Haas Automation Vertical Machining Centers

Haas VM-3-50

$145,000 - $185,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

X Travel

1,016 mm (40 in)

Y Travel

660 mm (26 in)

Z Travel

635 mm (25 in)

Max Spindle

10000 rpm

Spindle Taper

CT or BT 50

Tool Capacity

30+1 SMTC

Overview

The Haas VM-3-50 is the 50-taper version of the VM-3 mold machine, upgrading from the standard 40-taper to a CT/BT 50 spindle for shops that need maximum tool rigidity and torque on medium-to-large molds. With the same 1,016 x 660 x 635 mm (40 x 26 x 25 in) travel as the VM-3, the -50 variant targets heavy roughing in tool steels and large-diameter cutter work that pushes beyond what a 40-taper can reliably handle.

The 50-taper inline direct-drive spindle runs at 7,500 RPM with 22.4 kW (30 hp) and delivers significantly more torque than the 40-taper version, supporting large face mills, heavy shell mills, and aggressive roughing strategies in P20, H13, and S7 tool steels. The 50-taper tool holding virtually eliminates tool pull-out on heavy cuts.

The table matches the VM-3 at 1,372 x 610 mm (54 x 24 in) with 13 T-slots in Y and 6 in X on 100 mm centers, providing the same versatile clamping grid for mold work. Table load capacity is 1,814 kg (4,000 lb). Spindle nose to table clearance ranges from 107 mm to 742 mm (4.2 to 29.2 in), accommodating tall mold bases and deep cavity work.

The 30+1 SMTC handles the larger 50-taper tooling, posting 4.2-second tool-to-tool and 5.0-second chip-to-chip averages. Rapids run at 15.2 m/min (600 ipm) on all axes. The machine weighs approximately 7,484 kg (16,500 lb), providing substantial mass for vibration damping during heavy cuts.

At approximately $145,000-$185,000 configured, the VM-3-50 costs roughly $15K-$20K more than the 40-taper VM-3. For mold shops that do significant roughing with large-diameter tools or run heavy interrupted cuts in hardened steel, the 50-taper's rigidity and torque advantage justifies the premium. Shops focused primarily on finishing should stay with the VM-3's 12,000 RPM 40-taper spindle.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	1,016 mm (40 in)
Y-Axis Travel	660 mm (26 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	10000 rpm
Spindle Taper	CT or BT 50
Spindle Motor Power	60.0 hp
Spindle Torque Max	339 Nm (250 ft-lbf) @ 500 RPM
Spindle Drive	Inline Direct-Drive
Tool Capacity	30+1 SMTC
Tool To Tool	4.20 s
Chip To Chip	6.30 s
Max Tool Diameter	4.0 in
Max Tool Weight	30.0 lb
Max Tool Length	16.00 in
Table Size	1,372 x 610 mm (54 x 24 in)
Table Load Max	1,814 kg (4,000 lb)
T Slots	13 in Y, 6 in X, 100 mm (3.94 in) center distance
Max Cutting Feedrate	12.7 m/min (500 ipm)
Rapid Traverse X	15.2 m/min (600 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Y	15.2 m/min (600 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Z	15.2 m/min (600 ipm)
Max Thrust X	4100 lbf
Max Thrust Y	4100 lbf
Max Thrust Z	5600 lbf
Machine Weight	7,484 kg (16,500 lb)
CNC Control	Haas Next Generation Control (NGC)
Coolant Capacity	55 gal
Air Required	4 scfm @ 100 psi
Electrical Low	220 VAC 3-phase, 100 A
Electrical High	440 VAC 3-phase, 50 A
Travels	S.A.E
X Axis	40.00 in
Y Axis	26.00 in
Z Axis	25.00 in
Spindle Nose To Table	7.9 in
Spindle	S.A.E
Max Rating	60.0 hp
Max Speed	10000 rpm
Max Torque	350.0 ft-lbf @ 900 rpm
Drive System	2-Speed Gearbox
Taper	CT or BT 50
Bearing Lubrication	Air / Oil Injection
Cooling	Coolant Jacket
Table	S.A.E
Length	54.0 in
Width	24.5 in
T Slot Width	0.626 in to 0.630 in
T Slot Center Distance	3.94 in
Number Of Std T Slots	13 in Y and 6 in X
Max Weight On Table	4000 lb
Feedrates	S.A.E
Max Cutting	500 ipm
Rapids On X	710 ipm
Rapids On Y	710 ipm
Rapids On Z	710 ipm
Axis Motors	S.A.E
Tool Changer	S.A.E
Type	SMTC
Capacity	30+1
Max Tool Diameter Large	7.0 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	105 A
Input Ac Voltage High	440 VAC
Full Load Amps High	53 A
Dimensions Shipping	S.A.E
Domestic Pallet	156.0 in x 102.0 in x 105.0 in
Export Pallet	164.0 in x 91.5 in x 101.0 in
Machine Weight	12720 lb
Domestic Pallet W 501 Smtc	156 in x 102 in x 125 in
Export Pallet W 501 Smtc	164 in x 92 in x 101 in
Weight W 501 Smtc	15600 lb
Haas Rotary	HAAS MACHINE
Ha2ts	VM-3/50
Ha5c	VM-3/50
Ha5c T	VM-3/50
Ha5c2	VM-3/50
Ha5c2 T	VM-3/50
Ha5c3	VM-3/50
Ha5c3 T	VM-3/50
Ha5c4	VM-3/50
Ha5c4 T	VM-3/50
Ha5cs	VM-3/50
Hqda5	VM-3/50
Hrc160	VM-3/50
Hrc210	VM-3/50
Hrt100	VM-3/50
Hrt160	VM-3/50
Hrt160 2	VM-3/50
Hrt160sp	VM-3/50
Hrt160ss	VM-3/50
Hrt200hs	VM-3/50
Hrt210	VM-3/50
Hrt210 2	VM-3/50
Hrt210ht	VM-3/50
Hrt210m	VM-3/50
Hrt210sp	VM-3/50
Hrt210ss	VM-3/50
Hrt210vm	VM-3/50
Hrt310	VM-3/50
Hrt310sp	VM-3/50
Hrt310ss	VM-3/50
Hrt450	VM-3/50
Hrta5	VM-3/50
Hrta6	VM-3/50
Lt260	VM-3/50
Lt350	VM-3/50
T5c	VM-3/50
T5c2	VM-3/50
T5c3	VM-3/50
T5c4	VM-3/50
Th240	VM-3/50
Th450	VM-3/50
Tr160	VM-3/50
Tr160 2	VM-3/50
Tr200y	VM-3/50
Tr210	VM-3/50
Tr310	VM-3/50
Trt100	VM-3/50
Trt160	VM-3/50
Trt210	VM-3/50
Trt310	VM-3/50
Trt70	VM-3/50

