Haas Automation Horizontal Machining Centers

Haas EC-400

$119,995 - $175,000 Updated 2026-03-10

Key Specifications

X Travel

559 mm (22 in)

Y Travel

635 mm (25 in)

Z Travel

559 mm (22 in)

Max Spindle

8100 rpm

Spindle Taper

CT40 / BT40 / HSK-A63

Tool Capacity

30+1 side-mount (50+1 or 100+1 optional)

Overview

The Haas EC-400 is a dual-pallet horizontal machining center that's become the go-to entry point for shops stepping into HMC territory. Haas completely redesigned this machine from the ground up with all-new castings for improved rigidity, 5 more inches of Y-axis travel compared to the previous generation, and vastly better chip evacuation. It's built for production work where spindle utilization matters and you can't afford to sit around loading parts.

The work envelope gives you 559 x 635 x 559 mm (22 x 25 x 22 in) of travel with 400 x 400 mm (15.75 x 15.75 in) pallets rated for 400 kg (880 lb). The standard inline direct-drive spindle runs at 8,100 RPM with 22.4 kW (30 hp) and puts out 122 Nm (90 ft-lbf) of torque at 2,000 RPM. You can option up to 12,000 or 15,000 RPM if you're pushing aluminum or need faster surface speeds. Rapids hit 35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm) across all axes, and chip-to-chip time averages 3.6 seconds. The standard 30+1 side-mount tool changer handles most job shop work, but you can scale up to 50+1 or 100+1 for high-mix production.

Where the EC-400 really earns its keep is the dual-pallet system. You're loading one pallet while the other cuts, and the 15-second pallet change keeps downtime to a minimum. K&M Engineering reported roughly 25% savings on runtime after switching from verticals. For shops that want to go further, the optional 6-station pallet pool turns this into a true lights-out cell with priority-based scheduling right from the Haas control. Pallet load drops to 227 kg (500 lb) with the pool, so plan your fixtures accordingly.

Compared to the Makino A51nx or Okuma MB-5000HII, the EC-400 sits at a significantly lower price point. You won't get the same thermal stability or rapid traverse speeds, but Haas's value proposition has always been about getting horizontal machining capability without the six-figure premium that Japanese builders command. The Haas control is straightforward and has a massive user base, so finding programmers and troubleshooting info is never an issue. The 360 L (95 gal) coolant tank is generous for a 400mm-class HMC.

New machines start around $119,995 for the base configuration. Used EC-400s from 2019-2023 trade between $150,000-$240,000 depending on options, while older pre-redesign models from the 2000s can be found for $25,000-$40,000. Specs sourced from Haas published data, dealer listings, and verified forum reports.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	559 mm (22 in)
Y-Axis Travel	635 mm (25 in)
Z-Axis Travel	559 mm (22 in)
Max Spindle Speed	8100 rpm
Spindle Taper	CT40 / BT40 / HSK-A63
Spindle Motor Power	30.0 hp
Spindle Torque	122 Nm (90 ft-lbf) @ 2,000 RPM
Tool Capacity	30+1 side-mount (50+1 or 100+1 optional)
Tool To Tool	2.80 s
Chip To Chip	3.60 s
Pallet Size	400 x 400 mm (15.75 x 15.75 in)
Pallet Count	2 (6-station pallet pool optional)
Pallet Change Time	15 s
Max Pallet Load	500 lb
Max Pallet Load Pool	227 kg (500 lb)
Rapid Traverse Rate	35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm)
Max Cutting Feedrate	21.2 m/min (833 ipm)
Table Indexing	Full 4th-axis, ±15 arc-sec accuracy, 10 arc-sec repeatability, 150 deg/sec
Positioning Accuracy	±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in)
Coolant Capacity	95 gal
Machine Weight	17520 lb
CNC Control	Haas Next Generation Control (NGC)
Travels	S.A.E
X Axis	22.00 in
Y Axis	25.00 in
Z Axis	22.00 in
Spindle	S.A.E
Max Rating	30.0 hp
Max Speed	8100 rpm
Max Torque	90.0 ft-lbf @ 2000 rpm
Drive System	Inline Direct-Drive
Taper	CT40 \| BT40 \| HSK-A63
Bearing Lubrication	Air / Oil Injection
Cooling	Air Cooled
Integrated 4th Axis	S.A.E
90 Rotation Time	3 sec
Max Weight On Platter	880 lb
Rotational Torque	575 Nm
Backlash	30 arc-sec
Gear Ratio	106:1
Brake Torque	2500 ft-lbf
Min Resolution	0.001 °
Indexing Accuracy	± 15 arc-sec
Repeatability	10 arc-sec
Rapids On B	150 °/sec
Feedrates	S.A.E
Max Cutting	833 ipm
Rapids On X	1400 ipm
Rapids On Y	1400 ipm
Rapids On Z	1400 ipm
Axis Motors	S.A.E
Max Thrust X	3380 lbf
Max Thrust Y	2810 lbf
Max Thrust Z	3380 lbf
Pallet Changer	S.A.E
Pallet Quantity	2
Pallet Length	15.75 in
Pallet Width	15.75 in
General	S.A.E
Tool Changer	S.A.E
Type	SMTC
Capacity	30+1
Max Tool Diameter	2.5 in
Max Tool Diameter Large	5.0 in
Max Tool Length	12.00 in
Max Tool Weight	12.0 lb
Air Requirements	S.A.E
Air Required	9 scfm @ 100 psi
Inline Air Hose	1/2 in
Coupler	1/2 in
Air Pressure Min	100 psi
Electrical Specification	S.A.E
Input Ac Voltage Low	220 VAC
Full Load Amps Low	70 A
Input Ac Voltage High	440 VAC
Full Load Amps High	35 A
Dimensions Shipping	S.A.E
Domestic Pallet	202.0 in x 100.0 in x 112.0 in
Export Crate	176.0 in x 92.0 in x 101.0 in
Axis Travels	559 x 635 x 559 mm
Maximum Optional Spindle Speed	15,000 rpm
Tool Changer Capacity	30+1
Optional Tool Changer Capacity	50+1, 100+1
Rapids	35.6 m/min
Maximum Feedrate	21.2 m/min
Maximum Weight On Pallet	400 kg

