Honor Seiki VL-46M

Turning height is what separates the Honor Seiki VL-46M from the other 12-position machine on its page. It is listed at 380 mm (14.9 in), where the VL-46A/AR has 450 mm (17.7 in). Everything else in the two columns is identical: 560 mm (22 in) of swing and turning diameter, a 305 mm (12 in) chuck, a 25-2,500 rpm spindle, 12 tool positions and a 450 kg (992 lb) workpiece limit.

So what does the M stand for? The High Speed Series page does not say. In Honor Seiki's Heavy Duty Series the M columns are the ones that carry a live spindle row, for example the VL-66CM at 50-2,250 rpm. The table for the VL-46M has no such row, and nothing in its accessory list names driven tools, so do not assume a milling function from the name alone. Get the configuration in writing.

What the page does establish is the working envelope and the standard equipment. A part up to 560 mm across and 380 mm tall sits on a hydraulic 3-jaw chuck with rotary cylinder. Coolant runs through the turret, chips leave on a hinge type conveyor, and spindle orientation is on the standard list, which is the function a machine needs before the spindle can be stopped at a set angle.

The spindle is described as having a wide range motor, with a motor upgrade and a dual speed gearbox as options. Power, torque, travels and machine weight are not printed. Neither is the base control, although a 31i series CNC and a Siemens controller are both optional.