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

50-taper spindle provides maximum tool rigidity for large face mills and heavy roughing in tool steels
Same 40 x 26 x 25 inch travel envelope as the VM-3 handles medium-to-large mold bases
1,814 kg (4,000 lb) table load supports the heaviest mold bases without concern
Higher torque output enables aggressive roughing strategies that reduce cycle time on large molds
7,484 kg machine mass provides excellent vibration damping for chatter-free cuts in hardened steel
13+6 cross T-slot table provides exceptional clamping flexibility for irregular mold geometries

Limitations

7,500 RPM max spindle speed limits high-speed finishing strategies compared to the 12,000 RPM 40-taper VM-3
50-taper tool changes are slower at 4.2 seconds tool-to-tool versus 2.8 seconds on the VM-3
600 ipm rapids add non-cutting time on long-traverse programs across the 40-inch X travel
50-taper tooling costs more and weighs more than 40-taper equivalents

Best For

Mold shops doing heavy roughing in P20, H13, and S7 tool steels with large-diameter cutters Injection mold and die casting die work where tool pull-out risk on heavy cuts is a concern Shops standardized on 50-taper tooling that need a mold-focused VMC in the VM-3 travel range Large stamping die roughing where maximum tool rigidity and torque outweigh high-speed finishing Mold base and core block roughing operations where material removal rate is the priority

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between the VM-3-50 and the VM-3?

Same travel, same table, same work envelope. The VM-3-50 uses a 50-taper spindle running at 7,500 RPM with higher torque, while the VM-3 uses a 40-taper at 12,000 RPM. The -50 is for heavy roughing; the standard VM-3 is better for high-speed finishing.

02 What does a Haas VM-3-50 cost?

Base price is approximately $145,000, about $15K more than the 40-taper VM-3. With through-spindle coolant, probing, and upgraded tool changer, expect $165,000-$185,000.

03 Should I choose the VM-3 or VM-3-50?

If you do mostly finishing and need higher RPM for fine surface work, choose the VM-3 with its 12,000 RPM spindle. If you do heavy roughing with large shell mills in tool steel, the VM-3-50's 50-taper rigidity and torque are worth the premium.

04 Can I use the VM-3-50 for finishing work?

Yes, but the 7,500 RPM ceiling limits surface speed on smaller-diameter finishing tools. Many shops rough on the VM-3-50 and finish on a 40-taper or HSK machine. For combined rough and finish on one machine, the 40-taper VM-3 is more versatile.