CNC Milling Machines Market

Market Overview

The global CNC milling machines market size was valued at USD 76 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 94 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.52% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Milling is a machining process that uses rotary cutters to remove the material from a workpiece in a direction using different tool axes. A milling machine is designed to cut metal, wood, and other hard materials. The capability of CNC milling machines to create precise sizes and shapes and develop a large variety of features has made it one of the most commonly used machinery in several industries. With the introduction of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) in the 1950s, milling machines have evolved. They are now known as CNC milling machines, automating and enhancing the precision of the milling process.

CNC milling machines are also often termed machining centers. CNC milling machines are placed vertically or horizontally to sculpt material based on existing designs. Milling machines perform a variety of operations according to specific needs. Milling machines are equipped with a variety of tools. These tool heads include cutters, rounding, flute, and ball-end mills. Automotive, aerospace, electrical and electronics are among the significant end-users of CNC milling machines.

Highlights

• Vertical CNC milling machines dominate the product type segment
• 3-Axis dominates the axis type segment
• Automotive dominates the end-user segment
• Asia-Pacific is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global CNC Milling Machines Market Drivers

Industrial and Economic Growth in Asia-Pacific

Over the past few decades, emerging Asia-Pacific economies witnessing high economic growth, markets with potentially high consumption, and those with increasing industrial and manufacturing competitiveness have started challenging their developed counterparts in global manufacturing. These economies are making substantial progress across all types of manufacturing, constituting as much as 65% of the output through low and medium-technology-enabled industries that demand CNC milling machines.

On the hi-tech manufacturing side, precision manufacturing, traditionally dominated by countries like the US, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France, has shifted toward economies such as China, Singapore, and India. In addition, Asia-Pacific constitutes as much as 45–50% of the hi-tech manufacturing share, with precision parts as a critical constituent driving the demand for CNC milling machines.

Growth in the Automotive Sector

Investments in China witnessed a slowdown owing to the outbreak of the pandemic. However, the relaxation in restrictions pushed the market toward normalization. The Chinese market is improving due to relaxed regulations and a recovering economy. The major sectors include automotive and electronics productions. In addition, the Chinese GDP is likely to rebound by the end of 2021, and a rebalancing of machine tools consumption is expected during the forecast period.

Furthermore, discretionary spending on manufactured goods and services per capita income will likely rise. Even though the market witnessed weaker investment in 2020, there is still enough scope for development. China, including CNC milling machines, remains an essential global machine tools market engine. In terms of investments, the market rebounded by 5% in 2021. And in terms of demand, the market bounced back to over 25% globally in 2021. Therefore, vendors catering to this segment will witness a sudden rise in demand.

Global CNC Milling Machines Market Restraint

Volatility in Raw Material Cost

Raw materials constitute the single most significant cost for milling machines. The critical raw materials for the industry include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, particularly steel and aluminum. The production and sales of these raw materials witnessed significant fluctuations due to COVID-19. The volatility of raw material costs poses a severe threat to vendor margins. Other operating expenses, such as labor wages, are also sharply increasing. All these factors are burdening vendors striving to produce highly efficient CNC milling machines at affordable costs to cope with growing competition in the market, hampering the market growth.

In addition, volatility in raw material prices affects the estimations and predictions of vendors and end-user industries, which disrupts their growth strategies. Therefore, fluctuations in raw material costs, specifically carbon steel, aluminum, and tungsten, could hinder the CNC milling machine market's growth.

Global CNC Milling Machines Market Opportunities

Increase in Automation Expenditure

The global industrial automation market is witnessing steady growth as the demand for integrated and scalable products is at an all-time high to meet rising consumer requirements. This rise is seen in highly industrialized economies and developing countries as companies look to bypass old technologies and leapfrog directly into the latest trends. Also, as traditional IT principles continue to merge with manufacturing technology, companies can harness the concept of a "digital factory," which provides a distinctive competitive advantage to companies in their respective industries.

In addition, the production paradigm is changing toward digitalization across all industries, and many businesses are acutely conscious of this. Factories can no longer afford to run at the surface level. Still, they must collect data from various sensors to measure throughput and systems required to provide real-time analysis and performance controls. This has fueled the demand for digitally advanced CNC milling machines and created opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global CNC milling machines market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global CNC milling machines market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 9.05% during the forecast period. Rising investments in the industrial sector and the constant shift toward urbanization are major macro factors propelling the market during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific dominated the market due to the region's increased use of metal-cutting methods. In addition, some of the most well-known milling machine manufacturers are headquartered in Asia-Pacific. The government's resourcefulness, such as the Government of India's "Skill India" and "Make in India" programs, is expected to drive demand for CNC milling machines in the province. Furthermore, China has a significant global and regional CNC milling machine market share. This is due to the increasing investments in fully automated industrial machinery and the year-over-year government spending on defense aircraft and equipment in the region's major economies. Since the Chinese market has significantly dependent on its manufacturing industries, the demand for CNC milling machines is high.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.54% over the forecast period. The CNC milling machine market in Europe is large and is driven by demand from key end-user industries in Germany, the UK, Italy, and France. The region's high-valued currency gives it a strong hold over industrial equipment. In addition, the region consists of pioneer countries specialized in manufacturing across different sectors. For instance, Germany is famous for superior automotive production, driving the market growth. The CNC milling machine consumable industries have significant potential and have benefitted the market in the past years, with the same expected in the long term. The region remains at the forefront of innovation regarding developing machine tool products, engineering products, and heavy industrial machinery. This, in turn, has boosted the CNC milling machine market in the region.

