Brother Industries Vertical Machining Centers

Brother TC-31A

$15,000 - $45,000 (used) Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

BT30

Table Size

500 x 300 mm (19.7 x 11.8 in) per face

Rapid Traverse

30 m/min (1,181 ipm) all axes

Accuracy

+/- 0.005 mm

Repeatability

+/- 0.002 mm

table type

Two-face rotary pallet table

Overview

The Brother TC-31A is a column-traverse tapping center with a two-face pallet table that enables simultaneous loading and machining — the operator loads parts on one pallet face while the machine cuts on the other, eliminating idle time between production cycles. The TC-31A was the original pallet-table tapping center in the TC series, succeeded by the TC-31B with improved servo dynamics.

X/Y/Z travels are 500 x 300 x 250 mm (19.7 x 11.8 x 9.8 in). The spindle runs at 8,000 RPM with a 3.7 kW motor on BT30 taper — the strongest spindle motor in the TC-A series. The 21-tool ATC provides ample capacity for multi-operation drilling and tapping programs. The two-face rotary pallet table indexes 180 degrees automatically at the end of each cycle, presenting fresh parts to the spindle.

The column-traverse design moves the spindle column in X rather than the table, while the rotary pallet table remains fixed during cutting for improved stability. The Brother NC-A00 control manages table indexing, tool changes, and machining cycles in an integrated flow. Machine weight is approximately 1,700 kg.

The TC-31A is available exclusively on the used market, with prices ranging from $15,000 to $45,000. It suits high-volume small-to-medium part production where manual loading time is a bottleneck and full robotic automation is not justified. The integrated pallet changer provides semi-automated production at a fraction of the cost of a full VMC with robotic loading.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Table Type	Two-face rotary pallet table
Table Size	500 x 300 mm (19.7 x 11.8 in) per face
X Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Y Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Z Axis Travel	250 mm (9.8 in)
Spindle Speed	8,000 rpm
Spindle Motor	3.7 kW (5 hp)
Spindle Taper	BT30
Tool Magazine	21-position ATC
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (1,181 ipm) all axes
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.005 mm
Repeatability	+/- 0.002 mm
Table Load Capacity	80 kg per face (176 lb)
Pallet Index Time	3.0 seconds
CNC Control	Brother NC-A00
Machine Weight	1,700 kg (3,748 lb)
Floor Space Required	1,400 x 1,800 mm (55 x 71 in)

Specifications sourced from premium.ipros.jp — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Two-face pallet table enables load/unload while machining — near-zero idle time between cycles
500 mm X-travel is the widest work envelope in the TC-A lineup for larger or multi-part fixtures
3.7 kW spindle motor is the strongest in the TC-A series for improved drilling and milling capability
21-tool ATC enables complex multi-operation programs without manual tool swaps
Semi-automated production capability without the cost of robotic loading systems
Low acquisition cost on the used market for pallet-change drilling and tapping capability

Limitations

Legacy NC-A00 control lacks Ethernet, probing, and modern programming features
8,000 RPM spindle speed is slower than the TC-31B successor (10,000 RPM)
No longer manufactured — spare parts availability is becoming more limited
Two-face pallet table fixes the fixture geometry — less flexible than a universal T-slot table
Column-traverse limits milling rigidity for heavy material removal

Best For

High-volume drilling and tapping where manual loading time is the production bottleneck Small aluminum and non-ferrous castings machined in large quantities with repetitive programs Electronics enclosures and connector bodies with dense hole patterns requiring fast throughput Shops running long shifts with a single operator managing two machines via the pallet system Budget-conscious production environments needing pallet-change capability at legacy pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Brother TC-31A cost?

The TC-31A is available used only, typically $15,000-$45,000 depending on condition, hours, and included tooling. Machines with recent maintenance and low hours command the higher end.

02 TC-31A vs TC-31B — what changed?

The TC-31B upgraded the spindle to 10,000 RPM (from 8,000), improved the control to CNC-B00, improved servo acceleration, and refined the pallet indexing speed. The core two-face pallet architecture and 500 mm X-travel remain the same.

03 How does the two-face pallet table work?

The rotary table has two workholding faces 180 degrees apart. The machine cuts on one face while the operator loads raw parts on the other. At cycle end, the table indexes 180 degrees and the cycle repeats — providing near-continuous production.

04 Can the TC-31A do milling?

Yes, the TC-31A can mill with its 3.7 kW motor, but it is optimized for drilling, tapping, and light milling. Heavy milling is better suited to the Speedio S-series VMCs.