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Lowest entry price for a production-grade dual-pallet HMC, starting around $120K versus $300K+ for comparable Japanese machines
400 kg (880 lb) pallet load capacity handles serious tombstone setups for steel and cast iron work
3.6-second chip-to-chip and 2.8-second tool-to-tool times keep cycle times competitive for production runs
Optional 6-station pallet pool with priority-based scheduling enables true lights-out production from the Haas control
100+1 side-mount tool changer option supports high-mix production without manual tool loading between jobs
360 L (95 gal) coolant tank is larger than most 400mm-class HMCs, supporting high-pressure through-spindle coolant and extended unattended runs
Haas control has the largest installed base in North America, making it easy to find operators, programmers, and troubleshooting resources

Limitations

8,100 RPM standard spindle is slower than competitors like the Makino A51nx (14,000 RPM) or Okuma MB-5000HII (15,000 RPM), limiting aluminum surface speeds without the optional spindle upgrade
Pallet load drops to 227 kg (500 lb) with the pallet pool installed, which limits fixture weight for heavier tombstone configurations in lights-out mode
Forum users report the electrical cabinet runs hot, especially in warmer shop environments, and thermal stability doesn't match Japanese-built HMCs
CAT 40 taper limits heavy cutting force compared to CAT 50 options available on larger Haas EC-series machines
15-second pallet change time is slower than premium HMCs from Makino or Okuma that swap pallets in under 10 seconds

Best For

Job shops adding their first horizontal machining center and needing a lower-cost entry point than Japanese builders Production environments running tombstone setups on dual pallets for mid-volume automotive or industrial components Shops already running Haas verticals that want HMC capability without retraining operators on a new control platform Lights-out cells pairing the EC-400 with the 6-station pallet pool for unattended multi-pallet production Contract manufacturers processing aluminum and mild steel parts that don't require extreme thermal stability Small to mid-size shops looking to boost spindle utilization without the $300K+ investment of premium HMCs

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Haas EC-400 cost?

Base price starts around $119,995 from Haas Factory Outlets. Adding options like the 15,000 RPM spindle, 100+1 tool changer, through-spindle coolant, and pallet pool can push the configured price to $150,000-$175,000. Used EC-400s from 2019-2023 sell for $150,000-$240,000. Older pre-redesign models from the 2000s trade for $25,000-$40,000.

02 How does the EC-400 compare to the Makino A51nx?

The A51nx is a premium 500mm HMC with a 14,000 RPM spindle, superior thermal stability, and tighter tolerances. It also costs roughly 3x more. The EC-400 wins on price and ease of use with the Haas control. If you're running tight-tolerance aerospace work, the A51nx is the better machine. For general production and job shop work, the EC-400 delivers solid capability at a fraction of the cost.

03 Is the pallet pool worth the investment?

If you're running production volumes that can keep the spindle busy across multiple setups, the 6-station pallet pool pays for itself through unattended operation. Keep in mind the max pallet load drops from 400 kg to 227 kg with the pool, so factor fixture weight into your decision. For low-volume or single-setup work, the standard dual-pallet system is usually sufficient.

04 What changed in the EC-400 redesign?

Haas rebuilt the EC-400 from the ground up around 2018. Key changes include all-new castings for better rigidity, 5 additional inches of Y-axis travel, a redesigned belt-type chip evacuation system, the option for a 100-pocket tool changer, and a bigger 360 L coolant tank. Forum users confirm it's a significant improvement over the pre-2018 models.

05 Can the EC-400 run unattended?

Yes, it's designed for it. The dual-pallet changer lets you load one pallet while the other runs. Add the 6-station pallet pool for extended unattended operation with automatic pallet scheduling. Tool life management and probing options support lights-out work, though shops recommend thorough prove-out before running unattended.

06 What spindle option should I choose?

The standard 8,100 RPM spindle handles most steel and iron work fine. If you're cutting aluminum or need faster surface speeds, the 12,000 or 15,000 RPM option is worth the upgrade. The higher-speed spindles also improve cycle times on finishing passes across all materials. Haas also offers CT40, BT40, and HSK-A63 taper options depending on your tooling.