In a modern stonemasonry workshop, the 5-axis machine has become the central tool. It allows for continuous cutting at any angle, profiling of complex shapes, and the automation of operations that once required multiple machines and extensive manual handling. Since 1959, THIBAUT has been designing and manufacturing these high-precision machines in France for professionals in the stone, marble, granite, quartz, and ceramic industries.

What is a 5-Axis Stone Machine?

A 5-axis machine is a machining center or a bridge saw where the cutting head can move along 5 independent axes of rotation and translation. Unlike a conventional 3-axis machine, it can approach the material from any angle without moving the slab, offering three decisive advantages:

• Maximum Precision: Each cut is performed in the optimal configuration without manual repositioning.
• Total Versatility: Straight cuts, miter cuts, profiling, contouring, drilling, and brushing — all in a single cycle.
• Increased Productivity: Handling times drop drastically, and repeatability is flawless.

For stonemasons, this versatility is key: a single machine can switch from a kitchen countertop to a funerary monument or a piece of urban furniture within the same day.

THIBAUT 5-Axis Machines: Application Fields

Interior Decoration and Design

Countertops, sinks, basins, patterned flooring, wall cladding, and stairs — decorative applications demand both high dimensional precision and impeccable finishes. THIBAUT 5-axis machining centers (T800 range) meet these requirements with spindles reaching up to 10,000 rpm and tool magazines holding up to 135 positions.

Monuments

Funerary masonry requires complex shapes — headstones, monuments, medallions, and sculptures — often crafted from granite or hard marble. The TC625 and TC725 bridge saws allow for automatic continuous cutting in all directions, ideal for monument series with repeatable geometries.

Urban Furniture and Architectural Concrete

Large-scale elements — fountains, benches, curbs, and special paving stones — require powerful machines capable of processing thick and heavy pieces. The THIBAUT TC1600, with its 61 kW spindle and capacity for thicknesses up to 650 mm, is specifically designed for these applications.

How to Choose Your 5-Axis Machine: Essential Criteria

• Maximum Workpiece Size: This determines the track length and axis travel.
• Maximum Material Thickness: From 250 mm for decoration up to 650 mm for urban furniture.
• Spindle Power: From 13 kW for soft marble to over 60 kW for solid granite.
• Tool Magazine Capacity: The larger it is, the more the machine can operate autonomously.
• Connectivity and Remote Maintenance: THIBAUT equips its machines with an internet connection and firewall, allowing for rapid remote diagnosis and intervention.
• Programming Software: THIBAUT’s PILOT interface is renowned for its intuitive handling, even for beginner operators.

The THIBAUT 5-Axis Range: A Machine for Every Workshop

THIBAUT offers several families of 5-axis machines tailored to different workshop profiles:

• TC625: A 5-axis bridge saw ideal for decoration and funerary work, featuring an A-axis tilt from 0° to 90° and a C-axis rotation of ±200°. Spindle power: 13.2 kW.
• TC725 & TC725 AUTO: A 5-axis cutting center for thicknesses up to 250 mm. The AUTO version includes an automatic tool changer for greater autonomy.
• TC725 TOPS: A version featuring the Thibaut Optimized Processing Solution (automatic workpiece transfer system) for mass production.
• TC1600: The benchmark for urban furniture and thick stone blocks. 61 kW spindle, head tiltable up to 100°, available in various track lengths up to 16.38 m.
• T858 V2: A 5-axis interpolated machining center for architectural concrete, with integrated T’CAD T’CAM 3D software.

THIBAUT: The Choice of French Expertise

Based in Vire, Normandy, since 1959, THIBAUT is one of the few European manufacturers to design, manufacture, and assemble all its machines in France. This results in incomparable after-sales responsiveness, in-stock spare parts, and personalized support from design through to operator training. Every machine is tested at the Vire technical center before delivery.

Hundreds of stonemasons and stone industrials, both in France and abroad, have trusted THIBAUT machines for decades — some loyal customers have acquired more than fifteen machines throughout their careers.

What is the Budget for a 5-Axis Machine?

Investing in a 5-axis machining center generally exceeds €100,000 for a new machine. For workshops looking to access this technology on a tighter budget, THIBAUT also offers a market for certified pre-owned machines, sometimes retrofitted with new spindles, starting from €70,000.

A THIBAUT sales representative can assist you in calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) based on your current production and growth objectives.

Interested in discovering THIBAUT 5-axis machines? Contact our sales team.