What 5th Axis does

5th Axis, Inc. is a San Diego-based precision workholding and contract manufacturing company founded in 2005 by mechanical engineers Steve Grangetto and Chris Taylor. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures modular CNC workholding solutions — vises, fixtures, tombstones, and automation hardware — anchored by its patented RockLock™ 4-pull-stud quick-change system that achieves repeatability under 8 microns and reduces setup times by 80-95%. Product lines include the X-Series self-centering vises, double-station vises, LiteVise™ aluminum automation vises, dovetail fixtures and cutters, multi-face tombstones, and complete automation hardware (pneumatic chucks, grippers, rack and shelf kits, pull studs), with 500+ SKUs across 52mm and 96mm pull-stud spacing standards.

The company serves aerospace and defense manufacturers (including NASA, Raytheon, and General Atomics), medical device manufacturers, electronics manufacturers, and independent CNC job shops requiring certified, repeatable precision workholding. Manufacturing is conducted at an 80,000 sq ft facility in San Diego operating under ISO 13485:2016, AS9100 Rev. D, ISO 9001:2015, and ITAR registrations, supporting both proprietary product output and contract CNC machining, EDM, and NADCAP-certified secondary processes (paint, nickel plating, anodizing, chem filming, passivation).

Revenue is generated through three streams: direct product sales via the 5thaxis.com e-commerce storefront (with a 3D product configurator and quote-request system), US and Canadian factory-support representatives who provide technical guidance and connect customers to authorized distributors, and a channel network that includes international agents such as Grip-Tec for UK/Ireland. Complementary partnerships with Kojex, Hainbuch, and Tschorn extend the offering into clamping, toolholding, and metrology. The company employs 220 people, has served 200K+ customers worldwide, and operates with no disclosed external funding or parent company.

Name

5th Axis

Legal name

5th Axis, Inc.

Website

https://5thaxis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

5th Axis is a San Diego-based precision manufacturer founded in 2005 that designs patented modular CNC workholding solutions — including the RockLock™ quick-change system, self-centering vises, tombstones, and automation hardware — serving aerospace, medical, defense, and electronics manufacturers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CNC Workholding Equipment

NAICS

Machine Shops (33271)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)

Keywords

• CNC workholding solutions
• Quick-change fixturing
• Precision machine vises
• CNC automation hardware
• Modular workholding systems

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Direct sales of workholding equipment including vises, RockLock bases, top tooling, tombstones, dovetail fixtures, automation components, and accessories through e-commerce website and factory sales team. Products range from $7.00 (locating pins) to $7,995 (large tombstones).
2. Contract Manufacturing Services: American precision machine shop providing production machining services for industries across the globe. Services include 3, 4, 5-axis CNC machining, turning, EDM manufacturing, and NADCAP certified secondary processes (paint, nickel plating, anodizing, black oxide, chem filming, passivation).
3. Technical Support Services: Factory support representatives provide technical support, custom workholding solutions, and integration guidance. Contact information provided for warranty, technical support, and sales inquiries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

5th Axis manufactures and sells precision CNC workholding solutions including patented RockLock quick-change base systems, self-centering vises (X-Series and LiteVise), dovetail fixtures, tombstones, and automation hardware designed for 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC machining centers. The company also operates a NADCAP-certified American precision machine shop offering contract manufacturing services (CNC machining, turning, EDM, and secondary processes) for aerospace, medical, defense, and electronics customers.

Product overview

5th Axis is a precision workholding and automation solutions manufacturer offering a unified portfolio centered on the patented RockLock™ quick-change system. The core product line includes self-centering vises (X-Series in compact, medium, and large sizes), double station vises for multi-part machining, LiteVise™ lightweight aluminum vises for automation, and modular tombstones in various sizes. The RockLock™ system serves as the unifying platform, with supporting add-on modules including bases, adapters, risers, top tooling setups, and dovetail fixtures. Complete automation hardware encompasses pneumatic chucks, grippers, pull studs, and rack/shelf kits for lights-out manufacturing. A 3D product configurator tool enables customers to find compatible solutions for their specific CNC machines. All products feature industry-standard 52mm and 96mm pull stud spacing for compatibility with competitive systems. Products are manufactured in San Diego, CA with ISO 13485, AS9100, and ISO 9001 certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RockLock™: Patented quick-change system featuring 4 pull stud design with 52mm or 96mm spacing for rapid vise and fixture changeovers with repeatability under 0.0003 inches.
• LiteVise™
• X-Series
• Deuce

