Hardinge Elite 51 MS
This model was not found in Hardinge's current lineup when we checked on 2026-10-03 . It may be a superseded or older model; the specifications below are as we last recorded them.
Key Specifications
X Travel
Z Travel
Max Turn Length
chuck size
max turning diameter
bar capacity
How much does the Hardinge Elite 51 MS cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a cnc lathes / turning center in this class — not a quote from Hardinge. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
Listed with a main spindle, a sub-spindle and a live-tool turret, the Hardinge Elite 51 MS is laid out to take a part from bar to finished on both faces without a second setup. Bar capacity is 51 mm (2 in), the chuck is a 200 mm (8 in) hydraulic unit, and the working envelope is 356 mm (14 in) in turning diameter by 508 mm (20 in) in turning length.
Power is where the two spindles part ways. The main spindle carries 15 kW (20 HP) continuous at up to 5,000 RPM; the sub-spindle reaches the same 5,000 RPM on 7.5 kW (10 HP). Put the heavy stock removal in the first operation and keep the pick-off side to facing, back-boring and finishing passes. No spindle torque figure is listed, so low-speed roughing capacity cannot be judged from the table alone.
Milling comes from the 12-station VDI turret, whose live tools turn at 5,000 RPM, working with a C-axis on each spindle. X travel is 200 mm (7.87 in) and Z travel 508 mm (20 in), on hardened and ground box ways that favour damping over speed: rapid traverse is 20 m/min (787 IPM) in X and 24 m/min (945 IPM) in Z.
For bar work the spindle nose is A2-6 and 16C collet-ready, with collet runout given as 3 microns (0.00012 in) or better. A Fanuc 0i-TF Plus control is listed, and the machine weighs 4,200 kg (9,259 lb). Take the listed figures as a starting point and check them on the nameplate and manuals of any machine you are offered.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Chuck Size | 200 mm (8 in) hydraulic |
| Max Turning Diameter | 356 mm (14 in) |
| Max Turning Length | 508 mm (20 in) |
| Bar Capacity | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Spindle Nose | A2-6 |
| Main Spindle Speed | 5,000 RPM |
| Main Spindle Power | 15 kW (20 HP) continuous |
| Sub Spindle Speed | 5,000 RPM |
| Sub Spindle Power | 7.5 kW (10 HP) |
| C Axis | Main and sub-spindle |
| X-Axis Travel | 200 mm (7.87 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 508 mm (20 in) |
| Rapid Traverse X | 20 m/min (787 IPM) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 24 m/min (945 IPM) |
| Turret | 12-station VDI (live tooling) |
| Live Tool Speed | 5,000 RPM |
| Guideway Type | Hardened and ground box ways |
| Collet System | 16C collet-ready |
| Collet Tir | 3 microns (0.00012 in) or better |
| CNC Control | Fanuc 0i-TF Plus |
| Machine Weight | 4,200 kg (9,259 lb) |
Specifications compiled from manufacturer literature and industry references. Not independently verified against a published spec sheet — confirm with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before making a purchasing decision.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Sub-spindle with its own C-axis, so the cut-off face can be turned, drilled and milled in the same cycle
- Live tools at 5,000 RPM in a 12-station VDI turret
- Collet runout given as 3 microns (0.00012 in) or better on a 16C collet-ready spindle
- 15 kW (20 HP) continuous on the main spindle for first-operation roughing
Limitations
- Sub-spindle power is 7.5 kW (10 HP) against 15 kW (20 HP) on the main spindle, which limits back-end roughing
- No spindle torque is listed, so heavy low-speed cuts cannot be checked against the table
- Box-way rapids of 20 m/min (787 IPM) in X and 24 m/min (945 IPM) in Z add non-cutting time on short-cycle parts
- Bar stock above 51 mm (2 in) will not pass through the spindle and must be loaded as sawn blanks
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Both are listed at 5,000 RPM. The main spindle has 15 kW (20 HP) continuous on an A2-6 nose; the sub-spindle has 7.5 kW (10 HP). C-axis is listed for both. In practice the main spindle does the roughing and the sub-spindle finishes the back of the part after pick-off.
02
The listed maximum turning diameter is 356 mm (14 in) and the maximum turning length is 508 mm (20 in). Bar fed through the spindle is limited to 51 mm (2 in); anything larger is held in the 200 mm (8 in) hydraulic chuck. Long parts also have to leave room for the sub-spindle to approach.
03
Yes, within limits. The 12-station VDI turret is listed with live tooling at 5,000 RPM and each spindle has a C-axis. No Y-axis appears in the listed figures, so features off the centreline depend on C-axis and X interpolation. Live-tool power is not given.
04
Machine weight is listed as 4,200 kg (9,259 lb), so check floor capacity and lifting equipment before it arrives. The control is listed as a Fanuc 0i-TF Plus. Guideways are hardened and ground box ways.
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