Haas Automation Vertical Machining Centers

Haas VS-3

$476,995 - $560,000 Updated 2026-03-12

Key Specifications

X Travel

3,810 mm (150 in)

Y Travel

1,270 mm (50 in)

Z Travel

1,270 mm (50 in)

Max Spindle

7,500 RPM

Spindle Taper

CT or BT 50

Tool Capacity

50+1 SMTC

Overview

The Haas VS-3 is a 50-taper extra-large vertical machining center with 3,810 x 1,270 x 1,270 mm (150 x 50 x 50 in) of travel. That is a staggering work envelope for a single-spindle VMC, and it puts the VS-3 in a class of machines typically associated with horizontal boring mills and large gantry mills. The VS in the name signals this is a very large surface-type machine, and the 3 designates the generation.

The spindle is a 22.4 kW (30 hp) unit with a 2-speed gearbox running to 7,500 RPM and delivering 460 Nm (340 ft-lbf) of torque at 700 RPM. That torque number through the gearbox is exceptional and makes the VS-3 a legitimate heavy metal cutter in steel, cast iron, and titanium. The CT/BT 50 taper provides the tool clamping force needed for large-diameter face mills and heavy roughing tools.

The table measures 3,886 x 1,245 mm (153 x 49 in) and holds 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) of evenly distributed load. That table capacity handles large weldments, castings, mold bases, and structural components that would overwhelm smaller machines. The 50+1 SMTC carries enough tools for complex multi-operation jobs, though tool-to-tool time at 6.0 seconds and chip-to-chip at 15.0 seconds reflect the size and weight of 50-taper tooling.

Rapids run at 9.1 m/min (360 ipm) on X and 15.2 m/min (600 ipm) on Y and Z. These are not racing numbers, but for a machine cutting 150 inches of X-travel in heavy materials, the axis motors with 17,793 N of thrust on X and Y and 28,024 N on Z provide the force needed for aggressive material removal. Coolant capacity is 360 L (95 gal). The VS-3 ships in two assemblies (column and table) given its size. For shops that need to machine parts over 3 meters long in a vertical orientation without going to a horizontal boring mill, the VS-3 is one of the few options in this price range. Specs sourced from Haas Automation published data.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	3,810 mm (150 in)
Y-Axis Travel	1,270 mm (50 in)
Z-Axis Travel	1,270 mm (50 in)
Spindle Nose To Table Max	1,397 mm (55 in)
Spindle Nose To Table Min	127 mm (5 in)
Max Spindle Speed	7,500 RPM
Spindle Taper	CT or BT 50
Spindle Motor Power	30.0 hp
Spindle Torque Max	460 Nm (340 ft-lbf) @ 700 RPM
Spindle Drive	2-Speed Gearbox
Spindle Bearing Lubrication	Air / Oil Injection
Tool Capacity	50+1 SMTC
Tool To Tool	6.00 s
Chip To Chip	15.00 s
Max Tool Diameter	4.0 in
Max Tool Weight	30.0 lb
Table Size	3,886 x 1,245 mm (153 x 49 in)
Table Load Max	4,536 kg (10,000 lb)
Max Cutting Feedrate	9.1 m/min (360 ipm)
Rapid Traverse X	9.1 m/min (360 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Y	15.2 m/min (600 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Z	15.2 m/min (600 ipm)
Max Thrust X	4000 lbf
Max Thrust Y	4000 lbf
Max Thrust Z	6300 lbf
Machine Weight	20,702 kg (45,640 lb) combined
CNC Control	Haas Next Generation Control (NGC)
Coolant Capacity	95 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	150.00 in
Y Axis	50.00 in
Z Axis	50.00 in
Spindle Nose To Table	5.0 in
Spindle	S.A.E
Max Rating	30.0 hp
Max Speed	7500 rpm
Max Torque	340.0 ft-lbf @ 700 rpm
Drive System	2-Speed Gearbox
Taper	CT or BT 50
Bearing Lubrication	Air / Oil Injection
Table	S.A.E
Length	153.0 in
Width	49.0 in
Thickness	1.9 in
Max Weight On Table	10000 lb
Feedrates	S.A.E
Max Cutting	360 ipm
Rapids On X	360 ipm
Rapids On Y	600 ipm
Rapids On Z	600 ipm
Axis Motors	S.A.E
Tool Changer	S.A.E
Type	SMTC
Capacity	50+1
Max Tool Diameter Large	10.0 in
Max Tool Length	16.00 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 For Sheet Metal Crate	89 in x 57 in x 50 in
Weight For Sheet Metal Crate	720 lb
Domestic Pallet Column Assembly	180 in x 102 in x 146 in
Domestic Pallet Table Assembly	376 in x 82 in x 99 in
Weight Column Assembly Domestic	23,060 lb
Weight Table Assembly Domestic	22,580 lb
Haas Rotary	HAAS MACHINE
Hrt1000	VS-3
Hrt200hs	VS-3
Hrt210vm	VS-3
Hrt450	VS-3
Hrt630	VS-3
Hrt800	VS-3
Tr310	VS-3
Tr500ss	VS-3