The massive size of end-user industries drives the demand for CNC milling machines in North America. These end-users in the region are governed by some of the most stringent standards and regulations. Further, the country is a leader in manufacturing innovations, reinforced by a well-connected and evolved electric grid, comprehensive product development emphasizing energy efficiency and sustainability, and well-connected retail and distribution networks. All such factors are expected to create favorable situations for the CNC milling machine market growth. The market for CNC milling machines in North America is expected to expand at a decent rate over the coming years, driven by rising tech adoption and rising consumer disposable income.

Brazil and Mexico are the two major revenue contributors to the Latin America CNC milling machine market. Latin American industrial production made substantial gains, especially in the automotive, electrical, and electronics sectors, driving the demand for CNC milling machines. However, countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Chile could serve as hotspots for market development throughout the forecast period owing to the growth in infrastructure and the need for sophisticated machine tools.

Significant growth opportunities exist in the Middle East and Africa, with potential markets such as Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. In 2019, it was estimated that the GCC region would generate USD 138.50 billion worth of construction contracts by the first quarter of 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, market growth remained slow. In addition, the manufacturing industry in the Middle East is witnessing a significant transformation driven by rapid technological development. The oil and gas industry contributes about 40% of the UAE's GDP. However, with declining profits, the government is shifting its focus to other sectors, such as manufacturing and transportation, thereby driving market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global CNC milling machines market is segmented by product type, axis type, and end-user.

Based on product type, the global market is bifurcated into vertical, horizontal, and universal CNC milling machines. 

The vertical CNC milling machines segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.92% over the forecast period. CNC vertical mill machines have cylindrical cutters oriented vertically on the spindle axis. Some of these machines could be controlled on up to five axes using CNC technology for the creation of unique shapes, slots, holes, and features in three-dimensional components. The vertical milling machine is a precise instrument to shape and fabricate metal work parts by removing stock. The mill may also process plastics and other materials depending on the equipment and material. Vertical milling machines produce high-quality goods in less time, allowing businesses to reduce their manufacturing costs and waste. Therefore, several end-users generate demand for vertical CNC milling machines.

CNC milling processes using horizontal milling machines are called horizontal CNC milling. The machines use horizontally oriented tooling, with spinning cylindrical cutters that could move up to five axes to form a three-dimensional part's shapes, slots, details, and holes. End milling and plain milling are both possible with this design which has increased the adoption of horizontal CNC milling machines globally. Horizontal milling machines can make heavier and deeper cuts than vertical milling machines. Horizontal mills often feature higher horsepower motors and more expansive beds, making them highly useful for heavy-duty applications. Such factors have propelled the demand for CNC horizontal milling machines.

Based on axis type, the global market is divided into 3-axis, 4-axis, and others. 

The 3-axis segment is responsible for the largest market share and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.27% over the forecast period. The 3-axis CNC milling machine, which evolved from the process of rotary filling, has cutting parts on three axes - X, Y, and Z. The workpiece remains stationary as the cutting tool moves along the three axes to mill the item in a 3-axis CNC milling machine. As 3-axis CNC milling machines work on three axes, they are extremely simple to use and allow material to be removed in the back-to-front, side-to-side, and up-and-down directions. Therefore, operating is simple and requires less experienced staff, allowing end-user firms to boost their profit margins.

The 4-axis CNC milling machines process a work item in the same way that a 3-axis machine would. However, it also includes a rotating movement along the X-axis, referred to as the A-axis. The workpiece can be sliced around the B-axis with the help of this rotation. This method plays an important role when there is a need to make holes and incisions on both sides of the material. This machining is quite versatile, and it can be used for intermittent cutting, engraving, and unrelenting cutting since it can remove material from both sides. All such factors have propelled the adoption of 4-axis CNC milling machines.

Based on end-user, the global market is segmented into automotive, electrical and electronics, aerospace and defense, and others. 

The automotive segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.40% during the forecast period. The automotive industry is among the highest contributors to the global economy and thrives in most regions. With globalization, many international players in the automotive sector are scaling up their operations and expanding their presence to benefit from favorable FDIs and other corporate-friendly policies. In addition, Europe and North America face intensified competition from producers of Asia-Pacific-based vehicles. All such factors are expected to fuel the automotive industry's demand for CNC milling machines.

Manufacturing electrical and electronic products includes semiconductors, consumer electronics, printed circuit boards, and heat sinks. The semiconductor business continues to grow as its products become increasingly important in today's technology-driven society. With the proliferation of digitalization, the electronics sector is expected to expand rapidly. This is expected to fuel the demand for machine tools, including CNC milling machines, as utmost precision is required from the industry.

Recent Developments

• September 2022- Bantam Tools, a manufacturer of desktop CNC machines, made waves at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) by introducing its new desktop  CNC machine, the Bantam Tools ExplorerTM CNC Milling Machine.

• November 2022- Hurco introduced the 3-axis CNC mill VM15Di, a compact milling machine designed to reduce cutting time. Hurco says the VM15Di (XYZ travels: 760 mm by 406 mm by 506 mm) combines productivity, technology, and value. The 3-axis machining center VM15Di decreases cutting times and heat transfer.