A one-day showcase with a clear agenda

The promise to visitors is direct. The show aims to demonstrate how manufacturers can increase their productivity, improve their process efficiencies, and maintain their competitive edge. The event focuses on one-hit machining, emphasizing the elimination of setups and handlings to enhance productivity and process efficiency.

The headline machine

The centerpiece of the event will be the formal introduction of the Heller HF 5500 FLEX horizontal simultaneous 5-axis mill-turn machine to UK and Irish component manufacturers. Mills CNC is positioning the Innovation Day as the ideal hi-tech venue for this debut.

The machine's designation highlights its capabilities: a horizontal platform combining simultaneous 5-axis milling with turning capability. For manufacturers embracing the one-hit machining philosophy, a mill-turn of this class is a key focus, enabling complete part processing in a single clamping to achieve productivity and process efficiency gains.

Why it matters

For UK and Irish component manufacturers, the event offers a first formal look at the Heller HF 5500 FLEX alongside a broader programme covering multi-tasking machine tools and integrated automation. Mills CNC is framing the day not as a product launch alone, but as a demonstration of how these technologies combine to keep manufacturers competitive.

The event provides a unique opportunity to see the HF 5500 FLEX in action, machining a high-precision aerospace blisk, and to learn more about its strengths through live presentations by Heller technical representatives.

Other highlights

While the Heller HF 5500 FLEX will be a major focus, ten DN Solutions’ machine tools will also be showcased at the event. These include two DVF 4000 simultaneous 5-axis centres, two DN Solutions mill-turn machines (an SMX 3100 and a DNX 2100S), a large-capacity V8300M vertical turning lathe with driven tooling capabilities, and a NHP 5000 horizontal machine integrated with a linear pallet system.

Mills is also using the event to showcase its latest automation systems. The company's innovative T-series, designed for High-Mix/Low-Volume production, can be integrated with CNC lathes, machining centres, and mill-turn machines to create flexible, high-productivity automated manufacturing cells capable of lights-out, unattended operation.

“Our Innovation Day, best-practice event is focused on one-hit machining and is aimed at UK and Irish component manufacturers who, owing to older and less capable machine tools and/or outdated and labour intensive processes, may be struggling to improve their productivity and maintain their competitive edge.

“Although one-hit machining is not a new concept, the continuous development of new machine tools capable of delivering single set-up machining means that the one-hit machining landscape is constantly changing and improving.

“Our Innovation Day event provides a unique opportunity for visitors to check out the very latest DN Solutions and Heller multi-tasking machines, and to see how they can revolutionise their productivity and help them realise their true potential.”

Tony Dale, Group CEO at Mills CNC

[You can register for Mills CNC’s Innovation Day on Thursday 8th October 2026 here.](https://www.millscnc.co.uk/registration-form/)