Hermle C 12

Est. $300,000 - $425,000 Specs verified 2026-03-28 · machinetools.com Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

X Travel

350 mm (13.8 in)

Y Travel

440 mm (17.3 in)

Z Travel

330 mm (13.0 in)

Max Spindle

18,000 RPM standard (12,000 to 42,000 RPM options)

Spindle Taper

HSK-A63

Tool Capacity

36 tools (HSK-A63)

How much does the Hermle C 12 cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$300,000 - $425,000

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 12 is a compact 5-axis universal machining centre with 350 mm (13.8 in) of X, 440 mm (17.3 in) of Y and 330 mm (13.0 in) of Z travel over a 320 mm (12.6 in) table. The listed figures describe a machine for small, light work: the table carries 100 kg (220 lb), the largest workpiece diameter is 320 mm (12.6 in) and the vertical table clearance is 430 mm (16.9 in).

Tooling is HSK-A63 in a 36-tool changer. Each tool may be up to 80 mm (3.1 in) in diameter, 200 mm (7.9 in) long and 6 kg (13.2 lb), and the listed chip-to-chip time is 4.5 sec. The length limit is the one to watch on 5-axis work, where a long-reach tool is often what gets the cutter past a tilted part.

The spindle is listed at 18,000 RPM as standard, with options from 12,000 to 42,000 RPM. Rapids are 30 m/min (1,181 ipm) as standard and 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) as an option. The table swivels +/- 115° and the C-axis rotates 360° continuously, so a part can be reached from either side without turning the fixture round.

Machine weight is listed as 6.8 tons and the control as the Heidenhain TNC 640. The C 12 U GEN2 shares the 350, 440 and 330 mm travels and the 100 kg (220 lb) table load, but it is listed with a different set of spindle speeds, 15,000 / 16,000 / 20,000 / 25,000 / 30,000 / 42,000 rpm, and with the Heidenhain TNC7. On an existing C 12, take the spindle speed and control from the machine itself.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	350 mm (13.8 in)
Y-Axis Travel	440 mm (17.3 in)
Z-Axis Travel	330 mm (13.0 in)
Max Spindle Speed	18,000 RPM standard (12,000 to 42,000 RPM options)
Spindle Taper	HSK-A63
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (1,181 ipm) standard; 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) optional
Table Diameter	320 mm (12.6 in)
Table Swivel Range	+/- 115°
C Axis	360° continuous
Max Table Load	100 kg (220 lb)
Max Workpiece Diameter	320 mm (12.6 in)
Vertical Table Clearance	430 mm (16.9 in)
Tool Capacity	36 tools (HSK-A63)
Max Tool Diameter (full magazine)	80 mm (3.1 in)
Max Tool Length	200 mm (7.9 in)
Max Tool Weight	6 kg (13.2 lb)
Tool Change Time	4.5 sec chip-to-chip
Machine Weight	6.8 (TONS)
CNC Control	Heidenhain TNC 640 or Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl
X	13.78"
Y	17.323"
Z	12.992"
Axis	5
ATC	36
CNC Control	CNC (Heidenhain TNC 640 / TNC7)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Table swivel of +/- 115° with a continuous 360° C-axis on a machine listed at 6.8 tons
18,000 RPM standard spindle with HSK-A63, and options from 12,000 to 42,000 RPM
36 tools with a listed chip-to-chip time of 4.5 sec
Vertical table clearance of 430 mm (16.9 in) above a 320 mm (12.6 in) table
Rapids of 30 m/min (1,181 ipm) as standard, with 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) optional

Limitations

Table load is 100 kg (220 lb), fixture included
Workpiece diameter is limited to 320 mm (12.6 in) and travels to 350 mm (13.8 in), 440 mm (17.3 in) and 330 mm (13.0 in)
Tools are limited to 200 mm (7.9 in) in length, 80 mm (3.1 in) in diameter and 6 kg (13.2 lb)
The 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) rapid and the spindles other than 18,000 RPM are options, so a given machine may not have them

Best For

Small 5-axis parts up to 320 mm (12.6 in) in diameter and 100 kg (220 lb) Fine finishing with small tools on the optional spindles up to 42,000 RPM Five-sided machining of small components in one clamping Shops that need 5-axis capacity from a machine listed at 6.8 tons

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the working envelope of the Hermle C 12?

The listed travels are 350 mm (13.8 in) in X, 440 mm (17.3 in) in Y and 330 mm (13.0 in) in Z. The table is 320 mm (12.6 in) in diameter, the maximum workpiece diameter is the same 320 mm (12.6 in), the vertical table clearance is 430 mm (16.9 in) and the table load is 100 kg (220 lb).

02 What are the tool size limits on the C 12?

The changer holds 36 tools with an HSK-A63 taper. The listed limits per tool are 80 mm (3.1 in) in diameter, 200 mm (7.9 in) in length and 6 kg (13.2 lb) in weight. The chip-to-chip time is listed as 4.5 sec.

03 What spindle speeds does the C 12 offer?

The listed standard spindle runs at 18,000 RPM, with options from 12,000 to 42,000 RPM. The C 12 U GEN2 is listed with 15,000 / 16,000 / 20,000 / 25,000 / 30,000 / 42,000 rpm options, so the speeds on offer have differed between versions. Confirm the spindle on the specific machine.

04 How far do the rotary axes of the C 12 travel?

The table swivel range is listed as +/- 115° and the C-axis as 360° continuous. Swivelling the same amount in both directions means a feature can be approached from either side, which helps when a fixture blocks access from one direction.