EMAG VLC 200 GT

$350,000 - $500,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

170 mm (6.7 in)

Z Travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Max Workpiece ⌀

200 mm (7.87 in)

max workpiece length

100 mm (3.94 in)

turning spindle speed

3,000 RPM

turning spindle power

22 kW (29.5 hp)

Overview

The EMAG VLC 200 GT is a vertical grinding/turning combination machine that integrates hard turning and finish grinding into a single platform, eliminating the need for separate machines and inter-operation part handling for high-precision chuck-type components up to 200 mm (7.87 in) diameter. The "GT" designation stands for Grinding/Turning, reflecting the machine's ability to perform both operations in a single chucking — first hard turning to near-finish dimensions, then grinding to final tolerances and surface finish specifications. This combined approach reduces total cycle time, eliminates re-chucking error, and shrinks the production line footprint.

The VLC 200 GT features EMAG's inverted vertical spindle design with integrated pick-up automation, just like the VL turning machines. The main spindle delivers 22 kW (29.5 hp) with speeds up to 3,000 RPM for turning operations. The grinding spindle is mounted on a separate slide and delivers up to 45 m/s peripheral wheel speed with an external or internal grinding wheel configuration depending on the application. The 12-position turret carries turning tools (CBN inserts for hard turning), and the grinding spindle handles final finish operations.

The MINERALIT polymer concrete machine base provides vibration damping that is critical for grinding operations where surface finish quality is measured in fractions of a micron. The vertical orientation and pick-up automation carry over from the VL platform, meaning the VLC 200 GT handles its own part loading and unloading via conveyor belt without external robots or gantry systems. This integrated automation makes the VLC 200 GT one of the most productive combined grinding/turning platforms available for high-volume production.

The Fanuc 31i control manages both the turning and grinding cycles, including in-process gauging, wheel dressing compensation, and automatic grinding cycle optimization. Typical applications include bearing races (inner and outer), gear components, fuel injector bodies, and other hardened precision parts where both hard turning and finish grinding are required. New VLC 200 GT machines are priced between $350,000 and $500,000, which is significantly less than purchasing separate turning and grinding machines plus automation for the same production capability.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Workpiece Diameter	200 mm (7.87 in)
Max Workpiece Length	100 mm (3.94 in)
Turning Spindle Speed	3,000 RPM
Turning Spindle Power	22 kW (29.5 hp)
Grinding Wheel Speed	Up to 45 m/s peripheral
Grinding Spindle Power	12 kW (16 hp)
X-Axis Travel	170 mm (6.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Turret Stations	12 (VDI 40)
Chuck Size	210 mm (8.3 in)
Machine Base	MINERALIT polymer concrete
Workpiece Handling	Integrated pick-up automation with conveyor
CNC Control	Fanuc 31i
Machine Weight	6,800 kg (14,991 lb)
Floor Space Required	2,400 x 2,600 mm (94.5 x 102.4 in)
Surface Finish Capability	Ra 0.2 µm (8 µin) or better
Workpiece Dia Max	mmin
Workpiece Length Max	mmin
Chuck Dia Max	mmin
X Axis Travel	mmin
Z Axis Travel	mmin

Specifications sourced from emag.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Combines hard turning and finish grinding in a single machine — eliminates re-chucking error and reduces total cycle time by 30-40% versus separate operations
Integrated pick-up automation provides fully automated part handling without external robots, matching the VL platform's production efficiency
MINERALIT polymer concrete base delivers the vibration damping critical for achieving sub-micron surface finishes during grinding operations
Single-machine solution replaces separate hard turning and grinding machines plus inter-operation automation, reducing total cell cost and floor space by 40-50%
Vertical orientation with gravity chip evacuation keeps grinding swarf clear of the work zone, protecting surface finish quality
In-process gauging with automatic grinding cycle compensation ensures consistent dimensional accuracy across production lots

Limitations

200 mm maximum workpiece diameter limits the VLC 200 GT to smaller parts — larger components require EMAG's larger VLC platforms
Combined grinding/turning operation requires operators trained in both disciplines, increasing the skill level needed for setup and troubleshooting
Grinding wheel dressing and management adds maintenance complexity compared to turning-only VL machines
Not suitable for high-stock-removal grinding — the VLC 200 GT is designed for finish grinding after hard turning, not for full-stock grinding operations
3,000 RPM turning spindle speed is lower than dedicated hard turning machines, limiting surface speed on smaller-diameter finish cuts

Best For

Bearing manufacturers producing inner and outer races requiring both hard turning and finish grinding to achieve final tolerances and surface finish Automotive transmission component producers machining hardened synchronizer rings, clutch components, and gear seats Fuel injection system manufacturers producing hardened precision components requiring combined turning and grinding to sub-micron tolerances Shops consolidating separate hard turning and grinding operations into single machines to reduce floor space, labor, and inter-operation handling Production lines where eliminating re-chucking error between turning and grinding is critical for achieving tight concentricity and runout specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Why combine turning and grinding in one machine?

Combining hard turning and finish grinding in the VLC 200 GT eliminates the re-chucking error that occurs when parts move between separate machines. This is critical for components like bearing races where concentricity between bore and OD must be within 2-3 microns. The single-chucking approach also reduces total cycle time (no inter-operation handling), cuts floor space by 40-50%, and eliminates the automation needed to transfer parts between separate machines. For high-volume precision components, the VLC 200 GT delivers better quality at lower total cost.

02 What surface finish can the VLC 200 GT achieve?

The VLC 200 GT achieves Ra 0.2 micrometers (8 microinches) or better in grinding mode, which meets the surface finish requirements for most bearing races, sealing surfaces, and precision bores. For applications requiring even finer finishes, the machine's MINERALIT base and in-process gauging support consistent achievement of Ra 0.1 micrometers with appropriate grinding wheel selection and dressing parameters. The hard turning operation typically achieves Ra 0.4-0.8 micrometers before the grinding finish pass.

03 How does the VLC 200 GT handle wheel dressing?

The VLC 200 GT includes an automatic diamond wheel dressing system that compensates for wheel wear during production. The Fanuc control monitors grinding forces and dimensional results from the in-process gauging system, triggering dressing cycles at programmed intervals or when dimensional drift is detected. Dressing compensation is automatic — the control adjusts the grinding cycle to account for wheel diameter changes after each dress. This closed-loop approach maintains consistent grinding results across thousands of parts without operator intervention.

04 Can the VLC 200 GT be integrated into EMAG production lines?

Yes, the VLC 200 GT uses the same conveyor-based automation interface as EMAG's VL turning machines and integrates seamlessly into multi-machine production lines via EMAG's TrackMotion transport system. A typical configuration might include a VL 4 for soft turning, heat treatment, then the VLC 200 GT for combined hard turning and finish grinding. The machine's pick-up automation handles the interface with the TrackMotion system automatically.