Brother Industries Vertical Machining Centers

Brother TC-31AN

$18,000 - $50,000 (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

table type

Two-face rotary pallet table

x axis travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

y axis travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Overview

The Brother TC-31AN is a narrow-body variant of the TC-31A pallet-table tapping center, combining the two-face rotary pallet table with a reduced-width enclosure for production lines with tight machine spacing. The N (Narrow) designation indicates an optimized machine width that enables tighter machine-to-machine spacing in inline production environments.

The TC-31AN provides the same 500 x 300 x 250 mm (19.7 x 11.8 x 9.8 in) X/Y/Z travels and two-face rotary pallet table as the standard TC-31A. The spindle runs at 8,000 RPM with a 3.7 kW motor on BT30 taper, and the 21-tool ATC handles multi-operation programs. The pallet table indexes 180 degrees automatically at cycle end for near-continuous production.

The narrow-body design repositions internal components to reduce the overall machine width without compromising the work envelope or pallet-table functionality. This is particularly valuable in automotive production lines where tapping centers are deployed in series and the total line length depends on machine spacing.

The Brother NC-A00 control manages pallet indexing and tool changes natively. As a legacy narrow-body model, the TC-31AN is available exclusively on the used market at $18,000-$50,000. It serves production environments needing the TC-31A's pallet-table productivity in a tighter installation footprint.

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
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)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Narrow-body design enables tighter machine spacing with full pallet-table drilling and tapping capability
Two-face pallet table provides near-zero idle time — load on one face while machining the other
Same 500 mm X-travel and 3.7 kW spindle as the standard TC-31A in a reduced-width footprint
21-tool ATC enables complex multi-operation programs
Semi-automated production without robotic loading at legacy pricing
Ideal for inline production where pallet-table tapping centers run in series

Limitations

Legacy NC-A00 control lacks modern connectivity and programming features
8,000 RPM spindle speed is slower than B-series successors
No longer manufactured — spare parts availability is increasingly limited
Narrow enclosure may limit maintenance access compared to the standard TC-31A

Best For

Automotive production lines with fixed bay widths requiring pallet-table tapping centers High-volume drilling and tapping where narrow machine spacing maximizes line density Electronics production with inline tapping stations in space-constrained facilities Shops replacing legacy machines in existing narrow line positions Budget production environments needing pallet-change tapping capability at minimal cost

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does the N in TC-31AN mean?

N stands for Narrow. The TC-31AN has a reduced machine width compared to the standard TC-31A for tighter production line spacing. All machining specifications and pallet-table functionality are identical.

02 What does a Brother TC-31AN cost?

The TC-31AN is available used only, typically $18,000-$50,000 depending on condition and hours.

03 TC-31AN vs TC-31A — what is different?

Only the machine enclosure width. X/Y/Z travel, spindle specs, tool magazine, pallet table, and control system are identical between the standard and narrow-body variants.

04 Is the TC-31AN still practical for production?

Yes, for high-volume drilling and tapping of small aluminum and non-ferrous parts. The two-face pallet table still provides excellent throughput. The 8,000 RPM spindle and NC-A00 control are the main limitations versus modern machines.