Ecoca VL-1000

Ecoca sells two vertical machining centers with a metre of X travel, and the VL-1000 is the fast one. It has linear guideways and rapids of 24/24/24 m/min (945/945/945 ipm), where the box-way VB-1000 is listed at 20/20/15 m/min (787/787/591 ipm). Travels are 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in X, 510 mm (20.1 in) in Y and 610 mm (24.0 in) in Z.

The two machines are close enough to be confused, so the differences are worth spelling out. Both use a BT-40 spindle at 8,000 rpm with a 15/18.5 kW (20.1/24.8 hp) motor and a 16-tool armless changer, and both carry 800 kg (1,764 lb) on the table. The VL-1000 weighs 5,300 kg (11,684 lb). The VB-1000 weighs 7,100 kg (15,653 lb) and has more Y travel, 610 mm (24.0 in). So the choice is between quicker positioning on a lighter machine and more mass and Y stroke on a heavier one. Work in aluminium and light steel cuts with many moves favours the VL; heavy cuts in tough material favour the VB.

Within the VL range this is the top model, and it is more than a stretched VL-800. Z travel grows from the 480 mm (18.9 in) of the VL-800 to 610 mm (24.0 in), the table widens to 1,100 x 510 mm (43.3 x 20.1 in), and the spindle motor is a size larger.

Ecoca describes the series as supported by heavy-duty linear guideways with a high-rigidity structure, and with preloaded, pre-tensioned ball screws on the 3 axes. The standard list covers a guideway cover, chip enclosure, cutting air blast, auto lube, coolant system and work lamp.