Hwacheon Hi-Tech 450B

$95,000 - $150,000 Updated 2026-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

260 mm (10.2 in)

Z Travel

1,550 mm (61 in)

Rapid Traverse

24 m/min (945 IPM) X and Z

Spindle Power

30 kW (40 hp) continuous

Max Turn Length

1,550 mm (61 in)

max turning diameter

640 mm (25.2 in) over bed

Overview

The Hwacheon Hi-Tech 450B is a heavy-duty horizontal CNC turning center from the South Korean manufacturer Hwacheon Machine Tool, designed for production turning of medium-to-large shaft and chucked parts. With a maximum turning diameter of 640 mm over the bed and a maximum turning length of 1,550 mm, the Hi-Tech 450B handles the mid-range workpiece sizes common in general engineering, oil and gas, hydraulics, and heavy equipment manufacturing.

The main spindle features a 305 mm (12-inch) hydraulic chuck bore with 254 mm bar capacity through a 3-jaw hydraulic chuck, delivering 30 kW of continuous power at up to 2,500 RPM. The A2-8 spindle nose accepts standard chuck configurations, and spindle torque of 1,200 Nm ensures confident roughing in steel, stainless steel, and cast iron without speed compromise. The 12-station servo-driven turret accepts VDI 50 tooling with BMT (Base Mount Tooling) capability for live tool operations on the Y-axis-equipped variant.

The bed is a one-piece, heavily ribbed cast iron construction with Meehanite-grade casting, heat-treated and stress-relieved for long-term dimensional stability. Box ways on both X and Z axes provide the vibration damping and load capacity that roller guideways can't match for heavy turning applications. X-axis travel is 260 mm with Z-axis travel of 1,550 mm, and rapids hit 24 m/min on X and 24 m/min on Z.

Hwacheon has been building machine tools since 1945 and is South Korea's oldest machine tool manufacturer. The Hi-Tech 450B reflects their focus on durability and value — these machines are built to take heavy cuts day after day in demanding production environments. The Fanuc 0i-TF Plus control provides reliable, proven CNC capability with a programming environment that operators worldwide are familiar with. New Hi-Tech 450B machines typically price between $95,000 and $150,000, making them a strong value proposition against comparable Japanese and European lathes. The machine competes with the Doosan Puma 4100, DMG MORI CLX 450, and Okuma LB4000 EX II.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Turning Diameter	640 mm (25.2 in) over bed
Max Turning Length	1,550 mm (61 in)
Chuck Size	305 mm (12 in) hydraulic
Bar Capacity	80 mm (3.15 in) through spindle
Spindle Speed	2,500 RPM
Spindle Motor Power	30 kW (40 hp) continuous
Spindle Torque	1,200 Nm (885 ft-lb)
Spindle Nose	A2-8
X-Axis Travel	260 mm (10.2 in)
Z-Axis Travel	1,550 mm (61 in)
Rapid Traverse Rate	24 m/min (945 IPM) X and Z
Turret	12-station servo turret, VDI 50 / BMT
Guideways	Box ways (X and Z)
Tailstock Quill Diameter	120 mm (4.72 in)
CNC Control	Fanuc 0i-TF Plus
Machine Weight	7,500 kg (16,535 lb)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Box way construction on both axes provides superior vibration damping and load-carrying capacity for heavy interrupted cuts and large-diameter roughing operations
30 kW spindle with 1,200 Nm torque delivers confident heavy cutting in steel and cast iron without the chatter that under-powered machines produce
1,550 mm Z-axis travel handles long shaft work that shorter-bed lathes can't accommodate — a versatile range for general engineering and oil/gas components
Hwacheon's Meehanite cast iron bed with heavy ribbing provides the mass and rigidity for sustained accuracy over years of production use
Competitive pricing at $95K-$150K delivers heavy-duty turning capability at 30-40% less than comparable Japanese and European lathes
Fanuc 0i-TF Plus control is a proven, widely supported platform — operators and service technicians are readily available

