Hurco BX50i

$450,000 - $650,000 (new) | $230,000 - $400,000 (used) Updated 2025-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

2,500 mm (98.4 in)

Y Travel

2,000 mm (78.7 in)

Spindle Taper

BT 50

Tool Capacity

30 (30 (50 option))

Table Size

53.5 x 37.8 in (1,360 x 960 mm)

Spindle Power

38.9 hp @ 2,870 rpm (29 kW @ 2,870 rpm)

Overview

The Hurco BX50i is the larger of Hurco's two horizontal boring mills, stepping up from the BX40i with more travel, a bigger table, and the additional capacity needed for shops working on larger castings, weldments, and structural components. If the BX40i covers mid-range boring mill work, the BX50i pushes into the territory traditionally held by dedicated heavy-duty builders — and it does it with the WinMax conversational control that no other boring mill manufacturer can match.

The travel envelope expands significantly over the BX40i: 2,500 mm (98.4 in) in X, 2,000 mm (78.7 in) in Y, 750 mm (29.5 in) in Z (spindle quill), and 2,000 mm (78.7 in) in W (table longitudinal). The 150 mm (5.9 in) diameter spindle bore is larger than the BX40i's 130 mm, providing more rigidity for extended boring bar operations and the ability to use larger-diameter boring tooling. The additional quill travel — 750 mm vs. 600 mm — extends deep-bore reach without repositioning.

The rotary table measures 1,600 x 2,000 mm (63 x 78.7 in) with a 8,000 kg (17,637 lb) load capacity and full 360-degree indexing. The combination of larger table and higher load capacity means the BX50i can handle the heavy castings and weldments that define serious boring mill work — diesel engine blocks, large pump housings, mining equipment components, and industrial gearbox cases that would overload the BX40i's table.

The spindle delivers 37 kW (50 HP) continuous power at up to 2,500 RPM through a BT 50 taper. The lower maximum RPM compared to the BX40i reflects the BX50i's emphasis on torque over speed — when you're boring a 300 mm hole in cast iron with a long boring bar, torque and stability matter far more than spindle speed. The 37 kW motor provides the sustained power needed for aggressive metal removal in heavy materials.

Box-way construction on all axes is non-negotiable at this machine size, and the BX50i delivers it with heavy cast-iron ways designed for decades of service. The machine weighs approximately 32,000 kg (70,548 lb), providing the mass needed to damp vibration during heavy cutting operations. Rapid traverse rates of 10 m/min (394 IPM) reflect the box-way design — positioning speed is secondary to cutting performance on a machine of this type.

The WinMax control transforms what would otherwise be a conventional boring mill into a far more accessible machine. Boring mill work traditionally requires specialized operators who can program bolt circles, line boring operations, and angular features in G-code. WinMax puts these operations into conversational format, allowing experienced machinists to program boring mill operations without dedicated boring mill programming expertise. For shops adding boring mill capability for the first time, this dramatically shortens the learning curve.

New BX50i machines price in the $450,000-$650,000 range. This puts them in direct competition with used heavy-duty boring mills from Kuraki, Toshiba, and SNK — machines that may offer more raw capacity but come with older controls, uncertain parts availability, and the maintenance burden of aging mechanical systems.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Y-Axis Travel	2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Travel Z Quill	750 mm (29.5 in)
Travel W Table	2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Spindle Bore Diameter	150 mm (5.9 in)
Table Size	53.5 x 37.8 in (1,360 x 960 mm)
Table Indexing	360° (1° increments)
Max Table Load	8,000 kg (17,637 lb)
Spindle Speed	2,500 RPM
Spindle Taper	BT 50
Spindle Motor Power	38.9 hp @ 2,870 rpm (29 kW @ 2,870 rpm)
Rapid Traverse Xy	10 m/min (394 IPM)
Tool Capacity	30 (30 (50 option))
Guideway Type	Box ways (all axes)
CNC Control	Hurco WinMax
Machine Weight	20,371 lbs (9,240 kg)
Travels Capacityx Y Z Axis Travel	49.2 x 37.4 x 22.8 in (1,250 x 950 x 580 mm)
Spindle Nose To Table	7.9 / 27 in (200 / 780 mm)
Max Weight On Table	4,409 lb (2,000 kg)
T Slot Size	6 x 0.9 in (6 x 22 mm)
Spindlemax Spindle Speed	20,000 rpm
Spindle Torque	73.2 ft. lbs @ 2,790 rpm (99.3 Nm @ 2,790 rpm)
Tool Changertool Type	HSK 63A
Max Tool Diameter	3.15 in (80 mm)
Max Tool Length	11.8 in (300 mm)
Max Tool Weight	15.4 lb (7 kg)
Feedratesrapid Traverse Xyz Axis	1,417 in/min (36 m/min)
Max Programmable Feedrate	1,417 in/min (36 m/min)
Sizemax Operating Floor Space	182.7 x 206.5 in (4,344 x 4,096 mm)
Machine Height	140.5 in (2,943 mm)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

