About
TARUS

For over 50 years, TARUS enables companies who develop complex shapes and form for manufactured goods achieve their goals. Our company history has been marked by a series of pioneering machine and software innovations that have propelled our growth.

TARUS is one of the few manufacturers of high-precision, large volume 5-axis CNC machines in America. Our machines are legendary for their durability and toughness. A wide number of TARUS machines are running after almost 50 years of daily use. We build machines that will last for generations.

Historically, TARUS machines were built almost completely in-house starting from raw metal billets and steel plates to developing our own CNC controls, electronics, heads & spindles, and in-house software. Even today, TARUS machines are used in the production of TARUS machines.

When we build machines that are meant to last for generations, it starts with a strong, robust design build. Greater structural integrity means a more rigid machine, directly translating into an outstanding surface finish. A stronger, more robust structure also means higher performance. TARUS machines can handle a larger milling head, more powerful components, and faster speeds.

In mold and die, our machines achieve the highest level of performance and automation. TARUS 5-axis mills now feature the best available CNC from Heidenhain and Siemens, with German, Swiss or Italian supplied milling heads and spindles.

In aerospace, TARUS 5-axis mills are used for the manufacture of layup tools for composite components, large drilling and assembly fixtures, and milling aluminum aerostructure components.

A pioneer in gun drilling, TARUS machines are used across industries including molds for plastic, diecast dies, and tube sheets for heat exchangers, process equipment and power generation.

In automotive, TARUS machines are utilized throughout the entire process of automobile design, body development, tooling, and manufactured component inspection.

TARUS invented the claymill and remains the preeminent global leader with cutting-edge clay milling machines and comprehensive car design studio solutions. Roughly half of the passenger vehicles driving on North American roads today got their final shape and design on a TARUS claymill. TARUS currently builds the largest variety of claymills with the greatest performance, capability, and reliability available. Our comprehensive suite of car design studio solutions and accessories will complement the most demanding requirements.

With a history of innovation, TARUS CMM are widely used by automotive, aerospace tooling & gauge manufacturers. In addition to the TARUS CMM software package, we now also offer open-source digital CMM controls including Renishaw and Pantec.

After being frustrated with numerous ERP platforms that didn't fit the needs of complex manufacturing, TARUS spent millions of dollars developing its own ERP platform - the first ERP built by Manufacturers for Manufacturers. VERAX ERP is the backbone of TARUS operations and profitability and enjoys growing adoption at various companies.

The TARUS service department services TARUS machines as well as many other CNC machines. Our technicians and engineers have performed installations, upgrades, retrofits, preventive maintenance, calibrations, and repair throughout North America, Europe, East Asia, India, South America, and Australia.

1969 - 2024 A Detailed
History

In celebration of 55 years in business, TARUS produced a video of our timeline below, highlighting our accomplishments and innovations.

Company Innovation
Timeline

  • 2021-12-10

    TARUS Founded - 1969

    TARUS Products, Inc. was established in 1969 by Douglas J Greig in his Warren MI garage, building EDM servo controllers. It was one of the first electronic systems to automate control cycles of EDM electrode ram.

    1969 TARUS company photo

  • 2021-12-10

    1971

    TARUS continues upgrading EDM controls and power supplies for EDM retrofits, bringing generations of older machines into current performance specs. Success with EDM control and retrofits allows expansion into a dedicated factory manufacturing complete EDM machines for mold makers. 

    1971 TARUS company photo

  • 2021-12-10

    1974

    TARUS builds larger, more complex EDM Machines and Power Supplies for Mold Makers.  This Dual Head EDM Machine and Power Supply System could accurately sink with two electrodes simultaneously.

    1974 TARUS EDM DUAL HEAD

  • 2021-12-10

    1976

    TARUS was the first company to create purpose-built deephole drilling (gundrilling) machines for mold makers. TARUS produces special gundrilling machines for drilling tube sheets and other models for drilling large rock boring bits. Being so well built, many operate today with retrofits and upgrades.

    1976 TARUS Gundrill

  • 2021-12-10

    1979

    TARUS revolutionized mold making by mass producing a modern, affordable copy milling machine called the TARUS Duplicator that was widely adopted in the industry. With retrofits and upgrades, many remain in use today.

    1979 TARUS DUPLICATOR

  • 2021-12-10

    1980

    TARUS developed its own CNC with TARUS tracer and tracer control integrated into the newly developed TARUS CNC. 

  • 2021-12-10

    1980

    TARUS CNC milling machines were sold to automobile mold, die, model and pattern shops throughout the Wisconsin to Toronto corridor, being the center of the automotive tooling industry in the western hemisphere. Being so well built, many operate today with retrofits and upgrades.

    1980 TARUS DUPLICATOR

  • 2021-12-10

    1980

    Originally, TARUS software developers would write code in Assembler in consultation with application engineers, which was an arduous process.

    Software developers usually didn't fully understand machine applications, so a lot was squandered in this ineffective and time-consuming process.

    TARUS developed a user-friendly programming utility called SPUD (Special Programming Utility for Doug), which changed everything. SPUD put a front-end code editor in the hands of TARUS employees who best understood actual machine applications.