Limitations

2,500 RPM maximum spindle speed limits high-speed finishing on small diameters — shops doing significant small-diameter work may want a higher-speed machine
Box ways require more careful maintenance (lubrication, adjustment) than roller guideways, and rapids are slower than guideway machines
24 m/min rapid traverse is adequate but not fast — high-volume production with frequent long-distance positioning may see cycle time impact
Hwacheon's dealer network in North America is smaller than Doosan, Mazak, or DMG MORI, potentially affecting parts and service response times in some regions

Best For

General engineering job shops turning medium-to-large shafts, flanges, housings, and tubular components in steel, stainless, and cast iron Oil and gas manufacturers producing downhole tools, valve bodies, flanges, and pipe fittings requiring heavy-duty box-way rigidity Heavy equipment and agricultural machinery manufacturers turning axle shafts, hubs, and large-diameter pins Shops replacing aging manual or CNC lathes that need proven box-way durability without the price tag of Japanese or European premium brands Production environments running 12-inch chuck work with long shaft turning capability up to 1,550 mm between centers

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the Hwacheon Hi-Tech 450B compare to the Doosan Puma 4100?

Both are Korean-built heavy-duty CNC lathes in a similar size class. The Hwacheon Hi-Tech 450B uses box ways on both axes for maximum rigidity, while the Doosan Puma 4100 uses roller guideways for faster rapids and higher positioning accuracy. The Hwacheon typically prices 10-15% below the Doosan. For heavy roughing and vibration-sensitive work, the Hwacheon's box ways are preferred. For higher production speed and precision finishing, the Doosan's linear guides have the edge.

02 What does a Hwacheon Hi-Tech 450B cost?

New Hi-Tech 450B machines price between $95,000 and $150,000 depending on bed length, chuck size, live tooling capability, Y-axis option, and tailstock configuration. A base 2-axis turning-only configuration sits around $95K, while a fully equipped Y-axis mill-turn variant with live tooling pushes toward $150K. Used machines from the 2010s can be found in the $40,000-$70,000 range.

03 Does the Hi-Tech 450B have live tooling?

The Hi-Tech 450B is available with live (driven) tool capability in the VDI 50 / BMT turret. The Y-axis variant adds off-center milling, drilling, and tapping capability. Live tool speed is typically 4,000-6,000 RPM with 5.5-7.5 kW of driven tool power. The C-axis provides angular positioning for cross-drilling and milling operations. Shops that need milling capability should specify the Y-axis/live-tool configuration at time of order.

04 What is box way construction and why does it matter?

Box ways (also called flat ways or slideway construction) use large, flat bearing surfaces between the saddle and bed, as opposed to roller guideway systems that use recirculating ball/roller bearings on profiled rails. Box ways provide superior vibration damping and load-carrying capacity, making them ideal for heavy roughing, interrupted cuts, and large-diameter turning. The tradeoff is slower rapid traverse speeds and higher maintenance requirements compared to linear guideways.

05 Is Hwacheon a reputable machine tool brand?

Hwacheon is South Korea's oldest machine tool manufacturer, founded in 1945. They have a strong reputation for building durable, heavy-duty turning centers that last decades in demanding production environments. While less well-known in North America than Doosan or Hyundai WIA, Hwacheon has a loyal following among shops that value box-way rigidity and long-term reliability. Their US operations are based in the Atlanta area with regional service coverage.

06 What bar stock can the Hi-Tech 450B feed through the spindle?

The Hi-Tech 450B accepts bar stock up to 80 mm (3.15 inches) diameter through the spindle bore. This is adequate for medium-size bar work including hydraulic fittings, fasteners, and automotive shafts. For bar feeding operations, the machine pairs with standard magazine-type bar feeders from LNS, FMB, IEMCA, and other brands. The Fanuc control supports standard bar feeder interface protocols.