Hurco HTX 300i

The Hurco HTX 300i is a compact horizontal machining center built around a 300mm square pallet, targeting job shops and precision manufacturers that need the productivity benefits of horizontal spindle orientation without the floor space and capital commitment of a 500mm-class HMC. The horizontal spindle and integral 4th-axis B-table provide four-sided access to workpieces in a single setup, eliminating multiple re-fixturing operations that erode accuracy and add cycle time on vertical machines.

The HTX 300i is equipped with a 12,000 rpm Big Plus CAT 40 spindle producing 15 kW of continuous power. The compact pallet size suits prismatic parts up to 300mm square — hydraulic manifolds, small gearbox housings, aerospace fittings, and medical device enclosures that are typically too small to justify a 500mm HMC but too complex to machine efficiently on a VMC. The B-axis rotary table provides full 360° indexing at 0.001° resolution, enabling compound-angle features and true 4-axis contouring with the right CAM programming.

Hurco's WinMax control is standard on the HTX 300i, giving operators the option to program conversationally for simpler 4-axis work or import G-code from Mastercam or other CAM systems for complex programs. The WinMax interface reduces programming time significantly on short-run jobs — a key advantage in job shop environments where setup-to-setup agility matters more than peak metal removal rate. A 40-tool ATC with fast arm-type tool changer keeps the machine productive across varied multi-operation workpieces.

The HTX 300i occupies a niche between VMC operation and full 500mm HMC production capability. Its compact footprint — approximately 3,200 × 3,500mm — fits in shops where a Mazak HCN-5000 or Okuma MB-5000HII would be impractically large. New pricing typically ranges from $220,000 to $310,000 depending on configuration, positioning it as an accessible first horizontal machining center for shops graduating from VMC-only operations.