Hurco VMX24i

The Hurco VMX24i is the entry point into Hurco's VMX performance series, offering the upgraded castings, roller guides, and 40-tool ATC that separate VMX machines from the lighter VM line. With travels of 610 x 508 x 610 mm (24 x 20 x 24 in), it's a mid-size VMC that competes directly with the Haas VF-2 and DN Solutions DNM 4500.

The spindle runs 12,000 RPM through a Big Plus CAT 40 taper producing 13.4 kW (18 hp) and 213 Nm (157 ft-lbs) of torque at 600 RPM. That torque number is strong for a 40-taper machine and lets you push face mills and large endmills harder than the power rating alone suggests. The Big Plus dual-contact taper adds rigidity at the spindle nose, which pays off in finish quality and tool life.

Table dimensions are 914 x 508 mm (36 x 20 in) with a 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) max load. The 40-tool arm-type ATC is a significant advantage over the 20-tool changers on Hurco's VM series and the 24-tool standard on the Haas VF-2. More loaded tools means less downtime between jobs in a high-mix environment.

The VMX24i uses roller linear guides on X and Y with a box way on Z. This hybrid approach gives you the speed of linear guides for rapid positioning and the damping of a box way on the heavy-cutting axis. It's the same philosophy used by Okuma and Mazak on their premium VMCs. Rapids hit 38 m/min (1,496 ipm) on X and Y, 32 m/min (1,260 ipm) on Z.

At 4,900 kg (10,803 lb), the VMX24i is a substantial machine that needs proper anchoring. The WinMax control gives you the same conversational programming advantage as every Hurco — program simple parts at the machine in minutes, run complex CAM programs with equal fluency.

Pricing runs $85,000-$115,000 new, roughly 50% more than a base Haas VF-2 but with more tools, more torque, and conversational programming. Used VMX24i machines from 2015-2020 trade in the $40,000-$70,000 range.