Hydromat HT-57

The Hydromat HT-57 is the largest model in Hydromat's HT (Horizontal Transfer) rotary transfer series, designed for high-volume precision machining of larger prismatic and rotational components up to 57 mm (2.24 in) bar diameter or equivalent chuck size. Where the HT-32 addresses the 32 mm diameter class typical of small hydraulic fittings and connectors, the HT-57 targets larger components — transmission valve bodies, steering gear housings, heavy hydraulic manifolds, and industrial fluid power components — that require the same rotary transfer throughput advantage at a larger scale. The machine uses a 12-station rotary indexing table, providing more stations than the HT-32's 8 while maintaining a more manageable footprint than a 16-station EPIC configuration.

The HT-57's indexing table is built on a precision-ground cast iron base with hydraulic clamping at each station position and a servo-assisted indexing drive for consistent, repeatable station-to-station positioning. The 12 stations are arranged in a circular pattern with each position capable of accepting horizontal, vertical, or angled spindle unit mounting. Typical HT-57 configurations combine multiple drilling and tapping heads for cross-bore and end-face operations, face milling units for datum surfaces, precision boring bars for tight-tolerance bores, and broaching or burnishing units for finished surface quality. The 57 mm diameter capacity is large enough to accommodate many automatic transmission hydraulic circuit components, which represent one of the machine's primary markets.

Hydromat's modular spindle unit system on the HT-57 uses the same tooling interface as the HT-32 and HT-45, allowing cross-model spindle transfer for shops operating multiple Hydromat machines. Drive units range from simple 2.2 kW drilling heads to 11 kW heavy-duty boring and face milling units for the larger material removal challenges common in the HT-57's size class. The control system — Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLC-based with CNC servo axes on adjustable stations — manages the hydraulic indexing sequence, spindle engagement, coolant delivery, and part presence sensing through a single operator interface.

New HT-57 systems are priced in the $700,000 to $1,100,000 range, positioning between the HT-45 and the EPIC series in Hydromat's lineup. The used market for HT-57 machines is active in the Midwest and South where automotive manufacturing concentration is highest, with well-maintained reconditioned units trading in the $200,000-$450,000 range. For manufacturers producing large prismatic parts at volumes above 30,000-50,000 per year, the HT-57 delivers compelling economics versus alternative multi-operation CNC strategies.