Hurco TM8i
Key Specifications
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Spindle Power
Max Turn Length
Accuracy
Overview
The Hurco TM8i is a slant-bed CNC turning center sized around an 8-inch chuck and a 457 mm (18 in) maximum turning diameter. It targets job shops and educational facilities that want a compact, capable lathe with the same WinMax conversational control found on Hurco's VMC lineup. The ability to share a common control language between turning and milling operations is a genuine productivity advantage for mixed-process shops — operators trained on a VMX-i can transition to the TM8i without a separate control learning curve.
The spindle runs at up to 4,000 RPM with a 15 kW (20 hp) rating, driven by a high-torque AC servo through a two-range belt drive. Maximum turning length is 508 mm (20 in) between centers. The 8-inch hydraulic chuck is standard, with collet chuck and 3-jaw options available. The tool turret is a 12-station bolt-on type with 1.8-second index time for adjacent stations.
WinMax Turn provides the same menu-driven, conversational programming approach on this lathe as on the VMC family. Machinists enter stock dimensions, feature types (OD, ID, face, groove, thread), and target dimensions; the control generates the turning toolpath automatically. Standard G-code ISO programming is also supported, and DXF profile import allows turning of complex contours directly from a 2D drawing file without CAM software.
The slant-bed construction with 45-degree incline provides excellent chip flow and operator ergonomics. The machine footprint is modest at approximately 2.4 x 1.7 m (8 x 5.5 ft). Thread cutting covers a wide metric and inch range including UN, NPT, and trapezoidal profiles natively in WinMax. The TM8i is well-suited to training programs where WinMax's visual feedback and error checking help new machinists learn turning fundamentals. Pricing typically falls in the $65,000–$85,000 range new.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Turning Diameter | 14 in (356 mm) |
| Max Turning Length | 20.67 in (525 mm) |
| Chuck Size | 8 in (203 mm) hydraulic |
| Bar Capacity | 52 mm (2.05 in) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 4,000 RPM |
| Spindle Motor Power | 25.48 hp (19 kW) |
| Spindle Nose | A2-6 |
| Spindle Bore | 65 mm (2.56 in) |
| Turret Stations | 12-station bolt-on turret |
| Turret Index Time | 1.8 sec (adjacent station) |
| X Axis Travel | 235 mm (9.25 in) |
| Z Axis Travel | 560 mm (22 in) |
| Rapid Traverse X | 20 m/min (787 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 24 m/min (945 ipm) |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) |
| Repeatability | ±0.003 mm (±0.00012 in) |
| Machine Weight | 8,885 lb (4,030 kg) |
| CNC Control | Hurco WinMax Turn (15.4-in touch-screen, conversational + G-code) |
| Coolant Capacity | 150 L (40 gal) |
| Electrical | 230/460 VAC 3-phase, 40 A |
| Travels Capacitydistance Between Centers | 23.49 in (597 mm) |
| Swing Over Bed Diameter | 20.67 in (525 mm) |
| Swing Over Cross Slide Diameter | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Max Bar Capacity | 2.5 in (64 mm) |
| X Z Axis Travel | 8, 21.65 in (203, 550 mm) |
| Spindlemax Spindle Speed | 4,000 rpm |
| Max Torque High Gear | 133.83 ft lbs @ 1,000 rpm (100.7 Nm @ 1,000 rpm) |
| Spindle Taper | A2-6 |
| Chuck Diameter | 8.2 in (210 mm) |
| Turrettool Type | Slotted Disc |
| Tool Capacity | 12 stations |
| Turret Index Time Adjacent | 1.3 seconds |
| Turret Index Time Furthest | 3.6 seconds |
| Feedratesrapid Traverse Xz Axis | 1,181 in/min (30 m/min) |
| Sizemax Operating Floor Space | 170.7 x 122.6 in (4,336 x 3,114 mm) |
| Machine Height | 86.32 in (2,193.0 mm) |
| Parts Catcher Dimensions | 5.9 x 3.7 x 2.8 in (150 x 95 x 70 mm) |
Specifications sourced from hurco.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- WinMax Turn conversational control matches the interface on Hurco's VMC lineup, eliminating a separate learning curve for shops with multiple Hurco machines
- DXF profile import lets machinists generate complex turning toolpaths directly from 2D drawings without CAM software
- 12-station bolt-on turret accommodates a wide mix of OD, ID, and threading tools for versatile multi-operation turning
- 45-degree slant-bed construction provides excellent chip flow, reduces chip packing around the turret, and improves operator ergonomics
Limitations
- No live tooling option on the TM8i — shops requiring milling, drilling, or cross-drilling on the lathe must step up to the TM12i or a mill-turn platform
- 4,000 RPM maximum spindle speed limits high-speed finishing on small-diameter parts compared to 6,000+ RPM competitors in this chuck class
- 12-station bolt-on turret index time of 1.8 seconds is adequate but slower than driven-tool VDI turrets on competing lathes at similar price points
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
No. The TM8i is a turning-only machine with a fixed-tool bolt-on turret. For live tooling (milling, drilling off-centerline, cross-drilling), Hurco offers the TM12i with live tooling option or the mill-turn platforms in the HTX series. If live tooling is a current or near-future requirement, plan for the TM12i from the start.
02
WinMax Turn is optimized for lathe operations — it uses diameter/depth/length entry for OD and ID features, groove and thread cycles, and contour turning from DXF profiles. The underlying interface philosophy and menu structure are consistent with WinMax Mill, so operators familiar with either version adapt quickly to the other. Both share the same 15.4-inch touch-screen hardware.
03
WinMax Turn supports UN/UNF/UNC, metric (ISO), NPT/NPTF, Whitworth, BSPP, BSPT, and trapezoidal (Acme/stub) threads natively through conversational cycles. Lead, pitch, start points, and chamfer lengths are entered directly; no G-code threading macro is required. Custom thread leads can also be entered for special applications.
04
The standard spindle bore allows 52 mm (2.05 in) bar stock through the spindle. A bar feeder can be interfaced directly. For bar work larger than 52 mm, parts must be chucked individually. The 8-inch chuck jaws can grip stock up to the jaw opening capacity, which depends on the jaw set installed.
05
A new Haas ST-10 (8.5-inch chuck, similar envelope) starts around $38,000–$45,000, roughly half the TM8i's price. The Hurco commands a premium for the WinMax conversational control and the Hurco ecosystem integration. For shops that will benefit from conversational programming on the lathe, the premium is justified. For shops running purely G-code from CAM, the Haas offers equivalent turning capability at lower cost.
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