In 1994, Tri-Tech designed and developed a programmable two-axis spindle head for attachment to their existing three-axis NC machining centers. The portable head attachment, together with their own three-axis machine, gave them full 5-axis machining capability. Tri-Tech found the increased capability of the programmable head allowed them to bid and win more technical and higher profit margin jobs.

Tri-Tech saw the market potential of their new invention and wanted to produce a commercial version of the device for attachment to any three-axis CNC machine, thus providing 5-axis capability at a fraction of the cost of a traditional 5-axis machining center. The first production Model 5400 was released in March of 1997 and debuted at the WESTEC '97 machine tool show. The first production lot of four units was sold out immediately after the show and plans for the next production lot were initiated.

Every year has seen another model and significant enhancements including improved spindle designs, integrated coolant, increased precision worm and bevel gears. All of these enhancements have provided increased strength and rigidity while improving accuracy through both mechanics and software calibration.

Tri-Tech Precision Products offers the Model 5414-C, their most advanced 5-Axis Head attachment at the IMTS machine tool show, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, in September 2006. The new M5414-C features an upgraded spindle with high precision bearings designed to further increase rigidity and provide a noticeably smoother surface finish, increased speed up to 20,000 RPM using an HSK Spindle Speeder, further speed increases up to 60,000 RPM using a pneumatic spindle, and upgraded worm gears that provide a 20% improvement in accuracy over previous models.