AXA VHC 50 - XTS
Image: axa-maschinenbau.de, AXA
Key Specifications
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Table Size
Spindle Power
Accuracy
How much does the AXA VHC 50 - XTS cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the AXA VHC 50 - XTS that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.
Overview
AXA describes the VHC 50 as "the heavy SK 50 pendulum machining centre", and the VHC 50 - XTS data bear that out. Feed force is 20,000 N (4,496 lbf). The standard spindle drive no. 161 produces 540 Nm, and the optional drive no. 182 produces 820 Nm and 81 kW at 40% DC. All of it sits in a B-axis head that tilts between vertical and horizontal.
Travels are 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in Y and, in Z, 1,000 mm with the spindle horizontal and 970 mm with it vertical. X is built from 2,000 mm to 9,000 mm. AXA's table also prints a larger build in brackets, 1,250 mm of Y with 1,250 mm / 1,220 mm of Z. The spindle nose reaches from 0 to 970 mm above the table when vertical and from 280 mm to 1,280 mm when horizontal.
Pendulum operation is the intended way to run it. The bed is divided into two zones, each with a travel of (X-axis - 600) / 2 mm, and one is loaded by crane or hand while the column works in the other. On parts of this size loading takes long enough that the gain is real.
The trade-offs follow from the mass. Rapid traverse is 30/30/25 m/min and a tool change takes approx. 8 s. The XTS magazine holds 30 tools and extends to 180. Positioning accuracy is ± 0.015 mm per 1,000 mm with the vertical spindle, with no optional finer grade in the table. Drive no. 182 runs at 4,000 rpm only.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X Axis Travel | 2,000 - 9,000 mm (78.7 - 354.3 in) (vertical spindle) |
| Pendulum Travel Optional | (X-axis - 600) / 2 mm (vertical spindle) |
| Y Axis Travel | 1,000 mm (39.4 in); alternatively 1,250 mm (49.2 in) |
| Z Axis Travel | 1,000 mm (39.4 in) horizontal / 970 mm (38.2 in) vertical; alternatively 1,250 mm (49.2 in) / 1,220 mm (48.0 in) |
| Distance Spindle Nose to Table Vertical | 0 - 970 mm (0 - 38.2 in) |
| Distance Spindle Nose to Table Horizontal | 280 - 1,280 mm (11.0 - 50.4 in) |
| Table Size | (X-axis + 400) x Y-axis mm |
| T-Slot Width | 18 mm H9 (reference slot H7) |
| T Slot Spacing | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| T Slot Count | 6 |
| Max Table Load | 1,500 kg/m² (307 lb/ft²) |
| Rapid Traverse Xyz | 30/30/25 m/min (1,181/1,181/984 ipm) in X/Y/Z |
| Max Feed Force | 20,000 N (4,496 lbf) |
| Spindle Drive Standard | No. 161 |
| Spindle Drives Optional | No. 163, 182 |
| Max Spindle Speed | 4,000 rpm; optional up to 7,500 rpm (standard drive no. 161) |
| Spindle Torque | 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) max. at 40% DC (standard drive no. 161) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 28 kW (37.5 hp) max. at 40% DC (standard drive no. 161) |
| Optional Spindle Drive 163 | 4,000 rpm (optional up to 7,500 rpm), 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft), 56 kW (75.1 hp) max. at 40% DC |
| Optional Spindle Drive 182 | 4,000 rpm, 820 Nm (604.8 lb-ft), 81 kW (108.6 hp) max. at 40% DC |
| Spindle Taper | SK 50 (DIN ISO 7388-1 AD / DIN ISO 7388-3 AD); optional BT 50, HSK A100, C8 |
| B Axis Range | ± 90°; optional ± 100° |
| B Axis Indexing | 0.001°; fully interpolating optional |
| Tool Capacity | 30; optional expandable up to 180 (e.g. 3 fully equipped towers) |
| Max Tool Diameter (full magazine) | 110 mm (4.3 in); 180 mm (7.1 in) with free adjacent pockets |
| Max Tool Length | 400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Tool Change Time | approx. 8 s |
| Positioning Accuracy | ± 0.015 mm per 1,000 mm per axis X/Y/Z with vertical spindle |
| Repeatability | ± 0.005 mm |
Specifications sourced from axa-maschinenbau.de — verified 2026-10-05
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 20,000 N feed force and spindle drives of 540 Nm or, with drive no. 182, 820 Nm
- Tilting B-axis head (± 90°, optionally ± 100°) on a heavy SK 50 machine
- 1,000 mm of Y travel and up to 1,280 mm from table to horizontal spindle
- Table load of 1,500 kg/m² on six 18 mm T-slots
- Designed for pendulum machining with two work zones
Limitations
- Rapid traverse of 30/30/25 m/min, slower than the VHC 3 - XTS50 at 40/40/30 m/min
- Standard drive no. 161 delivers its 540 Nm from only 28 kW
- Tool change time of approx. 8 s
- Horizontal spindle works no closer than 280 mm to the table
- No optional finer positioning accuracy is listed
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Drive no. 161 is standard: 4,000 rpm (up to 7,500 rpm optional), 540 Nm and 28 kW. Drive no. 163 has 540 Nm and 56 kW with the same speeds. Drive no. 182 has 820 Nm and 81 kW at 4,000 rpm with no higher speed listed. All ratings are at 40% DC.
02
X is 2,000 mm to 9,000 mm with the spindle vertical. Y is 1,000 mm, and Z is 1,000 mm horizontal or 970 mm vertical. The table also shows 1,250 mm for Y and 1,250 mm / 1,220 mm for Z in brackets. The clamping surface is the X travel plus 400 mm by the Y travel.
03
AXA states that 5 face machining or 5 axes simultaneous machining is possible in combination with a rotary table. The head indexes in 0.001° steps, and fully interpolating operation is marked as an optional feature, so both items need to be specified.
04
The tilting head. The VSC 50 - XTS has the same 20,000 N feed force, the same three drives and 1,000 mm of Y and Z, but a vertical spindle only. The VHC 50 - XTS adds the B-axis with ± 90° of swivel for horizontal machining.
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