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

150 inches of X-travel handles workpieces over 3 meters long in a vertical machining orientation
460 Nm (340 ft-lbf) of torque through the 2-speed gearbox makes this a legitimate heavy metal cutter in steel and cast iron
10,000 lb table load capacity accommodates large weldments, castings, and mold bases without concern
50-taper spindle provides the tool clamping force needed for large-diameter face mills and heavy roughing
50+1 SMTC keeps enough tools on hand for complex multi-operation jobs on large workpieces
NGC control keeps the operator interface consistent with every other Haas in the shop

Limitations

7,500 RPM max spindle speed limits high-speed finishing with small tools; shops needing more RPM should consider the VS-3-5AX with its 20K spindle
15-second chip-to-chip time reflects the size of 50-taper tooling but adds up on jobs with many tool changes
Ships in two separate assemblies (column and table), requiring significant rigging and installation planning
Base price near $477K is a major investment, though it undercuts horizontal boring mills with similar capacity
9.1 m/min X-axis rapids are slow relative to 40-taper machines, adding traverse time on long parts

Best For

Shops machining large weldments and structural steel components over 2 meters long Mold base manufacturing requiring heavy material removal on large blocks Energy sector components including turbine housings, valve bodies, and manifolds Aerospace structural parts and large fixture plates that exceed standard VMC capacity Job shops that need vertical boring mill capability without the cost and complexity of a true HBM Heavy equipment manufacturers machining cast iron and steel frames

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Haas VS-3 cost?

Base price starts at around $476,995. With options like through-spindle coolant, probing, and chip management upgrades, a production-ready VS-3 runs $520,000 to $560,000.

02 How much floor space does the VS-3 need?

The machine ships in two assemblies. The column assembly pallet measures 457 x 259 x 370 cm and the table assembly pallet is 955 x 208 x 251 cm. Plan for a minimum clear area of 12 x 5 meters to accommodate the machine and operator access.

03 Can the VS-3 handle titanium?

Yes. The 50-taper spindle with 460 Nm of torque and 28,024 N of Z-axis thrust provides the rigidity and power for titanium roughing with carbide tooling. The 2-speed gearbox delivers peak torque at 700 RPM, which is in the right range for titanium SFM requirements.

04 What is the difference between the VS-3 and VS-3-5AX?

The VS-3 is a 3-axis machine with a 50-taper 7,500 RPM gearbox spindle. The VS-3-5AX adds B and C rotary axes with a 20,000 RPM HSK-A63 integral spindle for simultaneous 5-axis work. The VS-3 is for heavy 3-axis metal cutting; the VS-3-5AX is for 5-axis profiling in composites and aluminum.

05 How does the VS-3 compare to a horizontal boring mill?

The VS-3 provides similar X and Z travel to many horizontal boring mills at roughly half the price. The trade-off is that the VS-3 is a vertical spindle machine, which limits access to certain part features that a horizontal spindle can reach. For parts that work in a vertical orientation, the VS-3 is a compelling value.