Forest-Liné spindle and motor spindle repair
Brochexpress is an independent workshop specializing in the repair, maintenance and diagnostics of Forest-Liné spindles and motor spindles — a French pioneer of high-speed machining on gantry milling machines, historically dedicated to the aerospace industry.
Forest-Liné, French pioneer of high-speed machining
TLDR: Forest-Liné (sites in Albert in the Somme and Capdenac in the Aveyron, part of the Fives Machining group since 2013) designs large gantry milling machines, pioneers of high-speed machining (HSM) for the aerospace, automotive and rail industries.
Born of the historic merger between Forest-Liné and Henri Liné Machines Outils, the manufacturer relies on two French sites — Albert in the Somme and Capdenac in the Aveyron, the latter founded in 1950 by Ratier-Figeac — as well as a site in Quebec. Part of the Fives Machining group since 2013, Forest-Liné designs bespoke machines, at a rate of eight to twelve units a year at the Capdenac site alone, for high-speed machining of aerospace structures. The manufacturer is notably renowned for its linear-motor gantry milling machines (Linear Minumac range), its high-speed machines (Aerostar, V-Star) and its conventional gantry milling machines with mechanical spindles (Seramill, Flexiax, TC7, Modumill), with automatic changing of the machining heads on the most elaborate configurations.
A range of heads and spindles, from heavy mechanical work to high speed
TLDR: Forest-Liné fits its machines with mechanical two-speed-range heads for heavy machining (ISO 50 taper, up to 32 kW) as well as HSM heads, some of them twin-spindle, for the fast finishing of aerospace parts in light alloys.
Legacy Forest-Liné gantry milling machines, such as the Seramill or the ISO 50 taper models, are fitted with mechanical automatic range-changing heads, sized for the heavy machining of massive metal structures, with power ratings of up to 32 kW. More recent machines, including the V-Star, integrate HSM heads that may feature two spindles to cover a broader range of applications — machining, trimming and precision drilling — across a wide range of materials, with a particular emphasis on aluminium and aerospace composites. On the most advanced configurations, a robotised system for automatic changing of the machining heads allows several types of spindle to coexist on the same machine according to the operation to be carried out.
Forest-Liné heads and spindles covered (non-exhaustive list)
- Mechanical two-speed-range heads, ISO 50 taper, heavy machining
- Single-spindle HSM heads for high-speed finishing
- Twin-spindle HSM heads, V-Star range
- Spindles of linear-motor gantry milling machines, Linear Minumac range
- Interchangeable machining heads on a robotised automatic-changing system
Interfaces and specifications
The Forest-Liné heads and spindles we repair come mainly with an ISO 50 interface on heavy-machining machines, with mechanical speed ranges typically from 0 to 3,000 rpm on these configurations, and significantly higher speeds on the HSM heads dedicated to high-speed finishing — to be confirmed case by case according to the exact model of your machine.
Our expertise on your Forest-Liné spindles and motor spindles
Brochexpress works across the entire life cycle of your Forest-Liné heads and spindles, with the same rigour as on the other brands in our portfolio.
On-site customer service
- Diagnostics and service directly on your machine, in your production workshop, to limit downtime linked to the removal/transport of a large head or spindle
Full diagnostics
- Inspection of clearances, balancing, bearing condition, sealing and the mechanical range-changing systems, with a detailed technical report
Preventive and corrective maintenance
- A servicing programme tailored to heavy-machining rates as well as HSM speeds, along with corrective work in the event of a breakdown
Overhaul and refurbishment
- Grinding, bearing replacement, reworking of the sealing and workshop rotation testing, restoring the manufacturer's original tolerances
Why choose Brochexpress for your Forest-Liné spindles and motor spindles
No capital ties with manufacturers, guaranteeing an objective diagnosis
Heavy mechanical heads as well as single and twin-spindle HSM configurations
Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland)
From the first intervention through to return to production
Lead times and warranty
- On-site service within 48h
- Workshop repair: around 20 working days depending on parts availability
- 12-month warranty on all our repairs
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair the twin-spindle heads of V-Star machines?
Yes, we work on the single and twin-spindle high-speed heads fitted to Forest-Liné machines, including the most recent configurations.
Do you work on heavy mechanical two-speed-range heads with an ISO 50 taper?
Yes, we diagnose and repair these heads, whether on legacy machines (Seramill, TC7) or refurbished configurations.
What is the average lead time for a full overhaul?
Allow around 20 working days in the workshop, depending on the condition of the spindle and the availability of parts (bearings, seals, specific components).
Do you work directly on site for large heads?
Yes, our team travels to diagnose and, where possible, work directly on site to avoid the complete removal of bulky and heavy heads.
Do you offer a preventive maintenance contract for a fleet of Forest-Liné machines?
Yes, we set up preventive maintenance programmes tailored to your production rate, particularly relevant for aerospace subcontracting workshops.
A reliable partner for your industrial performance
Whether it is an emergency on-site intervention, a full workshop overhaul or a preventive maintenance programme, Brochexpress brings its expertise to your production. As an independent workshop, we work across the entire Forest-Liné range — milling heads and motor spindles for large machines — with the responsiveness and rigour demanded by the most exacting industrial environments: aerospace, automotive and rail.
Our teams are at your disposal from our sites in Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland) for a study of your needs, a diagnosis or a personalised quotation.
Request a quoteRelated services
Forest-Liné® is a registered trademark of Fives Machining. Brochexpress is neither affiliated with, nor a partner of, nor an authorised distributor of Fives Machining. Our business covers independent repair and maintenance of industrial equipment, permitted under the principle of referential trademark use (EU Trademark Directive 2015/2436 / French Intellectual Property Code, art. L.713-6).