Monforts RNC 500
Image: monforts-wzm.de, Monforts
Key Specifications
Max Turn Length
versions
swing over bed
swing over cross slide
spindle nose
draw tube inner diameter
How much does the Monforts RNC 500 cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the Monforts RNC 500 that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.
Overview
A turning length of 1,000 mm (39.4 in) and a swing of 600 mm (23.6 in) over the bed define the Monforts RNC 500, the mid-size slant-bed CNC lathe of the RNC series. Swing over the cross slide is 425 mm (16.7 in). It is the larger of the two RNC models that can be had as a DuoTurn with a counter spindle; the RNC 600 and RNC 700 above it are SingleTurn or MultiTurn only.
Against the RNC 400 the gain is mostly length and clearance: 1,000 mm (39.4 in) of turning length where the smaller machine has 600 mm (23.6 in). The spindle grows with it, to an A8 nose and a draw tube of 86 mm (3.4 in) inside diameter, and Monforts quotes a spindle bore of 96 mm on the product page.
Main drive power is 28 kW (37.5 hp) at 100% ED with a Siemens control and 18.5 kW (24.8 hp) with Fanuc, both to 4,000 rpm. That gap matters. A shop that prefers Fanuc gives up a third of the continuous power unless it orders one of the optional drive versions, which is also where the listed torque of 905 Nm (668 lb-ft) with Siemens and 974 Nm (718 lb-ft) with Fanuc comes from.
The turret is 12 x VDI 40. On the MultiTurn the driven tools are an optional version at 12 kW (16.1 hp) with Siemens or 13.7 kW (18.4 hp) with Fanuc, 25% ED, and 4,000 rpm; a Y-axis of ± 50 mm (2.0 in) is optional. The DuoTurn counter spindle carries an A6 nose, a 52 mm (2.0 in) draw tube and 22 kW (29.5 hp) at 100% ED, with torque of 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) on Siemens and 239 Nm (176 lb-ft) on Fanuc. As on every RNC, the Z-axis slides on a hydrostatic guide.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Versions | SingleTurn, MultiTurn, DuoTurn |
| Max Turning Length | 1,000 mm (39.4 in) |
| Swing Over Bed | 600 mm (23.6 in) |
| Swing Over Cross Slide | 425 mm (16.7 in) |
| Spindle Nose | A8 (DIN 55026) |
| Draw Tube Inner Diameter | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Spindle Power Siemens | 28 kW (37.5 hp) at 100% ED; optional version [23.7 ZF] |
| Spindle Speed Max Siemens | 4,000 rpm |
| Spindle Power Fanuc | 18.5 kW (24.8 hp) at 100% ED; optional version [30 ZF] |
| Spindle Speed Max Fanuc | 4,000 rpm |
| Spindle Torque Siemens | 905 Nm (668 lb-ft) (optional version) |
| Spindle Torque Fanuc | 974 Nm (718 lb-ft) (optional version) |
| Turret Stations | 12 x VDI 40 |
| Driven Tools | 12 (optional version) |
| Driven Tool Power Siemens | 12 kW (16.1 hp) at 25% ED (optional version) |
| Driven Tool Power Fanuc | 13.7 kW (18.4 hp) at 25% ED (optional version) |
| Driven Tool Speed Max Siemens | 4,000 rpm |
| Driven Tool Speed Max Fanuc | 4,000 rpm |
| Y Axis Travel | ± 50 mm (2.0 in), optional |
| Counter Spindle Nose | A6 (DIN 55026), DuoTurn version |
| Counter Spindle Draw Tube Inner Diameter | 52 mm (2.0 in) |
| Counter Spindle Speed Max Siemens | 4,000 rpm |
| Counter Spindle Speed Max Fanuc | 4,000 rpm |
| Counter Spindle Power | 22 kW (29.5 hp) at 100% ED; 25 kW (33.5 hp) at 40% ED |
| Counter Spindle Torque Siemens | 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) |
| Counter Spindle Torque Fanuc | 239 Nm (176 lb-ft) |
Specifications sourced from monforts-wzm.de — verified 2026-10-05
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 1,000 mm (39.4 in) of turning length with 425 mm (16.7 in) of swing over the cross slide
- Largest RNC model offered as a DuoTurn: A6 counter spindle, 22 kW (29.5 hp) at 100% ED, 4,000 rpm
- 28 kW (37.5 hp) at 100% ED from the Siemens main drive
- A8 spindle nose with an 86 mm (3.4 in) draw tube as standard
- Optional driven tools reach 13.7 kW (18.4 hp) at 25% ED with Fanuc, nearly double the RNC 400 figure of 7.2 kW (9.7 hp)
Limitations
- The Fanuc main drive is 18.5 kW (24.8 hp) at 100% ED, well under the 28 kW (37.5 hp) of the Siemens drive
- The table shows no optional spindle nose or draw tube, where the RNC 600 can take an A11 nose and a 90 mm (3.5 in) draw tube
- Counter spindle torque is 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) with Siemens, so heavy second-side roughing is limited
- Y-axis travel is ± 50 mm (2.0 in) and it is an option
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Both have 1,000 mm (39.4 in) of turning length, an A8 nose and the same drive ratings. The RNC 600 has more clearance, 640 mm (25.2 in) over the bed and 505 mm (19.9 in) over the cross slide, against 600 mm (23.6 in) and 425 mm (16.7 in) here. Only the RNC 500 is offered as a DuoTurn with a counter spindle and with an optional Y-axis.
02
The counter spindle has an A6 nose to DIN 55026 and a draw tube of 52 mm (2.0 in) inside diameter. It runs to 4,000 rpm with either control and is rated 22 kW (29.5 hp) at 100% ED and 25 kW (33.5 hp) at 40% ED. Maximum torque is 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) with Siemens and 239 Nm (176 lb-ft) with Fanuc.
03
On the main spindle, Siemens: 28 kW (37.5 hp) at 100% ED against 18.5 kW (24.8 hp) for Fanuc, both at 4,000 rpm. On the optional driven tools it is the other way round, with 13.7 kW (18.4 hp) for Fanuc and 12 kW (16.1 hp) for Siemens at 25% ED.
04
A turret with 12 x VDI 40 stations. In the optional driven version all 12 stations can carry live tools at up to 4,000 rpm. Monforts also lists a hard turning package, tool and workpiece measurement and an automatic loading and unloading system for the machine.
