The parallel kinematic CNC machine tools have already entered the public since 1970. These machines have arisen from the need to produce complex tool shapes from the forming technology with such kinematics. The major advantage here was the low mass to be moved (spindle) and the resulting high performance.

However, such a machine was not available on the market at that time, which had such precision and at the same time suitable control technology. Fraunhofer decided to invent a parallel kinematic machine tool that met these requirements. The result was the 6-strut parallel kinematic machine tool MIKROMAT 6X HEXA.

The parallel kinematic CNC machine tools have already entered the public since 1970. These machines have arisen from the need to produce complex tool shapes from the forming technology with such kinematics. The major advantage here was the low mass to be moved (spindle) and the resulting high performance.

However, such a machine was not available on the market at that time, which had such precision and at the same time suitable control technology. Fraunhofer decided to invent a parallel kinematic machine tool that met these requirements. The result was the 6-strut parallel kinematic machine tool MIKROMAT 6X HEXA.

The invention of our P-Series Pentapod machines has of course its origin at Fraunhofer IWU. Dr. Michael Schwaar was employed at Fraunhofer IWU and was already involved in the development of the MIKROMAT Hexapod at that time.

Consequently, he came up with the idea of using only 5 struts instead of 6. This allows the spindle to tilt up to 90° on one side. He decided to go this way and founded his own machine tool company METROM Mechatronische Maschinen GmbH. Thus he is considered the inventor of our innovative Pentapod machines. At that time he was 5 to 10 years ahead – a high performance CNC industrial robot.

The invention of our P-Series Pentapod machines has of course its origin at Fraunhofer IWU. Dr. Michael Schwaar was employed at Fraunhofer IWU and was already involved in the development of the MIKROMAT Hexapod at that time.

Consequently, he came up with the idea of using only 5 struts instead of 6. This allows the spindle to tilt up to 90° on one side. He decided to go this way and founded his own machine tool company METROM Mechatronische Maschinen GmbH. Thus he is considered the inventor of our innovative Pentapod machines. At that time he was 5 to 10 years ahead – a high performance CNC industrial robot.

After the success of the Pentapod P-Series machining centers, a new machine series was born, which is nothing else than a simplified Pentapod CNC machine for mobile use – the PM-Series. This machine resulted from the requirement to mechanically repair a very large component. Consequently, it quickly became clear that the structure of our Pentapod machines is basically two-part. The upper part of the machine is process-determining (icosahedron hood and strut kinematics) and the lower part is process-accompanying (frame, tool changer, machine table, etc.). Thus, these two parts were structurally separated, resulting in a flexible machine that meets the high requirements of a conventional machine tool, but at the same time can mechanically machine oversized components in any position.

After the success of the Pentapod P-Series machining centers, a new machine series was born, which is nothing else than a simplified Pentapod CNC machine for mobile use – the PM-Series. This machine resulted from the requirement to mechanically repair a very large component. Consequently, it quickly became clear that the structure of our Pentapod machines is basically two-part. The upper part of the machine is process-determining (icosahedron hood and strut kinematics) and the lower part is process-accompanying (frame, tool changer, machine table, etc.). Thus, these two parts were structurally separated, resulting in a flexible machine that meets the high requirements of a conventional machine tool, but at the same time can mechanically machine oversized components in any position.

After we had built our machines in Chemnitz in an industrial hall so far, we have a new company location in the industrial area of the small village Hartmannsdorf in Saxony since 2010. A new company complex was built with a production and assembly hall, as well as engineering facilities. This location is shared with METROMs contract manufacturing of Millfax GmbH. Thus production of components and construction of our pentapod machines run under one roof. Thanks to the central location in Saxony, we are also strongly networked with other companies and research institutions from the region.

After we had built our machines in Chemnitz in an industrial hall so far, we have a new company location in the industrial area of the small village Hartmannsdorf in Saxony since 2010. A new company complex was built with a production and assembly hall, as well as engineering facilities. This location is shared with METROMs contract manufacturing of Millfax GmbH. Thus production of components and construction of our pentapod machines run under one roof. Thanks to the central location in Saxony, we are also strongly networked with other companies and research institutions from the region.

The INTEC trade fair is a trade fair for manufacturing technology and special mechanical engineering, which takes place every two years in Leipzig. We were awarded the prize in the category “Companies under 100 employees” in 2011. The reason for this was the at that time new mobile 5-axis machine PM-Series. Machining very large components mechanically with high precision in 5 axes thanks to a special measuring system was and still is unique worldwide.

The INTEC trade fair is a trade fair for manufacturing technology and special mechanical engineering, which takes place every two years in Leipzig. We were awarded the prize in the category “Companies under 100 employees” in 2011. The reason for this was the at that time new mobile 5-axis machine PM-Series. Machining very large components mechanically with high precision in 5 axes thanks to a special measuring system was and still is unique worldwide.

In 2016, Mrs. Susanne Witt the daughter of the inventor and founder of METROM took over the management. In this year Mrs. Susanne Witt and METROM decided to take a new direction as a machine tool builder of milling machines – additive manufacturing. Thus began a new great challenge for our Pentapods.

In 2016, Mrs. Susanne Witt the daughter of the inventor and founder of METROM took over the management. In this year Mrs. Susanne Witt and METROM decided to take a new direction as a machine tool builder of milling machines – additive manufacturing. Thus began a new great challenge for our Pentapods.

The integration of additive manufacturing in our pentapod machines quickly got reputation and was awarded in 2019. For this, the SEAM (Screw Extrusion Additive Manufacturing) 3D printing tool developed by Fraunhofer IWU was mechanically adapted to our machine spindle, enabling 3D printing of large components with our 5-axis machines. This made us one of the first machine tool builders in the world to be able to manufacture additively and subtractively in one machine.

The integration of additive manufacturing in our pentapod machines quickly got reputation and was awarded in 2019. For this, the SEAM (Screw Extrusion Additive Manufacturing) 3D printing tool developed by Fraunhofer IWU was mechanically adapted to our machine spindle, enabling 3D printing of large components with our 5-axis machines. This made us one of the first machine tool builders in the world to be able to manufacture additively and subtractively in one machine.

We celebrated 20 years of successful company history. METROM has proven during these many years that the inventor and founder Dr. Michael Schwaar with the Pentapod machines has very well a right to exist in the large machine tool industry. Thanks to the young management of Susanne Witt, the vision is carried on and adapted to the new times and the requirements of technology. We have new and big goals which are today a vision but tomorrow reality.

We celebrated 20 years of successful company history. METROM has proven during these many years that the inventor and founder Dr. Michael Schwaar with the Pentapod machines has very well a right to exist in the large machine tool industry. Thanks to the young management of Susanne Witt, the vision is carried on and adapted to the new times and the requirements of technology. We have new and big goals which are today a vision but tomorrow reality.