    SPUD unlocked creativity and saved time unleashing features on TARUS machines that were previously impossible. SPUD put TARUS at the forefront of machine capability and efficiency, giving it a distinct market advantage.

  • 2021-12-10

    1981

    TARUS introduces the TPI 8100 CNC which introduced a GUI two years before Apple introduced a GUI. This put us light years ahead of the competition:

    -High speed contour milling for mold and die makers
    -Special version for gun drilling machines
    -3D graphics with trackball user interface
    -3D scanning with the new TARUS racer
    -Scanning of 2D drawings which when combined would produce 3D wire frame
    -Multiple presets, scaling, mirror, swap planes
    -Built in hard drives
    -Floppy drive storage and data transfer
    -Serial link data transfer

    1981 TARUS TPI 8100 CNC

  • 2021-12-10

    1982

    Based on the success of TARUS CNC machines, TARUS began building computer servo-driven coordinate measuring machines (CMM) which share a GUI, allowing for seamless data exchange and user friendliness. The majority of automobile body development in North America utilized TARUS CMMs for building fixtures and body-in-white.

    1984 TARUS CMM

  • 2021-12-10

    1983

    TARUS develops its 3rd generation CNC with GUI, the 8300 CNC and SENTAR.

    It would be difficult to overstate the impact SENTAR had on North American OEMs and their automotive supply base in moving them towards true digitization – many years before other industries embraced computers for data interchange and data translation.

    The 8300 CNC featured better graphics measuring software for CMM and calibration software for CMM and CNC machine tools. File import and export features enabled TARUS to sell these controls as stand alone desks called SENTAR.

    SENTAR was used to create CAM tool paths and import, export, translate and manipulate point and surface data from the numerous CAD and CAM systems in use at the time.

    SENTAR was equipped with a variety of data transfer and storage media such as reel to reel tape, 10” floppies, 5” floppy and various cassette tape formats.

    SENTAR was pivotal to the Auto Industry in Metro Detroit because, for the first time, virtually all tool and fixture makers had a computerized tool to translate and transfer data between each other, their customers, and the OEMs they served.

  • 2021-12-10

    1984

    General Motors collaborates with TARUS to develop a portable clay milling machine - the first ever purpose-built industrial claymilling machine in the world.

    GM brings the TARUS Claymill to the Waldorf-Astoria for their annual shareholder meeting and GM’s “Teamwork and Technology for Today and Tomorrow” event – still the largest display of GM technology in company history. The Claymill is also featured at Disney’s EPCOT Center for its futuristic capability from the late 1980s through the early 1990s.

    TARUS Claymills are quickly adopted industry-wide at Chrysler, Ford, ASC, Cars and Concepts, Modern Engineering, Pioneer and Aero Detroit, among several other early adopters. The TARUS name became synonymous with clay modeling. Generations of automotive sculptors referred to clay milling CNC machines as a ‘TARUS’ or ‘Claymill’.

    TARUS creates a new category in the machine tool industry and forever changes transportation design.

    For more details on this monumental industry shift, click here to learn about the origin and history of the Claymill.

    1984 TARUS CLAYMILL

  • 2021-12-10

    1986

    TARUS began building its mighty roughing mills, first as copy milling machines and later as the RDUC heavy duty CNC machines.  At half the cost of European alternatives, with similar or better performance and superior local service, they became wildly popular with many still in use today.

    1986 TARUS Roughing Mill RDUC Paragon Die

  • 2021-12-10

    1987

    A large CMM customer base stretched the capacity of TARUS metrology department. TARUS developed a fully automatic calibration utility to streamline the process.

    This software automatically drove the machine's axes as needed for the laser interferometer to measure the machine's mechanical and geometrical error and then applied error mapping compensation. To verify and further improve the volumetric accuracy of the machine, a B89 test using a lab certified ball bar and the machine's measuring probe was performed.

    Finally, a CMM calibration report was generated without manual data entry. TARUS then added this capability to our CNC control to calibrate other TARUS milling machines, improving their accuracy.

  • 2021-12-10

    1987

    TARUS builds large dual column 5-axis claymilling machines for several of the local engineering and design companies for milling and scanning full scale clay and foam models for the American car and heavy truck design studios.

    1987 TARUS 5 Axis Claymill Dual Column

  • 2021-12-10

    1989

    Reflecting an industry shift, TARUS began building larger 5-axis bridge and gantry milling machines for mold, pattern and model makers using internally built milling heads and spindles. 

    1989 TARUS 5 Axis Gantry

  • 2021-12-10

    1990

    TARUS developed one of the first carbon fiber composite measuring arms in-house for its CMM and MSM clay milling machines. A lighter more sturdy arm allowed for larger CMM volume. Lower expansion coefficient and better thermal stability of the measuring arm provides substantial improvement of machine accuracy.

    1990 TARUS CMM Carbon Composite Measuring Arm

  • 2021-12-10

    1991

    TARUS integrates laser scanners into TARUS CNC, CMM, and Claymill machines allowing for rapid digitizing and inspection of 3D surfaces.

