Matsuura Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)

Matsuura LF-160

Est. $120,000 - $200,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · matsuurausa.com Updated 2026-10-03

Image: matsuurausa.com, Matsuura

Key Specifications

X Travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

Y Travel

250 mm (9.8 in)

Z Travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Max Spindle

46,000 rpm BT30 (standard); 46,000 rpm HSK-E40 (optional)

Spindle Taper

BT40

table load capacity

500 kg (1,102 lb)

How much does the Matsuura LF-160 cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$120,000 - $200,000

Our best estimate for a vertical machining centers (vmc) in this class — not a quote from Matsuura. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Matsuura LF-160 is a compact five-axis machine built around a Ø 100 mm pallet, with 500 mm (19.7 in) of X, 250 mm (9.8 in) of Y and 300 mm (11.8 in) of Z travel and a 46,000 rpm spindle. Its two rotary axes are listed by speed, B at 100 min-1 and C at 200 min-1. The largest workpiece in the table is Ø 160 × H 230 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 9.05 in) in standard form, falling to a bullet-shaped Ø 160 × H 200 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 7.87 in) in the configuration marked [with PC].

Those limits define the work. Anything that fits inside a 160 mm circle and stands on a 100 mm pallet is a candidate; anything wider is not. The 46,000 rpm figure applies to both spindle versions listed, BT30 as standard and HSK-E40 as an option, and the tool holder row names BT30, SK30 and HSK40. That combination points at small end mills, ball mills and drills run at high surface speed, not at face mills or heavy roughing cutters, which a 30-size holder is not made to carry.

Rapid traverse is 42 m/min (1,654 ipm). The LV-500 shares the 500 mm X and 300 mm Z travels and the same 46,000 rpm spindle choice, but it has 350 mm (13.8 in) of Y and its rapids are listed at 60 m/min (2,362 ipm). The LV-500 table lists no rotary axes; the LF-160 has B and C, so a part can be reached from several sides in one clamping instead of being refixtured.

The table does not give spindle power, tool magazine size, coolant or rotary axis ranges for this model. Those are the figures to obtain before comparing it with anything else, and the tilt range in particular decides whether undercuts and compound angles on a given part can be reached.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Y-Axis Travel	250 mm (9.8 in)
Z-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Max Spindle Speed	46,000 rpm BT30 (standard); 46,000 rpm HSK-E40 (optional)
Spindle Taper	BT40
Table Load Capacity	500 kg (1,102 lb)
Rapid Traverse Xyz	42 m/min (1,654 ipm)
B Axis	100 min-1
C Axis	200 min-1
Pallet Size	Ø 100 mm
Tool Holder	BT30 / SK30 / HSK40
Max Workpiece Size	Standard; Ø 160 × H 230 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 9.05 in); [with PC]; Ø 160 × H 200 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 7.87 in) Bullet shape

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

46,000 rpm spindle in both listed versions, BT30 standard and HSK-E40 optional
B axis at 100 min-1 and C axis at 200 min-1 allow multi-face work on small parts in one clamping
Accepts workpieces up to Ø 160 × H 230 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 9.05 in) in standard form on a Ø 100 mm pallet
Tool holder row lists BT30, SK30 and HSK40, so existing 30-size tooling in several standards can be used
42 m/min (1,654 ipm) rapid traverse across 500 mm (19.7 in) of X travel

Limitations

Y travel is 250 mm (9.8 in), against 350 mm (13.8 in) on the LV-500
Workpiece height drops from H 230 mm to H 200 mm, bullet shape, in the [with PC] configuration
30-size holders (BT30 / SK30 / HSK40) rule out large face mills and heavy roughing
The table gives no spindle power, magazine size or rotary axis ranges, so those must be confirmed with Matsuura

Best For

Small multi-face parts within Ø 160 mm High-speed finishing with small end mills and ball mills Parts that need B and C axis access in one clamping Precision components that fit a Ø 100 mm pallet

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How large a part can the LF-160 take?

The table lists Ø 160 × H 230 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 9.05 in) as standard. In the configuration marked [with PC] the limit is Ø 160 × H 200 mm (Ø 6.29 × H 7.87 in), bullet shape, so a part has to taper toward the top to use the full height. The pallet itself is Ø 100 mm.

02 Which spindle and tool holders does the LF-160 use?

The spindle runs to 46,000 rpm with BT30 as standard and HSK-E40 as an option, both at the same 46,000 rpm. The tool holder row names BT30, SK30 and HSK40. These are small holders meant for small cutters at high speed.

03 How does the LF-160 differ from the LV-500?

Both have 500 mm (19.7 in) of X, 300 mm (11.8 in) of Z and a 46,000 rpm spindle with BT30 standard and HSK-E40 optional. The LV-500 has 350 mm (13.8 in) of Y and 60 m/min (2,362 ipm) rapids. The LF-160 has 250 mm (9.8 in) of Y, 42 m/min (1,654 ipm) rapids, and adds B and C rotary axes on a Ø 100 mm pallet.

04 How fast are the rotary axes on the LF-160?

The table lists the B axis at 100 min-1 and the C axis at 200 min-1. It does not give the tilt range of the B axis, so check that the angles a part needs can be reached before committing a job to the machine.

05 What does the LF-160 table not tell me?

It gives no spindle power, tool magazine size, coolant arrangement or rotary axis ranges. Ask Matsuura for those figures before comparing the LF-160 with other machines, since they decide cutting capacity and how many tools a part program can call.