Haas Automation Vertical Machining Centers

Haas VF-3SS

$88,000 - $115,000 Updated 2026-03-12

Key Specifications

X Travel

1,016 mm (40 in)

Y Travel

508 mm (20 in)

Z Travel

635 mm (25 in)

Max Spindle

12,000 RPM

Spindle Taper

CT40 / BT40 / HSK-A63

Tool Capacity

30+1 SMTC

Overview

The Haas VF-3SS is a Super Speed version of the VF-3 frame, purpose-built for shops that cut mostly aluminum and need faster cycle times without leaving the 40-taper platform. The SS designation means 12,000 RPM spindle speed, 35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm) rapids, and a side-mount tool changer with 1.8-second tool-to-tool and 2.4-second chip-to-chip times. Those numbers put the VF-3SS in a different performance class than the standard VF-3.

Travel is 1,016 x 508 x 635 mm (40 x 20 x 25 in), which gives you a solid mid-size work envelope for parts up to about 40 inches long. The 1,219 x 457 mm (48 x 18 in) table supports 794 kg (1,750 lb) of load across 5 T-slots on 80 mm centers. That table is narrower than the standard VF-3's 18-inch width, but the narrower profile contributes to the higher rapid traverse rates.

The spindle runs the same 22.4 kW (30 hp) inline direct-drive unit as the standard VF series, but wound for 12,000 RPM. Torque is 122 Nm (90 ft-lbf) at 2,000 RPM, identical to the standard models. No gearbox option is available on the SS models, which makes sense since the target application is high-speed aluminum, not heavy steel roughing.

Max cutting feedrate is 21.2 m/min (833 ipm), nearly double the standard VF-3's capability. The SMTC holds 30+1 tools with the faster 1.8/2.4-second change times. Axis thrust is slightly lower than the standard models at 13,723 N (3,085 lbf) on X and Y, and 17,450 N (3,925 lbf) on Z.

At 5,316 kg (11,720 lb), the VF-3SS is lighter than the standard VF-3, which is a direct trade-off for speed. Starting at around $88,000, it costs roughly $20K more than a standard VF-3 but delivers significantly faster cycle times in aluminum. For shops that run mixed materials, the VF-2SS with its lower price point may be worth considering. Specs sourced from Haas Automation published data.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	1,016 mm (40 in)
Y-Axis Travel	508 mm (20 in)
Z-Axis Travel	635 mm (25 in)
Spindle Nose To Table Max	742 mm (29.2 in)
Spindle Nose To Table Min	107 mm (4.2 in)
Max Spindle Speed	12,000 RPM
Spindle Taper	CT40 / BT40 / HSK-A63
Spindle Motor Power	30.0 hp
Spindle Torque Max	122 Nm (90 ft-lbf) @ 2,000 RPM
Spindle Drive	Inline Direct-Drive
Spindle Cooling	Liquid Cooled
Tool Capacity	30+1 SMTC
Tool To Tool	1.80 s
Chip To Chip	2.40 s
Max Tool Diameter	2.5 in
Max Tool Weight	12.0 lb
Max Tool Length	13.00 in
Table Size	1,219 x 457 mm (48 x 18 in)
Table Load Max	794 kg (1,750 lb)
T Slots	5 slots, 80 mm (3.15 in) center distance
Max Cutting Feedrate	21.2 m/min (833 ipm)
Rapid Traverse X	35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Y	35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Z	35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm)
Max Thrust X	3085 lbf
Max Thrust Y	3085 lbf
Max Thrust Z	3923 lbf
Machine Weight	5,316 kg (11,720 lb)
CNC Control	Haas Next Generation Control (NGC)
Coolant Capacity	55 gal
Air Required	4 scfm @ 100 psi
Electrical Low	220 VAC 3-phase, 70 A
Electrical High	440 VAC 3-phase, 35 A
Travels	S.A.E
X Axis	40.00 in
Y Axis	20.00 in
Z Axis	25.00 in
Spindle Nose To Table	4.2 in
Spindle	S.A.E
Max Rating	30.0 hp
Max Speed	12000 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	Liquid Cooled
Table	S.A.E
Length	48.0 in
Width	18.0 in
T Slot Width	0.626 in to 0.630 in
T Slot Center Distance	3.15 in
Number Of Std T Slots	5
Max Weight On Table	1750 lb
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
Tool Changer	S.A.E
Type	SMTC
Capacity	30+1
Max Tool Diameter Large	5.0 in
General	S.A.E
Air Requirements	S.A.E
Inline Air Hose	3/8 in
Coupler	3/8 in
Air Pressure Min	80 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	152.0 in x 99.0 in x 106.0 in
Export Pallet	131.0 in x 91.5 in x 101.0 in
Machine Weight	11720 lb
Domestic Pallet W Conveyor	152 in x 99 in x 106 in
Export Pallet W Conveyor	163 in x 92 in x 101 in
Weight W Conveyor	13800 lb
Domestic Pallet W 501 Smtc	152 in x 99 in x 122 in
Export Pallet W 501 Smtc	131 in x 92 in x 101 in
Weight W 501 Smtc	12180 lb
Domestic Pallet W Conveyor 501 Smtc	152 in x 99 in x 122 in
Export Pallet W Conveyor 501 Smtc	163 in x 92 in x 101 in
Domestic Pallet W 701 Smtc	152.0 in x 99.0 in x 134.5 in
Export Crate W 701 Smtc	152.0 in x 101.5 in x 141.5 in
Weight W 701 Smtc	13,840 lb
Weight W Conveyor 501 Smtc	12680 lb
Haas Rotary	HAAS MACHINE
Ha2ts	VF-3SS
Ha5c	VF-3SS
Ha5c T	VF-3SS
Ha5c2	VF-3SS
Ha5c2 T	VF-3SS
Ha5c3	VF-3SS
Ha5c3 T	VF-3SS
Ha5c4	VF-3SS
Ha5c4 T	VF-3SS
Ha5cs	VF-3SS
Hqda5	VF-3SS
Hrc160	VF-3SS
Hrc210	VF-3SS
Hrt160	VF-3SS
Hrt160 2	VF-3SS
Hrt160sp	VF-3SS
Hrt160ss	VF-3SS
Hrt200hs	VF-3SS
Hrt210	VF-3SS
Hrt210 2	VF-3SS
Hrt210ht	VF-3SS
Hrt210m	VF-3SS
Hrt210sp	VF-3SS
Hrt210ss	VF-3SS
Hrt210vm	VF-3SS
Hrt310	VF-3SS
Hrt310sp	VF-3SS
Hrt310ss	VF-3SS
Hrta5	VF-3SS
Hrta6	VF-3SS
Lt260	VF-3SS
Lt350	VF-3SS
T5c	VF-3SS
T5c2	VF-3SS
T5c3	VF-3SS
T5c4	VF-3SS
Th240	VF-3SS
Tr160	VF-3SS
Tr160 2	VF-3SS
Tr200y	VF-3SS
Tr210	VF-3SS
Trt100	VF-3SS
Trt160	VF-3SS
Trt210	VF-3SS
Trt70	VF-3SS