  • 2021-12-10

    1996

    TARUS introduced a bridge CMM with beams for the X, Y and Z axes fully constructed of carbon fiber composite material. Very large CMM volumes were achieved at lower cost.

    1996 TARUS Bridge CMM

  • 2021-12-10

    2001

    TARUS began building 5-axis horizontal arm car model milling machines equipped with lift and rotary tables, bringing them into the mainstream.

    2001 GM Horizontal 5 Axis Lift Table

  • 2021-12-10

    2003

    TARUS built its first milling machines equipped with ETEL direct drive linear and torque motors, giving TARUS a head start knowledge in direct drive technology.

    2003 TARUS HML5 with Linear Motors

  • 2021-12-10

    2007

    TARUS began building 5-axis gundrilling machines with milling function for mold makers. This dramatically simplified setup times, and enabled mold makers to design more efficient molds.

    2007-5-Axis-Gundrilling-Machine - TARUS

  • 2021-12-10

    2009

    TARUS introduces the MM5 linear motor clay model milling machines. It was the first in-studio clay model milling machine to use linear motors,  dramatically increasing the speed and acceleration, yet remained quiet and reliable.

    2009 TARUS MM5 5 axis

  • 2021-12-10

    2010

    Tubesheets in a nuclear power station steam generator have up to 30,000 precision holes drilled by a gundrilling machine. Drilling hole patterns is extremely complex. Drills need to be installed and removed depending on the hole pattern which is an arduous, labor-intensive process.

    TARUS introduced the DHMS 5-spindle BTA deephole drilling machine which is able to have drills used together or separately in any combination at any time controlled by the CNC, which was a first in the industry.

    2010 TARUS DHMS Mulit Spindle Gundrill BWXT

  • 2021-12-10

    2015

    After becoming frustrated with various ERP platforms that don't address the needs of a complex manufacturing and service environment, TARUS begins a multi-million dollar commitment to build TPI SHOP ERP.

    It dramatically transforms company profitability, operations, and decision making and becomes adopted by a number of outside customers.

    TPI Shop ERP dashboard

  • 2021-12-10

    2017

    In response to market feedback, especially in the mold and die industry, TARUS decides to offer the latest Heidenhain CNC option on TARUS milling and gundrilling machine models.  This shift brings new levels of contour milling surface quality, 5-axis accuracy, and automation to already robust TARUS machines.

    2017 TARUS MM5 Heidenhain

  • 2021-12-10

    2019

    To better address the needs of our aerospace and transportation design customers, the new TARUS CNC is introduced. Based on Siemens Sinumerik One CNC, includes wireless user interface, TARUS Design Studio GUI with TPI CAM 5-axis CAM system for car design studios.

    2019 TARUS DHDM Siemens 840D

  • 2021-12-10

    2020

    TARUS' legendary GUI known for user friendliness and functionality based on customer feedback expands a partnership with Siemens. This partnership merges the best of the TARUS CNC with extreme high performance and reliability of the Siemens Sinumerik One. It includes a wireless user interface, TARUS Design Studio GUI with TPI CAM 5-axis system for car design studios. TARUS extends this partnership by offering GUI being developed for CNC applications beyond car design.

    TARUS-Claymill-About-UI

  • 2021-12-10

    2020

    TARUS updates the CM5P portable and MM5 fixed rail 5-axis clay milling machines, equipped with Heidenhain TNC 640 CNC or new Siemens-based TARUS CNC. These controls offer the highest performance available on a claymilling machine.

    2020 TARUS CM5P Portable Equipped with Heidenhain CNC

  • 2021-12-10

    2021

    TARUS joined the trend toward compact 5-axis gantry mills which do not require complex foundations with the introduction of the 5GLC. TARUS' 20 years of experience with linear motor direct drives means higher speed, better surface quality, and less wear. Combined with Heidenhain and Siemens controls and the best spindles and automation, TARUS delivers the highest performance in the smallest footprint.

    TARUS-5-GLC-Main

  • 2021-12-10

    2021

    TARUS customers asked for a lighter, quieter in-studio claymill with 5-axis milling and top CNC performance. The new TARUS LCMT greatly exceeded those goals. The LCMT represents a collaboration with TARUS' largest customer whose industrial designers refined the shape, while we improved upon the structural integrity TARUS claymills are legendary for.  The result is quiet, beautiful, understated machine that will be in harmony with any car design studio environment.

    2021 TARUS LCMT Gen 3 Claymill

  • 2021-12-10

    2023

    TARUS wins the 2023 "Manufacturer of the Year" from the Macomb County Business Awards.

    Macomb County sits at the global epicenter of Advanced Manufacturing known as 'Automation Alley'. Receiving this recognition from peers who best understand advanced manufacturing is a tremendous honor for TARUS.

    For more information, click here.

    2023-Macomb Business Awards Winner-Manufacturer of the Year

     

  • 2021-12-10

    2024

    As one of the first adopters of Siemens SINUMERIK ONE in the world, Siemens showcases TARUS on a global stage with a case study and white paper on our adoption of the SINUMERIK ONE and use in TARUS machines.

    usa.siemens.com/tarus

    TARUS-CNC-SINUMERIK-ONE-main-image