Hartford Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)

Hartford HCMC-1100

Q: How much does the Hartford HCMC-1100 cost?

The price estimate for the Hartford HCMC-1100 is uncertain: we have no price for it that we can cite and no estimate we can stand behind, so we give no figure. Configuration, tooling, automation and installation move the final price substantially. A specific price can be requested at https://machinetoolindex.com/machines/hartford-hcmc-1100#price; the request is passed to Hartford or an authorised dealer.

Specs verified 2026-10-04 · hartfordcnc.com Updated 2026-10-04

Image: hartfordcnc.com, Hartford

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

#40 / #50

Tool Capacity

#40: A: 24 (30 / 40); #50: A: 24 (32) pcs

Table Size

1,270 x 600 mm (50.0 x 23.6 in)

Spindle Power

#40: 7.5 / 11 opt. 11 / 15; 15 / 18.5 #50: 11 / 15 opt. 15 / 18.5 kW (Cont. / 30 min)

max table load

1,200 kg (2,646 lb)

x axis travel

1,100 mm (43.3 in)

How much does the Hartford HCMC-1100 cost?

Price estimate

Uncertain

We do not have a price for the Hartford HCMC-1100 that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.

Overview

The Hartford HCMC-1100 is a box-guideway vertical machining center for heavy cutting, offered with a #40 or a #50 spindle. X travel is 1,100 mm (43.3 in), Y is 600 mm (23.6 in) and Z is 630 mm (24.8 in). Hartford markets the HCMC line under the name Super Tornado.

It is the smallest HCMC and the entry point to Hartford's box-way machines with a 50-taper option. The 1,270 x 600 mm (50.0 x 23.6 in) table carries 1,200 kg (2,646 lb), a higher rating than Hartford's linear-guide machines of similar travel.

Three spindle types are listed. The gear-head spindle runs 6,000 / 8,000 rpm in either taper and uses a two-step gear transmission in a gearbox Hartford builds itself. A pulley spindle at 8,000 / 10,000 / 12,000 rpm is listed for #40 only. DDS direct-drive spindles reach 10,000 / 15,000 rpm in #40 and 10,000 / 12,000 rpm in #50. Motors are 7.5 / 11 kW with 11 / 15 kW and 15 / 18.5 kW options for #40, and 11 / 15 kW with a 15 / 18.5 kW option for #50 (Cont. / 30 min).

Box ways bring damping and also friction. Hartford's answer is what it calls Air Suspension: for the box guideway model it claims 50% less quadrant error and a 30% reduction in backlash error, along with longer guideway life. The castings are Meehanite, the X axis is supported over its full travel, and the interface between column and base has been widened.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Table Size	1,270 x 600 mm (50.0 x 23.6 in)
Max Table Load	1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
X Axis Travel	1,100 mm (43.3 in)
Y Axis Travel	600 mm (23.6 in)
Z Axis Travel	630 mm (24.8 in)
Spindle Taper	#40 / #50
Spindle Speed Pulley	#40: 8,000 / 10,000 / 12,000 rpm
Spindle Speed Gear	#40 #50: 6,000 / 8,000 rpm
Spindle Speed Dds	#40: 10,000 / 15,000; #50: 10,000 / 12,000 rpm
Tool Capacity	#40: A: 24 (30 / 40); #50: A: 24 (32) pcs
Tool Shank	BT40 / 50 (BBT / CAT / DIN69871)
Spindle Motor Power	#40: 7.5 / 11 opt. 11 / 15; 15 / 18.5 #50: 11 / 15 opt. 15 / 18.5 kW (Cont. / 30 min)

Specifications sourced from hartfordcnc.com — verified 2026-10-04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Box guideways with Air Suspension, for which Hartford claims 50% less quadrant error and 30% less backlash error
#40 or #50 spindle, with a self-made two-step gear head at 6,000 / 8,000 rpm
Table load of 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) on a 1,270 x 600 mm (50.0 x 23.6 in) table
Full support throughout the X axis travel, as stated by Hartford
Meehanite castings and a widened column-to-base interface

Limitations

The #50 magazine is listed as 24 tools, or 32; only the #40 version reaches 40
Largest motor is 15 / 18.5 kW (Cont. / 30 min); the 22 / 26 kW option starts with the HCMC-1370
Y travel of 600 mm (23.6 in) is the smallest in the HCMC line
Rapid traverse rates are not published, and box ways are normally slower than linear guides

Best For

Heavy milling of steel and cast iron in a compact footprint Low-speed roughing with the gear-head spindle Mould bases and die blocks up to 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) Shops that want 50-taper tooling without a large machine

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What spindle tapers are available on the Hartford HCMC-1100?

#40 and #50. The tool shank row reads BT40 / 50, with BBT, CAT and DIN69871 as alternatives. The gear-head spindle at 6,000 / 8,000 rpm is listed for both tapers, the pulley spindle at 8,000 / 10,000 / 12,000 rpm for #40 only.

02 What is Air Suspension on the HCMC-1100?

It is Hartford's name for a design feature of its box-guideway machines. The maker states that it enhances cutting accuracy and extends guideway life, and that for the box guideway model quadrant error is reduced by 50% and backlash error by 30%.

03 What are the travels and table load of the HCMC-1100?

1,100 mm (43.3 in) in X, 600 mm (23.6 in) in Y and 630 mm (24.8 in) in Z, over a 1,270 x 600 mm (50.0 x 23.6 in) table rated for an average load of 1,200 kg (2,646 lb).

04 How does the HCMC-1100 differ from the PRO-1000?

Both are box-way machines. The PRO-1000 is #40 only, with 1,000 mm (39.4 in) of X travel, a 700 kg (1,543 lb) table and a motor of at most 7.5 / 11 kW. The HCMC-1100 adds the #50 option, a DDS spindle, larger motors and a 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) table.