Products and services

• RockLock Quick-Change System Patented 4-pull-stud zero-point quick-change system enabling rapid vise and fixture swaps on CNC machines with repeatability under 0.0003 inches (8 microns). Features industry-standard 52mm and 96mm pull stud spacing for compatibility with competitive systems from Lang, Jergens, Gerardi, Schunk, and Gressel. Reduces setup times by 80-95%.
• Self-Centering Vises (X-Series) Precision self-centering CNC machine vises with patented dual-lead screw mechanism. Available in compact (V75100X at $899), medium (V562X at $949), and large (V510X at $1,499) sizes. Features 30% increased clamping force over original designs and a 4-bolt jaw mounting system that reduces jaw deflection while allowing reversible/quick-change configurations.
• Double Station Vises (Deuce) 3-axis double-station CNC machine vises (DV75150X, DV56, DV510) with two independent clamping stations that enable simultaneous machining of multiple parts, effectively doubling output without sacrificing precision. Priced from $849 to $1,499 depending on jaw configuration.
• LiteVise Lightweight aluminum-alloy vise designed specifically for automation. 50-70% lighter than traditional steel vises while delivering 22.2 kN (5,000 lbs) of clamping force. Compatible with 96mm RockLock system and features integrated 45-degree dovetail quick-change jaws. Available as VA56 ($729), VA513 ($799), and VA518 ($999).
• Tombstones Multi-sided modular tombstone fixtures for horizontal machining centers, available in under-300mm, 300mm, 400mm, and 500mm sizes and in aluminum or cast iron. Feature RockLock quick-change patterns for rapid tooling swaps. 400mm cast iron 4-face tombstone priced at $7,995.
• Automation Systems Complete automation hardware for lights-out manufacturing, including pneumatic chucks, Schunk-body grippers (12kg and 25kg options), pull studs, rack and shelf kits ($4,900), and low-profile cleats. Designed to enable 24/7 robotic loading on CNC machines.
• Dovetail Fixtures and Cutters 45-degree dovetail workholding fixtures and indexable dovetail cutters that provide compact workholding with high repeatability. The 45-degree dovetail angle provides equal in-and-down force for stable clamping with minimal torque, spreading clamping force evenly and reducing part deformation.
• Contract Manufacturing Services American precision machine shop providing production machining services for industries across the globe. Services include 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC machining, turning, EDM manufacturing, and NADCAP-certified secondary processes (paint, nickel plating, anodizing, black oxide, chem filming, passivation). ISO 13485, AS9100, and ISO 9001 certified with ITAR registration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Setup time reduction of 80-95% with RockLock™ quick-change system
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Grip-TeccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrip-Tec is the official UK and Ireland agent for 5th Axis workholding systems. They represent the full portfolio of modular CNC solutions including quick-change bases, self-centering vices, and automation-ready systems. Grip-Tec provides collaborative technical support and flexible workholding configurations for manufacturers in the UK and Ireland region.
• KojexsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established to provide manufacturers with integrated clamping technologies for modern machining centres, complementing 5th Axis workholding solutions.
• HainbuchsupportingTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership to provide manufacturers with integrated toolholding technologies that complement 5th Axis workholding solutions for modern machining centres.
• TschornsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to provide manufacturers with integrated measuring technologies that complement 5th Axis workholding solutions for modern machining centres.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schunk: German-headquartered global leader in clamping technology and workholding, including zero-point systems, vises, and automation gripping. Directly competes with 5th Axis in quick-change workholding and is cited as one of the systems RockLock™ interoperates with.
• Carr Lane Manufacturing: US manufacturer of tooling components, workholding, and fixturing products for CNC machining and manufacturing. Direct competitor in the North American workholding and fixture components market.
• Jergens: US-based manufacturer of workholding, fixturing, and lifting solutions with a strong quick-change/zero-point product line. Direct competitor in North America, named in 5th Axis's interoperability claims as a compatible system.
• Gerardi: Italian manufacturer of precision vises, zero-point clamping systems, and modular workholding for CNC machining centers. Direct competitor in the European and global workholding market, also referenced as interoperable with 5th Axis.
• Allmatic: German manufacturer of zero-point clamping systems, vises, and automation workholding. Direct competitor in quick-change workholding, particularly for robotic and automated CNC loading applications.
• Gressel: Swiss precision clamping and workholding specialist serving high-end CNC machining and 5-axis applications. Direct competitor in the European premium workholding segment and named as interoperable with RockLock™ pull stud spacing.
• Mitee-Bite: US-based workholding specialist focused on low-profile clamping, toe clamps, and fixtures for CNC machining. Direct peer in the US workholding market targeting similar job shop and production customers.
• Lang Technik: German precision workholding manufacturer specializing in quick-point clamping systems, vises, and Tombstone fixtures for 5-axis CNC machining. Closest direct competitor to RockLock™ quick-change architecture and explicitly named as interoperable with 5th Axis.

Emerging players

• Hainbuch: German specialist in stationary and rotating workholding, including mandrels, chucks, and clamping devices. Strategic technology/integration partner of 5th Axis and adjacent competitor in precision clamping.

Broad incumbents

• Kitagawa: Japanese industrial group with a broad workholding and chucking portfolio including vises and automation-ready clamping. A larger established player with overlapping capabilities though not specializing solely in CNC quick-change.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fifthaxis

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 5th Axis