Starrag Heckert HEC 1800

$2,500,000 - $4,000,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

X Travel

2,500 mm (98.4 in)

Y Travel

2,000 mm (78.7 in)

Z Travel

2,000 mm (78.7 in)

Max Spindle

5,000 RPM

Spindle Taper

HSK-A100 / ISO 50

Tool Capacity

120 (expandable to 600)

Overview

The Starrag Heckert HEC 1800 is the flagship of Heckert's large-format horizontal machining center lineup, built around an 1,800 mm pallet for the most demanding heavy-industry production applications. This machine targets the absolute largest prismatic workpieces in power generation, nuclear, oil and gas, mining, shipbuilding, and heavy industrial manufacturing where no other standard HMC platform is sufficient.

Axis travels of 2,500 x 2,000 x 2,000 mm (98.4 x 78.7 x 78.7 in) provide the most generous work envelope in the Heckert range. The spindle delivers 5,000 RPM with 85 kW (114 hp) continuous power and 2,000 Nm of torque through an HSK-A100 or ISO 50 taper. A geared high-torque spindle option delivers over 4,000 Nm for the most extreme roughing operations in large castings, forgings, and structural weldments.

Two 1,800 x 1,800 mm pallets come standard, each supporting workpieces up to 10,000 kg (22,046 lb). The B-axis rotary table provides 0.001-degree indexing resolution with a heavy-duty drive system designed for precise positioning of the heaviest fixtures. Tool magazine capacity starts at 120 tools with expansion to 600 for complex multi-part production cells. Rapid traverse reaches 25 m/min across all linear axes.

The HEC 1800 runs on Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl with full IPS pallet pool integration. Positioning accuracy of +/-0.015 mm and repeatability of +/-0.008 mm are remarkable for this extreme machine scale. Built in Chemnitz, Germany, the HEC 1800 competes with the largest horizontal boring mills and HMCs from Pama, Innse-Berardi, and SNK. New machines typically price between $2,500,000 and $4,000,000.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Y-Axis Travel	2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Max Spindle Speed	5,000 RPM
Spindle Taper	HSK-A100 / ISO 50
Spindle Motor Power	85 kW (114 hp)
Spindle Torque	2,000 Nm (1,475 ft-lb)
Pallet Size	1,800 x 1,800 mm (70.9 x 70.9 in)
Number Of Pallets	2 (expandable via pallet pool)
Pallet Load Capacity	10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
B Axis	0.001 deg indexing, heavy-duty worm-gear driven
Tool Capacity	120 (expandable to 600)
Rapid Traverse Rate	25 m/min (984 ipm)
Positioning Accuracy	+/-0.015 mm
Repeatability	+/-0.008 mm
CNC Control	Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl
Machine Weight	85,000 kg (187,393 lb)

Specifications sourced from starrag.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

1,800 mm pallets with 10,000 kg load capacity represent the pinnacle of Heckert HMC capability, handling the largest workpieces in heavy industry
2,500 x 2,000 x 2,000 mm travel provides the largest work envelope in the Heckert range for single-setup machining of oversized components
85 kW continuous spindle with 2,000 Nm torque and optional geared spindle over 4,000 Nm handles the most aggressive roughing in large castings and forgings
Pallet-changer productivity advantages over floor-type boring mills eliminate setup time between parts for continuous production throughput
Heckert's thermally symmetric design and comprehensive thermal compensation maintain precision at this massive scale
IPS pallet pool integration enables continuous production scheduling across multiple large-format machines

Limitations

At $2.5M-$4M, the HEC 1800 represents a facility-defining capital investment that requires very high utilization to justify
85,000 kg machine weight demands purpose-built foundations with major engineering, excavation, and construction investment
Very limited global dealer and service presence outside of key European and aerospace markets
25 m/min rapid traverse reflects the massive axis mass, adding to non-cutting time compared to smaller HMCs

Best For

Nuclear and power generation manufacturers machining the largest turbine casings, generator frames, and reactor vessel components Oil and gas OEMs producing the largest valve bodies, blowout preventers, and subsea manifold blocks weighing up to 10,000 kg Mining equipment manufacturers cutting the largest crusher frames, dragline components, and structural castings Shipbuilding contractors machining the largest marine diesel engine blocks and reduction gearbox housings Heavy industrial manufacturers requiring pallet-changer productivity for the largest prismatic components traditionally machined on floor-type boring mills

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the HEC 1800 compare to floor-type horizontal boring mills?

The HEC 1800 offers a fundamentally different production philosophy from floor-type boring mills. While boring mills provide theoretically unlimited Y and Z travel via moving column and ram designs, the HEC 1800 delivers pallet-changer productivity with automatic part exchange under 60 seconds. This eliminates the setup-intensive nature of floor-type boring mills, enabling continuous production throughput for high-volume large-part manufacturing.

02 What foundation does the HEC 1800 require?

At 85,000 kg plus maximum workpiece weight of 10,000 kg per pallet, the HEC 1800 requires a purpose-engineered isolated concrete foundation with substantial depth (typically 1.5-2.5 meters), heavy reinforcement, and vibration isolation. Starrag provides complete foundation engineering drawings. Site preparation typically includes pit work for chip conveyors and coolant systems, plus overhead crane capacity exceeding 15 tons for maintenance access.

03 What is the typical delivery and installation timeline?

New HEC 1800 machines typically require 12-18 months from order to delivery, plus 4-8 weeks for installation, alignment, and commissioning. Foundation preparation should begin 6-9 months before machine delivery. Starrag provides installation supervision and commissioning services as standard, including laser calibration and volumetric compensation across the full work envelope.

04 What material removal rates can the HEC 1800 achieve?

With the 85 kW spindle and appropriate tooling, the HEC 1800 achieves material removal rates exceeding 1,000 cm3/min in cast iron and 500 cm3/min in structural steel. The geared spindle option with over 4,000 Nm torque enables even higher metal removal rates during heavy roughing operations. Through-spindle coolant up to 80 bar supports demanding deep-hole drilling and finishing operations.