Hurco VMX42Ui

Est. $180,000 - $240,000 (new) Specs verified 2026-10-03 · hurco.com Updated 2026-10-03

Image: hurco.com, Hurco

Key Specifications

X Travel

1,067 mm (42 in)

Y Travel

610 mm (24.01 in)

Z Travel

521 mm (20.52 in)

Max Spindle

12,000 rpm

Spindle Taper

CAT 40

Tool Capacity

40 tools

How much does the Hurco VMX42Ui cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$180,000 - $240,000 (new)

Our best estimate for a 5-axis machining center in this class — not a quote from Hurco. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Hurco VMX42Ui is Hurco's current U-series 5-axis machining center on the 42 in frame, with 1,067 x 610 x 521 mm (42 x 24.01 x 20.52 in) of travel, a 399 mm (15.7 in) table and a 12,000 rpm CAT 40 spindle. What defines it is torque: 238.7 Nm (176.1 ft-lb) from an 18 kW (24 hp) motor.

That torque figure sets it apart from the other 42 in 5-axis machines. The VMX42SRTi has twice the power, 36.5 kW (48 hp), but 120.2 Nm (88.7 ft-lb) of torque. The older VMX42UDi ran to 15,000 rpm with 95 Nm (70.4 ft. lbs) at 1,500 rpm. On the VMX42Ui the spindle gives up top speed for pull at low rpm, which is what drilling, tapping and face milling in steel need. Small-tool finishing in aluminium is where the 12,000 rpm ceiling shows.

The table carries 250 kg (550 lb). That is a small-part rating, against 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) on the 1,270 x 610 mm (50 x 24.01 in) table of the VMX42SRTi, so the VMX42Ui is for parts and fixtures that fit on a 399 mm table rather than for long workpieces. The C axis turns 360° at 25 rpm. The listed table does not give the tilt axis range or speed, so get those from Hurco before quoting 5-axis work or building fixtures. Z travel is 521 mm (20.52 in), with a listed spindle-nose-to-table distance of 90 mm (3.54 in).

The 40-tool magazine changes tool-to-tool in 2 sec and takes tools up to 76 mm (3 in) in diameter, 300 mm (11.8 in) long and 7 kg (15.4 lb). The machine weighs 7,160 kg (15,752 lb). It runs Hurco's WinMax control, which offers conversational programming at the machine alongside NC code.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
C Axis Speed	25 rpm
Max Table Load	250 kg (550 lb)
Spindle Nose to Table	90 mm (3.54 in)
Machine Weight	7,160 kg (15,752 lb)
X-Axis Travel	1,067 mm (42 in)
Y-Axis Travel	610 mm (24.01 in)
Z-Axis Travel	521 mm (20.52 in)
C Axis Range	360°
Spindle Motor Power	18 kW (24 hp)
Spindle Torque	238.7 Nm (176.1 ft-lb)
Max Spindle Speed	12,000 rpm
Spindle Taper	CAT 40
Tool Capacity	40 tools
Tool to Tool Time	2 sec
Max Tool Diameter (full magazine)	76 mm (3 in)
Max Tool Length	300 mm (11.8 in)
Max Tool Weight	7 kg (15.4 lb)
Table Size	399 mm (15.7 in) × 399 mm (15.7 in)

Specifications sourced from hurco.com — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

238.7 Nm (176.1 ft-lb) of spindle torque, about double the 120.2 Nm (88.7 ft-lb) of the VMX42SRTi
Current Hurco model with 1,067 x 610 x 521 mm (42 x 24.01 x 20.52 in) of travel
40-tool magazine with a 2 sec tool-to-tool time
Takes tools up to 76 mm (3 in) in diameter, 300 mm (11.8 in) long and 7 kg (15.4 lb)
Hurco WinMax control, programmable conversationally at the machine or with NC code

Limitations

Table load is 250 kg (550 lb), against 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) on the VMX42SRTi
Peak spindle power is 18 kW (24 hp), half the 36.5 kW (48 hp) of the VMX42SWi
The 12,000 rpm top speed is half the 24,000 rpm of the VMX42HSRTi, which slows small-tool finishing
The listed table gives the C axis (360°, 25 rpm) but no tilt axis range, so confirm it with Hurco
Z travel is 521 mm (20.52 in), less than the 610 mm (24.01 in) of the VMX42SRTi

Best For

5-axis steel parts that need low-speed torque more than top speed Parts and fixtures within a 399 mm (15.7 in) table and 250 kg (550 lb) Drilling, tapping and face milling on multi-sided parts Shops that want to program at the machine with WinMax conversational

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the VMX42Ui differ from the VMX42SRTi?

Both have 1,067 mm (42 in) of X and 610 mm (24.01 in) of Y. The VMX42SRTi has 610 mm (24.01 in) of Z, a 1,270 x 610 mm (50 x 24.01 in) table for 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) and a 36.5 kW (48 hp), 120.2 Nm (88.7 ft-lb) spindle. The VMX42Ui has 521 mm (20.52 in) of Z, a 399 mm (15.7 in) table for 250 kg (550 lb) and an 18 kW (24 hp), 238.7 Nm (176.1 ft-lb) spindle.

02 How does the VMX42Ui compare with the older VMX42UDi?

Both have 18 kW (24 hp) and a 250 kg (550 lb) table rating. The VMX42UDi ran to 15,000 rpm with 95 Nm (70.4 ft. lbs) at 1,500 rpm on a 398 mm (15.7 in) table. The VMX42Ui stops at 12,000 rpm but delivers 238.7 Nm (176.1 ft-lb), so it cuts steel harder and runs small tools slower.

03 What tools does the VMX42Ui hold?

The magazine holds 40 CAT 40 tools and changes tool-to-tool in 2 sec. A tool can be up to 76 mm (3 in) in diameter, 300 mm (11.8 in) long and 7 kg (15.4 lb).

04 What are the rotary axis specifications of the VMX42Ui?

The listed table gives a C axis of 360° at 25 rpm. It does not give the range or speed of the tilt axis, so ask Hurco for those figures before planning fixtures or quoting undercut features.

05 How heavy is the VMX42Ui?

The machine weighs 7,160 kg (15,752 lb). That is a rigging and floor-loading job to plan before delivery, not a forklift move across a shop floor.