Heller HF 3500

$550,000 - $800,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

710 mm (28 in)

Y Travel

750 mm (29.5 in)

Z Travel

710 mm (28 in)

Max Spindle

18,000 rpm

Spindle Taper

HSK-A63

Tool Capacity

60 (expandable to 90)

Overview

The Heller HF 3500 is a 5-axis machining center that combines Heller's legendary horizontal machining center rigidity with full simultaneous 5-axis contouring capability. Built on a horizontal spindle platform with a trunnion-style A/B axis configuration, the HF 3500 offers 710 x 750 x 710 mm (28 x 29.5 x 28 in) X/Y/Z travels and supports workpieces up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) on a 500 mm diameter pallet. This makes it one of the most rigid production 5-axis machines available in its size class — a direct reflection of Heller's DNA as a builder of heavy-duty production horizontal machining centers.

The spindle is the heart of any Heller machine, and the HF 3500 delivers. The standard motorized spindle runs at 18,000 rpm with 40 kW (54 hp) continuous power through an HSK-A63 interface. For heavy-duty applications, Heller offers their Speed Cutting spindle at 15,000 rpm with higher torque, and a gear-driven option for maximum torque in cast iron and steel. The A-axis tilts +/- 120 degrees while the B-axis provides 360-degree continuous rotation, creating a generous work envelope for complex 5-axis contoured parts including impellers, blisks, and structural aerospace components.

Heller's Pro-Speed technology optimizes axis acceleration and jerk control for minimum non-cutting time without sacrificing surface finish quality. Rapid traverse rates reach 60 m/min on all linear axes, and the rotary axes are tuned for fast indexing between positions. The dual-pallet changer with 500 mm pallets is standard, enabling setup during cutting for production applications. The 60-position HSK-A63 tool magazine (expandable to 90) supports complex multi-tool programs.

The machine base is a robust cast iron construction with hand-scraped mating surfaces and precision roller guideways — the same construction quality that makes Heller horizontal machining centers the choice of Tier 1 automotive suppliers worldwide. The Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control provides the processing power for smooth 5-axis contouring with look-ahead optimization. New HF 3500 machines are priced between $550,000 and $800,000 depending on spindle selection, tool capacity, and automation level.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	710 mm (28 in)
Y-Axis Travel	750 mm (29.5 in)
Z-Axis Travel	710 mm (28 in)
A Axis Range	+/- 120°
B Axis Range	360° continuous
Max Spindle Speed	18,000 rpm
Spindle Taper	HSK-A63
Spindle Motor Power	40 kW (54 hp) continuous
Table Size	Ø 500 mm (19.7 in) pallet
Number Of Pallets	2 (dual pallet changer)
Max Workpiece Weight	500 kg (1,102 lb)
Max Workpiece Diameter	Ø 600 mm (23.6 in)
Tool Capacity	60 (expandable to 90)
Rapid Traverse Rate	60 m/min (2,362 ipm) all axes
CNC Control	Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl
Machine Weight	16,500 kg (36,376 lb)
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.004 mm
Modelhf 3500brandheller Grouptypehorizontal Machining Centerscontact Sales Rep	Contact Sales Rep.
Modelhf 3500brandheller Grouptypehorizontal Machining Centers	Contact Sales Rep.
Model	HF 3500
Brand	HELLER GROUP
Type	Horizontal Machining Centers
X27953y29528z27953	Pallet-W15.748"Pallet-L19.685"# Axis5
X	27.953"
Y	29.528"
Z	27.953"
Pallet W	15.748"
Pallet L	19.685"
Axis	5
Looking To Purchase A New Heller Group Hf 3500	Contact Sales Rep.

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Horizontal spindle 5-axis architecture provides HMC-class rigidity with simultaneous 5-axis capability — the best of both worlds for production 5-axis work
Multiple spindle options (motorized, Speed Cutting, gear-driven) allow optimization for specific materials from aluminum HSM to titanium heavy roughing
Standard dual-pallet changer with 500 mm pallets enables production throughput without additional automation investment
+/- 120 degree A-axis tilt provides exceptional part accessibility — more range than many competing 5-axis machines with +/- 110 or smaller
Heller's cast iron construction with hand-scraped surfaces and roller guides delivers long-term geometric accuracy in 24/7 production environments
Pro-Speed acceleration optimization minimizes non-cutting time while maintaining surface finish quality during high-speed contouring

Limitations

At $550K-$800K, the HF 3500 is positioned at the premium end of the mid-size 5-axis market — shops on tighter budgets may find better value elsewhere
Heller's 5-axis machines are less well-known than competitors like DMG MORI and Hermle, which means fewer reference installations for buyer evaluation
500 kg workpiece capacity may be limiting for heavy steel mold bases or large structural parts — the HF 5500 offers more capacity
Siemens 840D sl is the only control option — no Heidenhain or FANUC alternative for shops standardized on other platforms
Heller's North American service infrastructure is smaller than Japanese competitors, though their Troy, Michigan facility provides regional support

Best For

Aerospace manufacturers needing production-grade 5-axis capability for structural parts, engine components, and complex housings in aluminum and titanium Automotive R&D and prototype shops machining complex die cast molds and fixtures that require 5-axis access with production-level rigidity Industrial turbomachinery producers machining impellers, diffusers, and bladed components requiring simultaneous 5-axis contouring Shops upgrading from 4-axis horizontal machining centers to 5-axis capability while maintaining the rigidity and reliability they depend on Production environments where the standard dual-pallet changer provides the automation needed without the cost of full robotic or FMS systems

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the Heller HF 3500 compare to the DMG MORI DMU 65 monoBLOCK?

The HF 3500 and DMU 65 monoBLOCK target similar applications but differ fundamentally in architecture. The DMU 65 uses a vertical spindle with swivel rotary table, while the HF 3500 uses a horizontal spindle with trunnion A/B axes. The Heller's horizontal configuration provides better chip evacuation and typically higher rigidity for heavy cutting. The DMG MORI offers a wider range of spindle and control options and a much larger global service network. The HF 3500 excels in production environments; the DMU 65 is more versatile for general-purpose 5-axis work.

02 What spindle should I choose for the HF 3500?

For primarily aluminum and light alloy machining, the 18,000 rpm motorized spindle provides the speed needed for high-speed machining strategies. For mixed-material production including steel and titanium, the Speed Cutting spindle at 15,000 rpm offers a better balance of speed and torque. For dedicated cast iron or heavy steel work, the gear-driven spindle provides maximum constant torque across the full RPM range. Most shops machining a mix of materials choose the Speed Cutting variant.

03 Can the HF 3500 be integrated into automated production cells?

Yes, the standard dual-pallet changer provides basic automation out of the box. For higher automation levels, the HF 3500 interfaces with pallet pool systems from Heller and third-party providers like Fastems. The machine can also be served by robotic loading systems for flexible automation. The Siemens 840D sl control supports the cell management functions needed for FMS integration. Many aerospace and automotive installations run HF 3500 machines in multi-machine automated cells.

04 What is Heller's Pro-Speed technology?

Pro-Speed is Heller's proprietary acceleration and jerk optimization system that minimizes non-cutting time during rapid positioning and tool changes while maintaining surface finish quality during cutting moves. The system optimizes axis acceleration profiles based on the current workpiece weight and cutting conditions, allowing the machine to move at maximum speed during non-cutting moves and smoothly transition to optimized cutting feed rates. In practice, Pro-Speed reduces cycle times by 5-15% compared to unoptimized axis motion.