China’s five-axis machine tool industry is in the critical stage from “following” to “running”, the localization rate has improved, and the technological breakthrough has been remarkable, but the high-end market is still facing international competitive pressure. In the future, intelligent, composite and green manufacturing will become the main development direction, and domestic enterprises are expected to further expand their market share in aerospace, new energy vehicles and other fields