Hurco VC500i

$200,000 - $270,000 (new) | $110,000 - $180,000 (used) Updated 2025-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

520 mm (20.5 in)

Y Travel

450 mm (17.7 in)

Z Travel

400 mm (15.8 in)

Max Spindle

12,000 RPM

Spindle Taper

CAT 40 / Big Plus

Tool Capacity

Overview

The Hurco VC500i is a C-axis 5-axis machining center with a 500 mm (19.7 in) diameter table, built for shops that need true simultaneous 5-axis capability on mid-size parts. Unlike the trunnion-style U models that tilt from underneath, the VC500i uses a B/C axis configuration — the table tilts (B-axis) and rotates (C-axis) from a gantry-style mounting, providing excellent part clearance and chip evacuation.

Travels are 520 x 450 x 400 mm (20.5 x 17.7 x 15.8 in) with B-axis tilt of +/-110 degrees and full 360-degree C-axis rotation. The 500 mm table handles 250 kg (550 lb) of load. While the linear travels are more compact than VMX trunnion models, the VC500i's architecture is optimized for 5-axis work on a single part rather than long-travel 3-axis work with rotary access.

The spindle runs 12,000 RPM through a CAT 40 / Big Plus taper, delivering 11.5 kW (15.4 hp) of peak power with 73.2 Nm (54 ft-lbs) of torque at 1,500 RPM. The 40-tool ATC provides substantial tool storage with 80 mm max diameter and 300 mm max length. Rapids run 28 m/min (1,102 ipm) on all linear axes, with B and C axes at 25 RPM each.

The VC500i's standout feature is its +/-110 degree B-axis range — 18 degrees more than the trunnion models' +30/-110 degrees. This extra angular range provides better access to steep-wall features and undercuts on complex 5-axis parts.

At 7,170 kg (15,807 lb), the VC500i is remarkably heavy for its travel envelope, indicating a very rigid frame. Floor space is 4,950 x 3,604 mm (163 x 142 in) and power draw is 34 KVA. WinMax control with full simultaneous 5-axis support is standard.

New pricing runs $200,000-$270,000. This machine targets precision 5-axis production work where part access and surface quality matter more than travel range.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	520 mm (20.5 in)
Y-Axis Travel	450 mm (17.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.8 in)
B Axis Range	+/- 110°
C Axis Range	360°
Max Spindle Speed	12,000 RPM
Spindle Taper	CAT 40 / Big Plus
Spindle Motor Power	15.4 hp (11.5 kW)
Spindle Torque	54 ft lbs @ 1,500 rpm (73.2 Nm @ 1,500 rpm)
Tool Capacity	40
Table Diameter	19.7 in (500 mm)
Max Table Load	250 kg (550 lb)
Rapid Traverse Xyz	28 m/min (1,102 ipm)
Rotary Axis Rapid	25 RPM
Max Tool Diameter	3.0 in (80 mm)
Max Tool Length	11.8 in (300 mm)
Machine Weight	7,170 kg (15,807 lb)
Floor Space	4,950 x 3,604 mm (163 x 142 in)
CNC Control	Hurco WinMax
Travels Capacityx Y Z Axis Travel	20.5 x 17.7 x 15.8 in (520 x 450 x 400 mm)
Spindle Nose To Table	5.9 in min / 21.7 in max (150 mm min/ 550 mm max)
Max Weight On Table	550 lbs (250 kg)
B Axis Motion	+/-110°
C Axis Motion	360°
T Slot Size	3.9 in (100 mm)
Spindlemax Spindle Speed	12000 rpm
Tool Changertool Type	CAT 40 (CAT/BT 40)
Max Tool Weight	15.4 lb (7 kg)
Feedratesrapid Traverse Xyz Axis	1,102 in/min (28 m/min)
Max Programmable Feedrate	1,102 in/min (28 m/min)
B Axis Rpm	25 rpm
C Axis Rpm	25 rpm
Sizemax Operating Floor Space	162.9 x 141.9 in (4,950 x 3,604 mm)
Machine Height	116.3 in (2,955 mm)
Electricalpower Rating Full Load Kva	34 KVA
Machine Weight	15,807 lb (7,170 kg)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+/-110 degree B-axis range provides more angular access than trunnion models for steep-wall and undercut features
7,170 kg machine weight is extremely high for the travel envelope, delivering exceptional rigidity
500 mm table diameter handles a wide range of 5-axis production parts without part-size anxiety
40-tool ATC provides substantial cutter storage for complex multi-tool 5-axis programs
B/C axis configuration provides excellent chip evacuation compared to inverted trunnion designs
WinMax conversational 5-axis programming reduces dependence on dedicated CAM departments

Limitations

520 x 450 x 400 mm linear travels are compact — not suited for long parts or large 3-axis work
11.5 kW (15.4 hp) spindle limits heavy roughing capability on harder materials
4,950 x 3,604 mm floor space is large relative to the compact travel envelope
28 m/min rapids are slower than VMX trunnion and SRT models
Limited travel range means parts must be carefully evaluated for fit before committing to this machine

Best For

Medical device manufacturers producing implants, instruments, and prosthetics requiring full 5-axis access Aerospace shops machining impeller blades, turbine components, and complex contoured parts Precision shops producing parts requiring simultaneous 5-axis contouring with tight surface finish specs Mold and die shops machining small-to-medium cores and cavities from multiple angles Production environments running dedicated 5-axis parts where the VC500i's rigidity pays dividends Shops that prioritize part access angle (+/-110 degrees) over linear travel range

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Hurco VC500i cost?

New pricing runs $200,000-$270,000. Through-spindle coolant and probing are recommended options. Used VC500i machines from 2017-2022 sell for $110,000-$180,000 depending on hours and condition.

02 How does the VC500i differ from the VMX30Ui trunnion?

The VC500i has a B/C configuration with +/-110 degree tilt and a 500 mm table, while the VMX30Ui uses an A/C trunnion with +30/-110 degree tilt and a 248 mm table. The VC500i offers more angular access and a larger table but less linear travel (520x450x400 vs 762x508x520 mm). Choose the VC500i for dedicated 5-axis production, the VMX30Ui for mixed 3-axis and 5-axis work.

03 Can the VC500i handle impeller machining?

Yes. The +/-110 degree B-axis range, 500 mm table, and simultaneous 5-axis capability make it well-suited for small-to-medium impellers and blisks. The 12,000 RPM spindle handles aluminum impellers effectively. For steel or titanium impellers, the limited spindle power requires conservative parameters.

04 Why is the VC500i so heavy for its travel size?

Hurco built the VC500i with a very rigid frame to maximize accuracy and surface finish quality during simultaneous 5-axis contouring. The 7,170 kg weight provides mass damping that smaller, lighter machines can't match. This rigidity translates to better surface finish and tighter tolerances on precision parts.

05 What workholding options work on the 500 mm table?

The table has T-slots for standard 5-axis vises from Lang, Schunk, and Kurt. Zero-point clamping systems (Erowa, System 3R, Hirschmann) bolt directly to the table for quick part changeover. The 250 kg load capacity supports typical fixture-and-part combinations for parts fitting the 500 mm envelope.