Hurco VMX42Ui
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Hurco VMX42Ui is the workhorse of Hurco's trunnion 5-axis lineup. With 42 inches of X travel and a 399 mm (15.7 in) trunnion table, it bridges the gap between compact 5-axis machines and full-size production platforms. This is the machine shops buy when they've outgrown a 30-inch envelope but don't need (or can't fit) a 60-inch machine.
Travels are 1,067 x 610 x 520 mm (42 x 24 x 20.5 in) with A-axis tilt of +30/-110 degrees and full 360-degree C-axis rotation. The 399 mm (15.7 in) diameter trunnion table handles 250 kg (550 lb) — enough for mid-size aerospace brackets, manifolds, and mold components with fixturing. The min/max spindle-to-table clearance of 90/610 mm gives good Z-axis working range.
The spindle delivers 12,000 RPM through a CAT 40 / Big Plus taper with 15 kW (20 hp) of peak power and 238.8 Nm (176.1 ft-lbs) of torque at 720 RPM. That's serious torque for a 40-taper spindle — more than enough to drive face mills and large endmills through steel without stalling. The 40-tool ATC keeps plenty of cutters loaded for complex multi-operation jobs.
Rapids hit 38 m/min (1,496 ipm) on X/Y and 32 m/min (1,260 ipm) on Z, matching the smaller VMX30Ui despite the larger travel envelope. Rotary axes rapid at 25 RPM. WinMax control handles conversational 5-axis programming, 3D DXF import, and standard G-code from CAM.
At 7,260 kg (15,752 lb), the VMX42Ui has the mass to damp vibration during heavy cuts. Floor space is 4,600 x 3,718 mm (181 x 146 in), and power draw is 31 KVA. The machine needs proper anchoring — at this weight, foundation quality directly affects accuracy.
New pricing runs $180,000-$240,000. Used VMX42Ui machines from 2015-2021 trade in the $100,000-$160,000 range. Direct competitors include the Haas UMC-750 and the DMG MORI DMU 65 monoBlock.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 1,067 mm (42 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 610 mm (24 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 520 mm (20.5 in) |
| A Axis Range | +30° / -110° |
| C Axis Range | 360° |
| Max Spindle Speed | 12,000 RPM |
| Spindle Taper | CAT 40 / Big Plus |
| Spindle Motor Power | 15 kW (20 hp) peak |
| Spindle Torque | 176.1 ft. lbs @ 720 rpm (238.8 Nm @ 720 rpm) |
| Tool Capacity | 40 |
| Rotary Table Diameter | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Max Table Load | 250 kg (550 lb) |
| Rapid Traverse Xy | 38 m/min (1,496 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 32 m/min (1,260 ipm) |
| Rotary Axis Rapid | 25 RPM |
| Max Tool Diameter | 3.0 in (76 mm) |
| Max Tool Length | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Max Tool Weight | 15.4 lb (7 kg) |
| Machine Weight | 7,260 kg (15,752 lb) |
| Floor Space | 4,600 x 3,718 mm (181 x 146 in) |
| CNC Control | Hurco WinMax |
| Travels Capacityx Y Z Axis Travel | 42 x 24 x 20.5 in (1,067 x 610 x 520 mm) |
| A Axis Travel | +30°/-110° |
| C Axis Travel | 360° |
| Spindle Nose To Table | 3.5 in / 24 in (90 mm / 610 mm) |
| Table Diameter | 15.7 in (399 mm) |
| Max Weight On Rotary Trunnion Table | 550 lbs (250 kg) |
| T Slot Size | 6 x .48 in x 60° (6 x 12 mm x 60°) |
| Spindlemax Spindle Speed | 12,000 rpm |
| Peak Spindle Motor | 20 hp (15 kW) |
| Tool Changertool Type | CAT 40 (CAT, BT, DIN 40) |
| Feedratesrapid Traverse Xyz Axis | 1,496, 1,496, 1,260 in/min (38, 38, 32 m/min) |
| Max Programmable Feedrate | 1,260 in/min (32 m/min) |
| Rapid Traverse A C Axis | 25 rpm |
| Sizemax Operating Floor Space | 181.1 x 146.4 in (4,600 x 3,718 mm) |
| Machine Height | 122.5 in (3,111 mm) |
| Machine Weight | 15,752 lb (7,260 kg) |
| Electricalpower Rating Full Load Kva | 31 KVA |
Specifications sourced from hurco.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 42 inches of X travel with a trunnion table gives 5-axis access to mid-size parts most compact machines can't handle
- 238.8 Nm (176 ft-lbs) of spindle torque at 720 RPM drives face mills through steel without hesitation
- 399 mm (15.7 in) trunnion table is large enough for real production parts beyond the small-part-only limitation
- 40-tool ATC keeps complex jobs loaded without mid-program tool swaps
- WinMax conversational 5-axis programming eliminates the CAM bottleneck for indexed 3+2 and simpler work
- 7,260 kg machine weight provides excellent stability and vibration damping during heavy cuts
Limitations
- 12,000 RPM spindle cap limits high-speed aluminum finishing compared to 15-20K RPM competitors
- 250 kg table load constrains heavier fixture-and-part combinations common in steel production work
- 4,600 x 3,718 mm footprint requires significant floor space that smaller shops may not have
- WinMax control is Hurco-proprietary — operator skills don't transfer to Fanuc, Siemens, or Haas
- Hurco's dealer network is thinner than competitors, particularly outside major metro areas
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New base pricing starts around $180,000. Configured with through-spindle coolant, probing, chip conveyor, and spindle chiller, expect $210,000-$240,000. Used VMX42Ui machines from 2015-2021 sell for $100,000-$160,000 depending on hours, condition, and options.
02
The DMU 65 offers a swivel-head design with larger work envelope and Siemens/Heidenhain control options, priced at $250-350K. The Hurco is $60-100K less, offers conversational programming, and uses a trunnion table instead of a swivel head. For job shops, the Hurco's programming speed and price are advantages. For production shops, the DMG MORI's build quality and control options may justify the premium.
03
Yes, within reason. The 176 ft-lbs of torque and 7,260 kg machine weight provide the rigidity needed for titanium. Use conservative depths of cut, proper tool coatings, and high-pressure through-spindle coolant. It won't match the material removal rates of a 50-taper machine, but for small-to-mid-size titanium parts, it's capable.
04
The UHSi upgrades to an 18,000 RPM HSK 63 spindle with 35 kW (47 hp) and higher rapids (45/40 m/min). It's designed for high-speed aluminum machining and contoured surface finishing. The standard Ui's 12K RPM CAT 40 spindle with more low-end torque is better suited for general-purpose work including steel.
05
Yes. The table has 6 T-slots with 12 mm x 60-degree geometry. Standard 5-axis vises from Lang, Schunk, and Kurt mount directly. The 250 kg load capacity supports typical fixture-and-part combinations. For heavier assemblies, consider the VMX42SRTi swivel-head variant with its 1,360 kg table load.
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