Gebr. Heller Horizontal Machining Centers

Heller H4000

$450,000 - $700,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

630 mm (24.8 in)

Y Travel

630 mm (24.8 in)

Z Travel

700 mm (27.6 in)

Max Spindle

8,000 RPM (12,000 RPM optional)

Spindle Taper

HSK-A100

Tool Capacity

80 (expandable to 320)

Overview

The Gebr. Heller H4000 is a 500 mm pallet horizontal machining center built for demanding 4-axis production machining of medium-to-large prismatic components. Positioned above the H2000 in the H-series lineup, the H4000 accommodates larger castings, structural housings, gear cases, and complex manifolds that exceed the 400 mm pallet envelope. It is a mainstay of automotive driveline manufacturing, commercial vehicle component production, and general mechanical engineering at scales that require heavy spindle power and robust construction.

Heller's H4000 maintains the moving-column, fixed-table architecture that defines the H-series, delivering the thermal symmetry and long-term positional stability that production environments demand. The spindle motor is mounted directly above the working spindle to minimize thermal growth along the critical Z-axis. Coolant circuits in the column and spindle housing actively manage heat, allowing the machine to hold tolerances across multi-shift production without repeated warm-up cycles.

The H4000's 500 mm pallet carries up to 700 kg, supporting heavy iron and steel castings that are standard in truck transmissions, axle housings, and industrial pump bodies. The standard twin-pallet shuttle arrangement means uninterrupted cutting — one pallet machines while the other loads — achieving high spindle utilization ratios essential for production cost justification.

Heller offers the H4000 with broad automation compatibility: rail-guided pallet systems, Heller-native FMS software, and robot-tended single-machine cells. Control options include Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl and Fanuc 31i-B. The machine is produced at Heller's Nürtingen, Germany headquarters and supported through Heller subsidiaries and partners in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Pallet Size	500 x 500 mm
Table Load Capacity	700 kg (1,543 lb)
X-Axis Travel	630 mm (24.8 in)
Y-Axis Travel	630 mm (24.8 in)
Z-Axis Travel	700 mm (27.6 in)
Max Spindle Speed	8,000 RPM (12,000 RPM optional)
Spindle Taper	HSK-A100
Spindle Motor Power	52 kW (69.7 hp)
Spindle Torque	1,000 Nm
Rapid Traverse Rate	60 m/min (2,362 ipm)
Tool Capacity	80 (expandable to 320)
Positioning Accuracy	0.004 mm (ISO 230-2)
CNC Control	Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl / Fanuc 31i-B
Barbarossastr 50 54	Phone:
67655 Kaiserslautern	Fax:
Germany	E-Mail:

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

500 mm pallet and 700 kg table load capacity handle large commercial vehicle castings, axle housings, and industrial gear cases that exceed smaller HMC capacity
52 kW spindle with 1,000 Nm torque delivers production-grade material removal rates in ductile iron, steel, and heavy aluminum castings
HSK-A100 taper provides the rigidity needed for large-diameter boring tools and face mills typical in heavy powertrain component machining
Native FMS integration allows the H4000 to participate in large pallet pool systems alongside H2000 and H5000 machines in mixed-part flexible cells

Limitations

4-axis configuration without trunnion or head indexing limits the machine to prismatic features; compound-angle bores require dedicated angle heads or secondary setups
HSK-A100 tooling is costlier and heavier than HSK-A63, increasing tooling investment for shops transitioning from smaller HMC platforms
Machine footprint and weight require reinforced foundations, increasing installation cost compared to lighter vertical machining centers

Best For

Commercial vehicle and heavy truck manufacturers producing transmission cases, axle housings, and engine blocks requiring high torque and 700 kg table load Industrial pump and valve manufacturers machining large cast iron and ductile iron bodies where bore accuracy and surface finish are critical Tier 1 automotive and off-highway suppliers running multi-shift production cells with pallet automation to maximize spindle utilization Defense and aerospace ground vehicle programs machining structural steel and aluminum housings in medium-to-large formats

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the spindle taper on the Heller H4000?

The H4000 uses HSK-A100 taper, a larger and more rigid interface than the HSK-A63 found on smaller Heller H-series machines. This supports the heavy boring bars, large-diameter face mills, and long-reach tooling required for commercial vehicle and large industrial component machining.

02 How much can the H4000 table carry?

The H4000 pallet carries up to 700 kg on its 500 x 500 mm pallet. This accommodates most cast iron and steel automotive and commercial vehicle components within the 630 x 630 x 700 mm work envelope.

03 Can the Heller H4000 be integrated with other H-series machines in an FMS?

Yes. Heller's FMS architecture supports mixed H-series cells where H2000, H4000, and H5000 machines share a common pallet rail and tool management system. This is common in automotive plants producing families of parts across multiple size ranges.

04 What is the difference between the H4000 and the HF3500?

The H4000 is a 4-axis production HMC optimized for prismatic parts with high torque and pallet automation. The HF3500 adds a B-axis for full 5-axis simultaneous machining, suited for complex aerospace and die-mold components requiring contouring. The H4000 is faster and lower cost per part for pure prismatic work.

05 What control systems are available for the H4000?

Heller offers the H4000 with Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl and Fanuc 31i-B. Control choice is typically driven by customer factory standard and existing DNC/FMS infrastructure. Both controls support Heller's proprietary machining cycles and FMS communication protocols.