Your questions, answered

Since we started talking about Taikan machines, we've been asked a lot of good questions. Most of them boil down to one: can a Chinese-built machine really do the job? Here are honest answers, from someone who runs one every day.

Can't see your question? Ask Ben directly: 02 9135 0151 or contact@caerix-pacific.com

Ben Kitcher in front of the electrical cabinet of a Taikan T-V856S

The machines

Mitsubishi CNC control screen on a Taikan T-V856S running a program

  • It's a fair question, and I asked it too. My own view changed the same way it has for a lot of people with Chinese cars: sceptical, then surprised, then convinced on value. Taikan builds machining centres at very high volume, and its 856-series machines have passed 40,000 units sold. I bought a T-V856S for my own workshop and run it every day before recommending one to anyone.

  • In China and Vietnam, by Taikan (part of Create Century). We don't hide that. The machines we supply for Australia and NZ are specified for local safety requirements, including electrical door interlocks.

  • The T-V856S runs a Mitsubishi M80 control, a widely used Japanese CNC that's familiar to many Australian programmers and supported by standard CAM posts (we use Fusion's stock Mitsubishi M80 post on our own machine). Ask us about control options for other models.

  • On paper, very closely for the same size class: cast-iron construction, linear guides, direct-coupled spindles and arm-type tool changers. The difference is mostly price. See the full specs on each machine page.

  • Name-brand components you'll recognise. On our T-V856S that means a Mitsubishi Electric control and servo/spindle drives, Schneider Electric breakers and contactors, and Omron safety relays. Open the cabinet when you visit and have a look.

  • Yes. There's a T-V856S cutting at our demo site in Lawson, in the Blue Mountains. Book a visit or a live video demo.

Mitsubishi Electric servo and spindle drive inside a Taikan VMC cabinet

Buying

Inside the electrical cabinet of a Taikan T-V856S

  • Prices are on application for now, because freight, options and installation vary by job. Tell us what you're making and we'll come back with a full delivered and installed price, with no surprises later.

  • Machines are built to order and shipped to Australia, so allow for build time plus sea freight and customs clearance. We'll give you a firm date with your quote. We're also bringing in stock machines, so ask what's available now.

  • Yes. We work with an equipment finance partner, and finance offers are coming soon. Ask us for an estimate alongside your quote.

  • Not at this stage. We focus on new Taikan machines, installed and supported properly.

  • That's the best place to start. Book a 30-minute consult, tell us what you make and in what material, and we'll recommend a machine. If a Taikan isn't the right fit for your work, we'll tell you.

Install, safety and support

Omron G7S safety relays and Schneider circuit breakers in a Taikan machine cabinet

  • We assess every machine against Australian machine safety requirements and commission it to AS/NZS 4024. That covers things like electrical door interlocks and safe handwheel use with the door open. Where a machine needs changes to meet our standard, we make them before handover. We don't bypass safety systems.

  • We do. We coordinate delivery to your site, level the machine on your floor, commission it, run a ballbar test and hand you the report. We also show your team how to run it safely before we leave.

  • You call us, not an overseas help desk. We work directly with Taikan's engineers when needed.

  • Warranty is handled locally through us. We source spares through Taikan and are building up a local stock of common parts.

  • Yes. We fit and configure touch probes and tool setters, and help you get probing cycles running, so set-up is faster and parts are more consistent.

Is it right for my work?

  • Job shops, toolrooms, product makers and manufacturers who want serious capability without paying top-tier prices. They suit a first CNC machine, a second spindle to add capacity, or bringing outsourced work back in-house.

  • No. China controls exports of high-precision machine tools under its dual-use export control list (item 2B201). For milling machines, that covers positioning accuracy better than 6 µm (measured to ISO 230-2), two or more contouring rotary axes, or five-axis simultaneous control. For lathes, it covers accuracy better than 6 µm on parts over 35 mm diameter. Controlled machines need a Chinese export licence. On top of that, our machines are bought with a signed end-use declaration that excludes military use. So they're not the right choice for defence contracts. Many shops use a machine like this to build skills, capacity and cash flow before investing in a platform approved for defence work.

  • Caerix Pacific is an authorised Taikan dealer for Australia and New Zealand, based in Lawson, NSW. It's run by Ben Kitcher, who spent 20 years in manufacturing innovation, including six years establishing the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF).

Still have a question?

Book a 30-minute consult, by phone, video or at the demo machine in Lawson. No hard sell.

BOOK A CONSULT