Heckert HEC500
This model was not found in Heckert'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 It may be a superseded or older model; the specifications below are as we last recorded them.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
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Rapid Traverse
Spindle Power
How much does the Heckert HEC500 cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a horizontal machining centers (hmc) in this class — not a quote from Heckert. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The Heckert HEC500 is a horizontal machining centre with an NC rotary table, built around a 500 x 500 mm pallet that carries 1,000 kg (2,205 lb). The listed figures are those of the HEC 500 Athletic: 1,000 mm (39.4 in) of X on the column, 800 mm (31.5 in) of Y on the vertical slide and 1,000 mm (39.4 in) of Z on the table. Heckert's current lineup does not include the model under this name, so read the table as a guide to a machine you are inspecting.
What fits is set less by the pallet than by the swing. The interference range is Ø 1,000 mm for a full circle, or 1,350 mm flattened, and the workpiece may stand 1,050 mm (41.3 in) tall including its fixture. That diameter is twice the pallet width, so a tombstone or a housing can overhang the pallet a long way before it meets the enclosure. Two alternative pallets appear in brackets, 500 x 630 mm and a round Ø 630 mm, and Y is shown with 950 mm (37.4 in) in brackets beside the 800 mm. The brackets are not labelled, so establish which pallet and which Y stroke a particular machine has.
The spindle is a choice of gear spindle, motor spindle or NC quill. Across those the table gives 50 to 82 kW (67 to 110 hp), 237 to 1,500 Nm at 25% c.d.f. and top speeds from 4,000 to 15,000 rpm, without saying which figures belong together. A machine at the 1,500 Nm end is set up for heavy boring and face milling, one at the 15,000 rpm end for lighter and faster cutting, and the spindle fitted is the first thing to identify.
Rapid traverse is 65 m/min (2,559 ipm) on all the listed strokes, and the rotary table turns through 360° at up to 80 rpm.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Designation | HEC 500 Athletic (horizontal machining centre with NC rotary table) |
| Pallet Size | 500 x 500 mm (500 x 630 mm; round pallet Ø 630 mm), DIN 55201 punched-hole pallet |
| Max Pallet Load | 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) |
| Workpiece Interference Range | Ø 1,000 mm full circle / 1,350 mm flattened |
| Max Workpiece Height | 1,050 mm (41.3 in) including fixture |
| X-Axis Travel | 1,000 mm (39.4 in), column longitudinal |
| Y-Axis Travel | 800 mm (950 mm) (31.5 / 37.4 in), slide vertical |
| Z-Axis Travel | 1,000 mm (39.4 in), table transverse |
| B Axis Rotation | 0…360°, max. 80 rpm |
| Work Spindle Types | Gear spindle, motor spindle or NC quill |
| Tool Holder | HSK-A 100 (SK 50 / BT / CAT 50) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 50…82 kW (67…110 hp) depending on spindle |
| Spindle Torque | 237…1,500 Nm at 25% c.d.f. |
| Max Spindle Speed | 4,000…15,000 rpm depending on spindle |
| Tool Magazine | Chain 40 (60/120) pockets or tower 180/270/360/450 pockets |
| Max Tool Diameter (full magazine) | 325 mm (chain) / 340 mm (tower) |
| Max Tool Length | 700 mm (chain) / 450 or 800 mm (tower) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 65 m/min (2,559 ipm) |
| Positioning Uncertainty Xyz | 0.006 mm (0.004 mm) to VDI/DGQ 3441; position spread 0.004 (0.0025) mm; reversal error 0.003 (0.001) mm |
| Positioning Uncertainty B Axis | 6 (4) arcsec; position spread 4 (3) arcsec; reversal error 3 (2) arcsec |
| CNC Control | Siemens 840D sl with HMI Operate (Fanuc 31i optional) |
Specifications sourced from static.machinetools.com — verified 2026-09-24
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Interference range of Ø 1,000 mm full circle (1,350 mm flattened) on a 500 x 500 mm pallet, with 1,050 mm (41.3 in) of workpiece height including fixture
- Pallet load of 1,000 kg (2,205 lb), enough for a loaded tombstone or a cast housing with its fixture
- Spindle options reach 82 kW (110 hp), 1,500 Nm at 25% c.d.f. or 15,000 rpm, depending on the spindle fitted
- 65 m/min (2,559 ipm) rapid traverse over 1,000 mm (39.4 in) X and Z strokes
- Three spindle types are listed: gear spindle, motor spindle and NC quill
Limitations
- Power, torque and speed are given only as ranges across three spindle types; 1,500 Nm and 15,000 rpm cannot be assumed to describe the same machine
- Y travel is 800 mm (31.5 in); the 950 mm (37.4 in) figure appears only in brackets and has to be confirmed on the machine
- No machine weight, footprint or electrical supply is listed, so installation cannot be planned from this table
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The pallet is 500 x 500 mm and carries 1,000 kg (2,205 lb). The workpiece with its fixture may be up to 1,050 mm (41.3 in) high and must stay inside an interference range of Ø 1,000 mm for a full circle, or 1,350 mm flattened. A 500 x 630 mm pallet and a round Ø 630 mm pallet are shown in brackets as alternatives.
02
It depends on the machine. The listed figures cover a gear spindle, a motor spindle and an NC quill, with 50 to 82 kW (67 to 110 hp), 237 to 1,500 Nm at 25% c.d.f. and maximum speeds from 4,000 to 15,000 rpm. The table does not pair the figures, so the spindle on a specific machine has to be identified from its own documents. The tool holder is HSK-A 100, with SK 50, BT and CAT 50 in brackets.
03
X is 1,000 mm (39.4 in) on the column, Y is 800 mm (31.5 in) on the vertical slide and Z is 1,000 mm (39.4 in) on the table. A Y travel of 950 mm (37.4 in) is shown in brackets. Rapid traverse is 65 m/min (2,559 ipm).
04
The HEC800 is the bigger frame: an 800 x 800 mm pallet with 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) of pallet load against the 500 x 500 mm and 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of the HEC500. The HEC800 also has 1,450 mm (57.1 in) of X, 1,100 mm of Y and 1,300 mm of Z. Spindle ranges and the 65 m/min (2,559 ipm) rapid traverse are the same on the HEC800, so the choice is about part size and weight.
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