Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC

Q: How much does the Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC cost?

The price estimate for the Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC 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-sl30mc-sl30lmc#price; the request is passed to Colchester or an authorised dealer.

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

Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC (Tornado series)

Image: colchester.co.uk, Colchester

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

4,500 rpm

Spindle Power

15 kW (20.1 hp)

Max Turn Length

540 / 940 mm (21.3 / 37.0 in)

Accuracy

0.010 mm (0.0004 in)

Repeatability

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

spindle bore

65 mm (2.6 in)

How much does the Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC cost?

Price estimate

Uncertain

We do not have a price for the Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC 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

The Colchester Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC is the mid-size Tornado with a C-axis and driven tools, offered in two bed lengths under one specification column. The driven tools are rated 3.5 kW (4.7 hp) and run to 4,000 rpm. The main spindle has a 65 mm (2.6 in) bore, 15 kW (20.1 hp) and a top speed of 4,500 rpm.

Note how the driven turret changes the envelope. Turning length is listed as 540 / 940 mm (21.3 / 37.0 in), and maximum cutting diameter as 330 mm (13.0 in). On the 2-axis Tornado SL30 / SL30L the same rows read 600 / 1,000 mm (23.6 / 39.4 in) and 400 mm (15.7 in). Swing over the bed, at 600 mm (23.6 in), and swing over the cross slide, at 400 mm (15.7 in), do not change, so the loss comes from the turret and its tool holders rather than from the castings.

All 12 stations take VDI 40 tooling. Driven-tool speed is the main compromise against the smaller machine: the Tornado SL25MC spins its driven tools to 5,000 rpm with the same 3.5 kW (4.7 hp). For drilling and tapping the difference rarely matters. For small end mills in aluminium it does.

There is no Y-axis and no sub-spindle. The longer bed is the reason to choose this model for shafts that also need keyway slots, cross holes or drive flats, with the optional hydraulic steady rest supporting the work. Chuck size is listed as 8 / 10 in (203 / 254 mm) and the control is the Fanuc 0i-TF Plus or Siemens 828D.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Spindle Bore	65 mm (2.6 in)
Chuck Size	8 / 10 in (203 / 254 mm)
Swing Over Bed	600 mm (23.6 in)
Max Turning Length	540 / 940 mm (21.3 / 37.0 in)
CNC Control	Fanuc 0i-TF Plus / Siemens 828D
C Axis Driven Tools	Yes
Y Axis	No
Sub Spindle	No
Max Spindle Speed	4,500 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	15 kW (20.1 hp)
Spindle Nose	A2-6
Turret Stations	12
Turret Tooling	VDI 40
Driven Tool Speed	4,000 rpm
Driven Tool Power	3.5 kW (4.7 hp)
Swing Over Cross Slide	400 mm (15.7 in)
Max Turning Diameter	330 mm (13.0 in)
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

C-axis and driven tools on a machine with up to 940 mm (37.0 in) of turning length
65 mm (2.6 in) bore and 15 kW (20.1 hp) main spindle carried over from the 2-axis version
12-station turret on VDI 40 tooling, with driven tools rated 3.5 kW (4.7 hp)
Swarf conveyor, parts catcher, Renishaw tool setting probe and 20 bar coolant are standard
Robot interface and barfeeder are on the options list

Limitations

Cutting diameter is 330 mm (13.0 in), down from 400 mm (15.7 in) on the Tornado SL30 / SL30L
Driven tools top out at 4,000 rpm, below the 5,000 rpm of the Tornado SL25MC
No Y-axis, so off-centre milling is not available
No sub-spindle for back-face work

Best For

Shafts needing cross holes, slots or flats within 940 mm (37.0 in) of turning length Turn-mill parts up to 330 mm (13.0 in) cutting diameter Bar work through the 65 mm (2.6 in) bore with drilled and tapped features Cells built round the optional robot interface or barfeeder

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How much turning capacity is lost to the driven-tool turret?

Turning length is 540 / 940 mm (21.3 / 37.0 in) and maximum cutting diameter 330 mm (13.0 in). The Tornado SL30 / SL30L without driven tools lists 600 / 1,000 mm (23.6 / 39.4 in) and 400 mm (15.7 in). Swing over the bed is 600 mm (23.6 in) on both.

02 What are the driven tool ratings on the Tornado SL30MC / SL30LMC?

Driven tool spindle power is 3.5 kW (4.7 hp) and the maximum driven tool speed is 4,000 rpm. The turret has 12 stations on VDI 40 tooling and the main spindle has C-axis control. Main spindle power is 15 kW (20.1 hp) with a maximum of 4,500 rpm.

03 What chuck and spindle nose does it have?

Chuck size is listed as 8 / 10 in (203 / 254 mm) for the two variants, on an A2-6 spindle nose with a 65 mm (2.6 in) bore. A hydraulic quick change collet chuck is on the options list for bar work, and a barfeeder can be added.

04 Is there a Y-axis or sub-spindle option?

Not on this model. The table answers No for both. In the Tornado range the Y-axis and sub-spindle appear on the Tornado SL25 MSY, which has a smaller 52 mm (2.0 in) bore and 522 mm (20.6 in) of turning length.