Colchester Tornado SL25 MSY

Q: How much does the Colchester Tornado SL25 MSY cost?

The price estimate for the Colchester Tornado SL25 MSY is uncertain: we have no price for it that we can cite and no estimate we can stand behind, so we give no figure. Configuration, tooling, automation and installation move the final price substantially. A specific price can be requested at https://machinetoolindex.com/machines/colchester-tornado-sl25-msy#price; the request is passed to Colchester or an authorised dealer.

Specs verified 2026-10-04 · colchester.co.uk Updated 2026-10-04

Image: colchester.co.uk, Colchester

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

5,000 rpm

Spindle Power

15 kW (20.1 hp)

Max Turn Length

522 mm (20.6 in)

Accuracy

0.010 mm (0.0004 in)

Repeatability

+/- 0.003 mm (+/- 0.0001 in)

spindle bore

52 mm (2.0 in)

How much does the Colchester Tornado SL25 MSY cost?

Price estimate

Uncertain

We do not have a price for the Colchester Tornado SL25 MSY 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

Two spindles and a Y-axis make the Colchester Tornado SL25 MSY the only machine in the Tornado range that can finish both ends of a part without an operator turning it round. The main spindle carries an 8 in (203 mm) chuck and runs to 5,000 rpm on 15 kW (20.1 hp). Facing it is a sub-spindle with a 6 in (152 mm) chuck, 6,000 rpm and 11 kW (14.8 hp) on an A2-5 nose.

Colchester describes the process as 5-axis single-hit machining. The part is turned and milled in the main spindle, transferred automatically to the sub-spindle, and the back face is then machined with the same turret. For a shop running second operations on a separate lathe, that removes a setup, a fixture and a queue.

The Y-axis travels +/- 42 mm (+/- 1.7 in). That is what allows off-centre milling of keyways, flats and contoured surfaces, which a C-axis alone cannot produce cleanly. Driven tools are rated 5.5 kW (7.4 hp) at up to 5,000 rpm, a step up from the 3.5 kW (4.7 hp) of the Tornado SL25MC. Tooling is listed as VDI 30 / DIN 1809.

Turning length is 522 mm (20.6 in) and swing over the bed 550 mm (21.7 in), with the 52 mm (2.0 in) bore shared by the other SL25 machines. The table for this model gives no maximum cutting diameter and no station count, so ask Colchester for both before planning tooling. Positioning accuracy is quoted at 0.010 mm (0.0004 in). Control is the Fanuc 0i-TF Plus or Siemens 828D.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Spindle Bore	52 mm (2.0 in)
Chuck Size	8 in (203 mm)
Swing Over Bed	550 mm (21.7 in)
Max Turning Length	522 mm (20.6 in)
CNC Control	Fanuc 0i-TF Plus / Siemens 828D
C Axis Driven Tools	Yes
Y Axis	Yes
Sub Spindle	Yes
Spindle Nose	A2-6
Max Spindle Speed	5,000 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	15 kW (20.1 hp)
Driven Tool Speed	5,000 rpm
Driven Tool Power	5.5 kW (7.4 hp)
Turret Tooling	VDI 30 / DIN 1809
Y Axis Travel	+/- 42 mm (+/- 1.7 in)
Sub Spindle Chuck Size	6 in (152 mm)
Sub Spindle Speed	6,000 rpm
Sub Spindle Power	11 kW (14.8 hp)
Sub Spindle Nose	A2-5
Positioning Accuracy	0.010 mm (0.0004 in)
Repeatability	+/- 0.003 mm (+/- 0.0001 in)

Specifications sourced from colchester.co.uk — verified 2026-10-04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Sub-spindle with a 6 in (152 mm) chuck, 6,000 rpm and 11 kW (14.8 hp) for machining the second side in the same cycle
Y-axis travel of +/- 42 mm (+/- 1.7 in) for off-centre keyways, flats and contours
Driven tools rated 5.5 kW (7.4 hp) at up to 5,000 rpm
Main spindle power of 15 kW (20.1 hp), above the 11 kW (14.8 hp) of the Tornado SL25MC
Parts catcher, swarf conveyor, Renishaw tool setting probe and 20 bar coolant are standard

Limitations

The specification table gives no maximum cutting diameter and no number of tool stations for this model
The 6 in (152 mm) sub-spindle chuck is smaller than the 8 in (203 mm) main chuck, which limits what can be gripped for the second side
Y travel of +/- 42 mm (+/- 1.7 in) bounds how far off centre a feature can sit
Bar capacity is still set by the 52 mm (2.0 in) main spindle bore

Best For

Parts machined on both ends in a single cycle with automatic transfer Components with off-centre keyways or flats within +/- 42 mm (+/- 1.7 in) of Y travel Bar work up to the 52 mm (2.0 in) bore, parted off into the sub-spindle Replacing a two-lathe or lathe-plus-mill route with one setup

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does MSY mean on the Tornado SL25 MSY?

Colchester's page describes the machine as a sub-spindle, Y-axis, C-axis and driven tool CNC turning centre, and the table answers Yes for C-axis and driven tools, Yes for the Y-axis and Yes for the sub-spindle. In practice that is milling, a second spindle and a Y-axis on one slant-bed lathe.

02 What are the sub-spindle specifications?

The sub-spindle has a 6 in (152 mm) chuck, a maximum speed of 6,000 rpm, 11 kW (14.8 hp) of power and an A2-5 spindle nose. The main spindle is larger: 8 in (203 mm) chuck, 5,000 rpm, 15 kW (20.1 hp) and an A2-6 nose with a 52 mm (2.0 in) bore.

03 How much Y-axis travel does the Tornado SL25 MSY have?

The table lists the Y-axis as +/- 42 mm (+/- 1.7 in). Colchester says the Y-axis enables precise off-centre milling for keyways, flats and contoured surfaces. The driven tools that do that work are rated 5.5 kW (7.4 hp) with a maximum speed of 5,000 rpm.

04 What does the table leave out for this model?

Unlike the other Tornado pages, this one prints no maximum cutting diameter, no swing over the cross slide and no number of tool stations. It does give 550 mm (21.7 in) swing over the bed, 522 mm (20.6 in) turning length and VDI 30 / DIN 1809 tooling. Confirm the missing figures with Colchester before quoting a job.

05 Which controls are offered?

Fanuc 0i-TF Plus or Siemens 828D. The standard features list the FANUC 0i-TF Plus with a 15 in screen and Manual Guide I, and the Siemens 828D with a 15 in screen and ShopTurn as the option.