Brother Industries Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)

Brother TC-32B

Est. $50,000 - $80,000 (new) Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

BT30

Table Size

500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 15.7 in)

Rapid Traverse

50 m/min (1,969 ipm) all axes

Accuracy

+/- 0.004 mm

Repeatability

+/- 0.002 mm

x axis travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

How much does the Brother TC-32B cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$50,000 - $80,000 (new)

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-32B is a BT30 tapping center with listed travels of 500 mm (19.7 in) in X, 400 mm (15.7 in) in Y and 305 mm (12.0 in) in Z, a 10,000 rpm spindle (16,000 rpm optional) on a 3.7 kW (5 hp) motor, and a 21-position ATC that changes tool-to-tool in 0.9 seconds.

It does not appear on Brother's current product pages, and the table has not been confirmed against Brother, so check the figures against the machine and its manuals before relying on them. The listed control is the Brother CNC-B00.

The table is the most useful figure for fixture planning. At 500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 15.7 in) it matches the X and Y travel, and it is rated for 200 kg (441 lb). That allows a fixture plate carrying several vises, or two rows of small parts, which shorter-Y machines cannot hold. Chip-to-chip time is listed at 1.4 seconds, and rapids are 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) on all axes.

The similarly named TC-32BN goes further, with 550 mm (21.7 in) of X, 415 mm (16.3 in) of Z, 26 tools (+1) and 70 m/min (2,756 ipm) rapids, on the same 400 mm (15.7 in) of Y. The listed accuracy is +/- 0.004 mm positioning and +/- 0.002 mm repeatability, and the machine weighs 2,000 kg (4,409 lb).

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Y Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z Axis Travel	305 mm (12.0 in)
Spindle Speed	10,000 rpm (16,000 rpm optional)
Spindle Motor	3.7 kW (5 hp)
Spindle Taper	BT30
Tool Magazine	21-position ATC
Tool to Tool Time	0.9 seconds
Chip to Chip Time	1.4 seconds
Rapid Traverse Rate	50 m/min (1,969 ipm) all axes
Table Size	500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 15.7 in)
Table Load Capacity	200 kg (441 lb)
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.004 mm
Repeatability	+/- 0.002 mm
CNC Control	Brother CNC-B00
Machine Weight	2,000 kg (4,409 lb)

Specifications compiled from manufacturer literature and industry references. Not independently verified against a published spec sheet — confirm with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before making a purchasing decision.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 15.7 in) table rated for 200 kg (441 lb)
400 mm (15.7 in) of Y, enough for two-deep fixture layouts
Listed 0.9 seconds tool-to-tool and 1.4 seconds chip-to-chip
Spindle option to 16,000 rpm over the standard 10,000 rpm
Listed positioning accuracy of +/- 0.004 mm

Limitations

305 mm (12.0 in) of Z, against 415 mm (16.3 in) on the TC-32BN
21-position ATC holds fewer tools than the 26 tools (+1) of the TC-32BN
Standard spindle stops at 10,000 rpm unless the 16,000 rpm option is fitted
Not on Brother's current pages and the figures are unconfirmed

Best For

Multi-vise fixture plates on a 500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 15.7 in) table Drilling and tapping on parts up to 200 kg (441 lb) Jobs that fit within 21 tools

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How is the TC-32B different from the TC-32BN?

Both have 400 mm (15.7 in) of Y. The TC-32BN adds X and Z, at 550 mm (21.7 in) and 415 mm (16.3 in), carries 26 tools (+1), runs 12,000 rpm as standard and rapids at 70 m/min (2,756 ipm). The TC-32B listing gives 500 mm (19.7 in) of X, 305 mm (12.0 in) of Z, a 21-position ATC and 50 m/min (1,969 ipm).

02 What is the TC-32B table size and load?

The listed table is 500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 15.7 in) with a 200 kg (441 lb) load rating. Because the table matches the X and Y strokes, the whole surface is reachable, which makes it practical for fixture plates holding several vises.

03 What spindle does the TC-32B have?

A BT30 spindle rated 10,000 rpm, with 16,000 rpm as an option, on a 3.7 kW (5 hp) motor. On a used machine, check which spindle is fitted, as the faster one suits small drills and taps better.

04 How accurate is the TC-32B?

The listed figures are +/- 0.004 mm for positioning and +/- 0.002 mm for repeatability. The TC-32B is not on Brother's current product pages, so ask for a recent ballbar or laser check on the actual machine rather than relying on the listing.