Brother TC-31B
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Tool Capacity
Rapid Traverse
How much does the Brother TC-31B cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a vertical machining centers (vmc) in this class — not a quote from Brother Industries. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The Brother TC-31B is a compact tapping center with 350 × 250 × 350 mm (13.8 × 9.8 × 13.8 in) of X, Y and Z travel, a 12,000 rpm spindle with a 16,000 rpm option, and a magazine for 26 tools (+1). Brother has discontinued the model, so it is now bought as a used machine.
The magazine is what sets it apart. The TC-31AN uses the same 350 × 250 × 350 mm envelope and the same 50 m/min (1,968 ipm) rapids, but holds 18 tools (+1) and runs a faster spindle, 16,000 rpm as standard with a 22,000 rpm option. The TC-31B gives up that speed for the larger tool count, which pays off on parts that need a long list of drills, taps and reamers, or when several jobs share one tool set without a changeover.
The envelope is tall and shallow. Z travel matches X at 350 mm, while Y stops at 250 mm (9.8 in), so the machine takes long tools and fixtures raised on a riser more easily than wide plates or two-deep fixture rows. Parts that need more Y belong on a larger frame such as the TC-22B, with 450 mm (17.7 in) of Y.
Brother gives the footprint as 1,404 × 3,204 mm (55.3 × 126.1 in), deep for a machine with 350 mm of X travel, so measure the floor and access path before buying. On a used machine, confirm which spindle is fitted, since the standard one stops at 12,000 rpm.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Spindle Speed | 12,000 rpm (16,000 rpm optional) |
| X-Axis Travel | 350 mm (13.8 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 350 mm (13.8 in) |
| Tool Capacity | 26 tools (+1) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 50 / 50 / 50 m/min (1,968 / 1,968 / 1,968 ipm) |
| Floor Space Required | 1,404 × 3,204 mm (55.3 × 126.1 in) |
Specifications sourced from machinetool.global.brother — verified 2026-10-03
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Magazine for 26 tools (+1), against 18 tools (+1) on the TC-31AN with the same 350 × 250 × 350 mm travels
- 12,000 rpm standard spindle, with a 16,000 rpm option for small drills and taps
- 350 mm (13.8 in) of Z travel, equal to the X axis, leaves room for long tools and raised fixtures
- Rapids of 50 m/min (1,968 ipm) on X, Y and Z keep non-cutting time short between holes
Limitations
- Y travel is only 250 mm (9.8 in), which limits part depth and rules out most two-deep fixture layouts
- The TC-31AN on the same travels runs 16,000 rpm as standard with a 22,000 rpm option; the TC-31B tops out at 16,000 rpm even with its option
- Discontinued by Brother, so every unit has to be judged on its own condition and fitted spindle
- The 1,404 × 3,204 mm (55.3 × 126.1 in) footprint is deep for a machine of this X travel
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Both have 350 × 250 × 350 mm (13.8 × 9.8 × 13.8 in) of travel and 50 m/min (1,968 ipm) rapids. The TC-31B holds 26 tools (+1) and runs 12,000 rpm, with 16,000 rpm as an option. The TC-31AN holds 18 tools (+1) and runs 16,000 rpm, with 22,000 rpm as an option. Pick the TC-31B for tool count, the TC-31AN for spindle speed.
02
No. Brother has discontinued the TC-31B, so it is bought used. Check whether the machine has the standard 12,000 rpm spindle or the 16,000 rpm option, and run every one of the 26 tool positions (+1) through a tool change before accepting it.
03
The axes move 350 mm (13.8 in) in X, 250 mm (9.8 in) in Y and 350 mm (13.8 in) in Z. The short Y axis is usually the limit: parts and fixtures deeper than that need a machine such as the TC-22B, which has 450 mm (17.7 in) of Y.
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