150 mm spindle bore with 750 mm quill travel provides exceptional deep-boring capability — reach into cavities and bores that smaller boring mills cannot access
8,000 kg rotary table capacity handles the heavy castings and weldments that define serious boring mill work in heavy industry
37 kW high-torque spindle delivers sustained cutting power for aggressive boring and face milling in steel and cast iron
WinMax conversational control makes this boring mill accessible to experienced machinists without dedicated boring mill programming expertise
2,500 mm X-travel and 2,000 mm W-travel provide a large working envelope for processing oversize components in a single setup
New machine with full warranty and parts support competes favorably against used Japanese boring mills with aging controls and uncertain service

Limitations

2,500 RPM maximum spindle speed is low even for boring mill standards — limits productivity with smaller-diameter tools for drilling and tapping operations
40-tool magazine is undersized for a machine of this capability — many boring mill jobs require extensive tool libraries for boring, facing, drilling, and tapping operations
32,000 kg machine weight requires a substantial foundation and significant rigging for installation and potential relocation
BT 50 taper may not align with existing ISO 50 or HSK tooling in shops transitioning from other boring mill brands
Relatively new product in a market dominated by builders with 50+ years of boring mill heritage — limited long-term track record

Best For

Heavy equipment manufacturers machining large castings, frames, and housings for mining, construction, and agricultural equipment Diesel engine and power generation shops boring cylinder blocks, machining crankcase housings, and processing large engine components Oil and gas manufacturers machining large valve bodies, BOP components, wellhead housings, and pipeline equipment Industrial pump and compressor manufacturers requiring multi-face machining of heavy housings and bearing supports Job shops expanding into heavy boring mill work that want a modern, accessible control system without hiring specialized boring mill operators Maintenance and overhaul facilities that need horizontal boring capability for in-house repair of heavy industrial components

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Hurco BX50i cost new and used?

New BX50i machines typically price between $450,000 and $650,000 depending on configuration. Installation costs including foundation, rigging, and electrical work can add $30,000-$50,000. Used BX50i availability is extremely limited as this is a relatively new model. For context, used Japanese horizontal boring mills of comparable capacity (Kuraki KBT-13, Toshiba BTD-110) from the 2010s trade in the $200,000-$400,000 range with older controls.

02 What's the difference between the BX40i and BX50i?

The BX50i offers more of everything: 500 mm more X-travel (2,500 vs. 2,000 mm), 400 mm more Y-travel (2,000 vs. 1,600 mm), 150 mm more quill travel (750 vs. 600 mm), and 500 mm more W-axis travel (2,000 vs. 1,500 mm). The spindle bore increases from 130 to 150 mm, and power goes from 30 to 37 kW. Table capacity jumps from 5,000 to 8,000 kg. Choose the BX50i when your parts are heavier, larger, or require deeper boring reach.

03 Can the BX50i replace multiple setups on a VMC?

Absolutely — this is the primary value proposition of any horizontal boring mill. A part that requires three or four setups on a VMC (top, front, back, sides) can often be completed in a single setup on the BX50i using the rotary table to index between faces. The time saved in setup, handling, and alignment verification typically pays for the boring mill's premium over a VMC within the first year for shops doing this type of work regularly.

04 How does the BX50i's quill work?

The Z-axis quill is a 150 mm diameter spindle that extends 750 mm from the spindle head. This quill travel allows the boring bar and tooling to reach deep into workpiece cavities without moving the entire spindle head. The quill is driven by a precision ballscrew with linear scale feedback for positional accuracy. During deep-boring operations, the quill's rigidity is maintained by the oversized bore diameter and the damping characteristics of the box-way headstock construction.

05 What tooling do I need for the BX50i?

The BX50i uses BT 50 taper toolholders, which are widely available. For boring operations, you'll need boring bars in various diameters and reach lengths, typically from manufacturers like Kaiser, Kennametal, or Sandvik. Face milling is done with standard BT 50 face mill holders. The 40-tool magazine holds standard BT 50 pull-stud tools. Budget $30,000-$50,000 for an initial tooling package including boring bars, face mills, drills, taps, and holders.

06 Is the BX50i suitable for production boring work?

The BX50i is designed primarily for job shop and low-volume production work, which aligns with how most horizontal boring mills are used. For high-volume production boring, dedicated horizontal machining centers with pallet changers are more efficient. The BX50i excels where part variety is high, batch sizes are low, and the ability to program at the control (via WinMax) provides a significant time advantage over CAM-dependent workflows.