Leadwell V-40i
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Leadwell V-40i is a mid-size vertical machining center from Taiwan's Leadwell CNC Machines, providing 800 x 450 mm (31.5 x 17.7 in) X/Y travel in a compact, rigid box-way construction. Leadwell is one of Taiwan's most established CNC machine tool builders, with a 40-year history and strong export presence in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The V-40i represents their core job shop VMC in the 400 mm X-travel class.
The machine features a 15 kW (20 hp) gear-driven spindle at up to 8,000 RPM with a BT40 taper, box-way guideways on all three axes, and a 24-station umbrella ATC. Table size is 900 x 450 mm (35.4 x 17.7 in) with a 700 kg (1,543 lb) maximum table load. The rigid box-way construction — characteristic of Leadwell's VMC philosophy — provides the vibration damping and heavy-cut rigidity that distinguishes the V-series from competing linear-guide VMCs at similar pricing.
The Fanuc 0i-MF control provides full G-code capability with canned cycles, rigid tapping, and macro programming. Leadwell has built a reputation in North America for delivering reliable, no-frills machines at competitive price points backed by their dealer network and parts availability. The V-40i has been in production in various iterations for over 20 years, making it one of the most proven VMC designs in the Taiwanese machining center market.
The V-40i competes with the Chevalier FVB-1640M3, Haas VF-2 (linear guides), and Brother Speedio S700X in the 800 mm X-travel class. Leadwell's competitive advantage is box-way construction at a price point well below Japanese and German alternatives, with a long track record of reliability in North American job shops. New pricing runs $45,000–$65,000.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 800 mm (31.5 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 450 mm (17.7 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 500 mm (19.7 in) |
| Table Size | 900 x 450 mm (35.4 x 17.7 in) |
| T Slots | 5 slots, 14 mm wide |
| Max Table Load | 700 kg (1,543 lb) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 8,000 RPM |
| Spindle Taper | BT40 |
| Spindle Motor Power | 15 kW (20 hp) |
| Spindle Torque | 143 Nm (105 ft-lb) |
| Tool Capacity | 24-station umbrella ATC |
| Tool To Tool | 5.0 sec |
| Chip To Chip | 7.0 sec |
| Max Tool Diameter | 75 mm (2.95 in) |
| Max Tool Length | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Max Tool Weight | 7 kg (15.4 lb) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 18 m/min (709 ipm) X/Y; 15 m/min (591 ipm) Z |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) |
| Repeatability | ±0.003 mm (±0.00012 in) |
| Guideway System | Box-way (hardened and ground all axes) |
| Machine Weight | 5,200 kg (11,464 lb) |
| CNC Control | Fanuc 0i-MF |
| Coolant Capacity | 180 L (48 gal) |
| Electrical | 220/440 VAC 3-phase, 45 A |
Specifications sourced from leadwell.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Box-way construction on all axes provides superior vibration damping for heavy cuts in steel, cast iron, and stainless, with longer guide life under abrasive chip conditions
- 20 hp gear-driven spindle delivers strong low-end torque for aggressive roughing with large-diameter face mills and boring operations
- Fanuc 0i-MF control is the most widely used CNC interface in North American shops — minimal learning curve and complete post-processor compatibility
- Competitive pricing at $45K–$65K positions the V-40i as one of the lowest-cost box-way VMCs available from an established, reliable manufacturer
- 40-year Leadwell track record provides confidence in machine longevity and parts availability for the platform's full service life
Limitations
- 18 m/min X/Y rapids are significantly slower than linear-guide VMCs (Haas VF-2: 25 m/min) — cycle time penalty is noticeable in light-cut high-speed machining
- 8,000 RPM maximum spindle speed limits high-speed finishing in aluminum — linear-guide machines with 12,000–15,000 RPM are faster for aluminum-dominant production
- 24-station umbrella ATC with 5-second tool-to-tool time is slower than arm-type ATCs on competing machines — impacts total cycle time in programs with many tool changes
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The Haas VF-2 uses linear guideways, a 22.4 kW spindle, 20-station ATC, and 25 m/min rapids at a similar or slightly lower price point ($57,000–$65,000 base). The Leadwell V-40i offers box-way rigidity for heavy cuts, a slightly smaller travel envelope (800 vs 762 mm X), and lower rapids. For shops doing high-speed light cuts in aluminum with frequent tool changes, the Haas wins on speed. For shops doing heavy roughing in steel and cast iron, the Leadwell's box-way construction is the better structural choice.
02
The standard V-40i spindle is an 8,000 RPM gear-drive unit. A 10,000 RPM version is available in some Leadwell configurations with a direct-drive spindle, providing improved high-speed capability for steel milling and aluminum finishing at moderate material removal rates. Shops requiring 12,000+ RPM should evaluate Leadwell's linear-guide V-i series variants. The box-way V-40i is specifically designed for the rigidity-over-speed use case and the gear-drive spindle reflects this philosophy.
03
Leadwell has a network of authorized dealers in major North American manufacturing regions including the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western US. Parts for common wear items (spindle bearings, ATC components, servo drives) are stocked by Leadwell USA and regional dealers. Leadwell's Indianapolis-area technical support center handles service coordination for North American customers. Parts lead times are generally comparable to other Taiwanese builders — faster than European brands, slower than Haas with their US parts warehouses.
04
Yes. The Fanuc 0i-MF control on the V-40i supports rigid tapping (synchronized spindle and Z-axis feed) for M4 through M30 taps in aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. Rigid tapping is one of the most frequently used features in job shop machining and is fully functional on the V-40i using the standard G84 rigid tapping cycle. Specify the required M-code and G-code syntax from the Leadwell programming manual for the installed control version.
05
Leadwell provides a standard 12-month parts and labor warranty on new machines. Extended warranty options are available through Leadwell dealers. The machine's robust box-way construction historically results in very low warranty claim rates — Leadwell's reputation for reliability in North American shops is a significant selling point alongside the price.
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