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

12,000 RPM spindle and 35.6 m/min (1,400 ipm) rapids deliver significantly faster cycle times in aluminum than the standard VF-3
1.8-second tool-to-tool and 2.4-second chip-to-chip on the SMTC cut non-cutting time nearly in half versus carousel changers
30 hp spindle with 122 Nm of torque still handles steel and stainless work when needed
40 inches of X-travel covers the same part sizes as the standard VF-3 at much higher speeds
Starting at $88K, it's the most affordable entry point into the Haas SS lineup with VF-3-class travels
Optional 50+1 and 70+1 SMTC configurations available for tool-intensive jobs

Limitations

794 kg (1,750 lb) table load is less than half the standard VF-3's capacity, limiting heavy fixture setups
Lighter machine weight at 5,316 kg means less rigidity for aggressive steel roughing compared to standard VF models
No gearbox option available for heavy torque applications below 450 RPM
Narrower 80mm T-slot spacing differs from the standard 125mm spacing, which may affect fixture compatibility
13-inch max tool length is shorter than the 16-inch limit on standard VF models

Best For

Aluminum-focused shops running high-speed 2D and 3D contouring on aerospace parts, housings, and enclosures Production shops where cycle time reduction in aluminum directly translates to profit margin improvement Job shops that run 70%+ aluminum and want SS speeds with VF-3 travel capability Medical device and electronics manufacturers machining aluminum components at high speeds Shops upgrading from a standard VF-3 or VF-2 that need faster throughput without changing part programs

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What's the difference between the VF-3SS and the VF-2SS?

The VF-3SS has 40 inches of X-travel versus 30 inches on the VF-2SS. Both share 12,000 RPM spindles, 1,400 ipm rapids, and the same SMTC. The VF-3SS costs about $20K more but covers significantly larger parts. If your parts fit within 30 inches of X, the VF-2SS saves money.

02 Can the VF-3SS handle steel work?

Yes. The 30 hp spindle delivers 122 Nm of torque at 2,000 RPM, the same as every 40-taper VF model. It will cut steel, stainless, and even titanium. But the lighter machine weight and higher-speed spindle design make it less rigid than a standard VF-3 for heavy steel roughing. It's optimized for aluminum-primary shops.

03 How much faster is the VF-3SS than a standard VF-3?

The VF-3SS runs nearly 50% faster spindle speed (12K vs 8.1K RPM), 40% faster rapids (1,400 vs 1,000 ipm), and nearly twice the cutting feedrate (833 vs 500 ipm). Tool changes are about 40% faster. On aluminum parts, cycle time reductions of 20-40% are typical depending on the operation mix.

04 Is the 70+1 SMTC worth the upgrade?

For shops running complex multi-operation parts or managing multiple part numbers without manual tool changes, the 70+1 SMTC can pay for itself in reduced setup time. It adds weight and height to the machine but eliminates the need to swap tools between jobs. Most shops find the 30+1 sufficient for standard work.