Hermle C 42 U

Est. $550,000 - $800,000 (new) Specs verified 2026-10-03 · hermle.de Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

Rapid Traverse

45 m/min (1,772 ipm)

x axis travel

800 mm (31.5 in)

y axis travel

800 mm (31.5 in)

z axis travel

550 mm (21.7 in)

table diameter

800 mm (31.5 in)

table load capacity

700 kg (1,543 lb)

How much does the Hermle C 42 U cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$550,000 - $800,000 (new)

Our best estimate for a 5-axis machining center in this class — not a quote from Hermle. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Hermle C 42 U is a 5-axis machining centre with a traverse path of 800 x 800 x 550 mm (31.5 x 31.5 x 21.7 in) and a Ø 800 x 630 mm swivelling rotary table. Hermle lists five spindle speeds for it and a tool magazine of 42 positions that is expandable to 160, so the same frame can be set up for general 5-axis milling or for small-tool finishing.

The standard spindle runs at 15,000 rpm; 16,000, 20,000, 25,000 and 42,000 rpm are the alternatives. The C 42 technical data shows what separates them: 31 kW and 194 Nm at 15,000 rpm, 42 kW and 148 Nm at 20,000 rpm, 31 kW and 98 Nm at 25,000 rpm, and 35 kW with 17.5 Nm at 42,000 rpm, the last on HSK E 40 instead of HSK A 63. Torque roughly halves between the 15,000 and 25,000 rpm spindles of the C 42, so the choice should follow the largest tool the work needs and not the highest speed on offer.

Rapid traverse is 45 (60), 45 (60) and 40 (60) m/min in X, Y and Z, with 45 m/min (1,772 ipm) as the headline figure. The C 42 data gives the bracketed values as its dynamic rating of 60 - 60 - 60 m/min. Ask which version a quotation covers, since the difference shows up in non-cutting time on parts with many repositioning moves.

The workpiece body is Ø 800 / H 560 mm inside a collision circle of Ø 990 mm, and vertical table clearance is max. 700 mm. Hermle gives the max. table loading as 1400 kg for this table. The C 42 data ties load to the table drive, 850 kg with worm drive and 1,400 kg with torque tandem, so confirm the drive and the rating of the table quoted. The electrical supply is 400V, 3-phase.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X Axis Travel	800 mm (31.5 in)
Y Axis Travel	800 mm (31.5 in)
Z Axis Travel	550 mm (21.7 in)
Table Diameter	800 mm (31.5 in)
Table Load Capacity	700 kg (1,543 lb)
Spindle Speed	15,000 rpm (standard); up to 42,000 rpm optional
Tool Magazine	42 positions (expandable to 160)
Rapid Traverse Rate	45 m/min (1,772 ipm)
Power Supply	400V, 3-phase
Traverse Path	800 x 800 x 550 mm
Body	Ø 800 / H 560 mm
Collision Circle	Ø 990 mm
Vertical Table Clearance	max. 700 mm
Rotational Speed	15000/16000/20000/25000/42000 1/min
Rapid Traverse Linear X Y Z	45 (60)–45 (60)–40 (60) m/min.
Swivelling Rotary Table	Ø 800 x 630 mm
Max Table Loading	1400 kg

Specifications sourced from hermle.de — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Five listed spindle speeds: 15,000 rpm as standard, with 16,000, 20,000, 25,000 and 42,000 rpm as alternatives
Tool magazine of 42 positions, expandable to 160 for long unattended runs or large families of parts
Square working plane of 800 mm (31.5 in) in both X and Y with 550 mm (21.7 in) of Z
Rapid traverse of 45 m/min (1,772 ipm), with 60 m/min shown in brackets for all three axes
Max. table loading of 1400 kg on the Ø 800 x 630 mm swivelling rotary table

Limitations

Only 15,000 rpm is standard; every other spindle speed is an alternative that has to be specified
Z rapid is 40 m/min against 45 m/min in X and Y unless the bracketed 60 m/min version is ordered
The C 42 data gives 850 kg for the Ø 800 x 630 mm table with worm drive, so the full load rating depends on the table drive chosen
The workpiece body is 560 mm high against 550 mm (21.7 in) of Z travel and max. 700 mm of table clearance, so tall parts leave little room for long tools

Best For

5-axis parts up to Ø 800 mm and 560 mm high Mixed work that needs many tools on hand: 42 positions, expandable to 160 Small-tool finishing with the 25,000 or 42,000 rpm spindle options Heavy fixtured parts within the 1400 kg max. table loading

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What spindle options does the Hermle C 42 U have?

Hermle lists 15,000 rpm as the standard spindle and 16,000, 20,000, 25,000 and 42,000 rpm as alternatives. For the ratings behind those speeds, the C 42 technical data gives 31 kW and 194 Nm at 15,000 rpm, 42 kW and 148 Nm at 20,000 rpm and 35 kW with 17.5 Nm at 42,000 rpm.

02 How many tools does the C 42 U hold?

The tool magazine has 42 positions and is expandable to 160. The C 42 technical data lists the same 42 pockets as standard and names the additional magazines as ZM 30, ZM 50, ZM 88 k, ZM 216 and ZM 528, so capacity is added in steps to suit the job mix.

03 How fast does the C 42 U move in rapid traverse?

The rapid traverse row reads 45 (60), 45 (60) and 40 (60) m/min for X, Y and Z, and the headline figure is 45 m/min (1,772 ipm). The base machine is therefore slower in Z than in X and Y, and the bracketed 60 m/min applies to all three axes on the faster version.

04 What size and weight of workpiece fits the C 42 U?

The workpiece body is Ø 800 / H 560 mm on a swivelling rotary table of Ø 800 x 630 mm, with a collision circle of Ø 990 mm and a vertical table clearance of max. 700 mm. Hermle gives the max. table loading as 1400 kg. Fixture weight counts towards that figure.