Vertical Machining Center for General Manufacturing VMC855–VMC1160

Many buyers assume a larger worktable always delivers better value in a Vertical Machining Center. However, the VMC855 and VMC1160 share the same BT40 direct-drive spindle and 0.005 mm repeat accuracy. The real question is whether your typical workpiece justifies the extra 300 mm of X-axis travel and the 6.8-ton mass of the larger model.

For general manufacturing shops that require both precision finishing and steel roughing in one setup, reliable equipment is non-negotiable. Since 2005, our 28,000-square-meter facility in Tengzhou, China, has been dedicated to building robust CNC equipment. Every machine is produced under strict CE-certified processes to guarantee consistent performance.

Key Design Features

VMCs in this class use roller guideways and C3 ballscrews to maintain repeat accuracy under mixed roughing and finishing loads.

• Up to 45 mm roller linear guideways on all axes (VMC1160), with six blocks on the Z-axis, resist spindle-head deflection under 11 kW heavy cuts.
• The nitrogen balance cylinder offsets headstock weight, so the Z servo motor maintains consistent positioning torque throughout the 550 mm or 600 mm stroke without thermal drift.
• The 12,000 rpm direct-drive spindle handles rigid tapping at a standard 12 mm pitch, maintaining thread accuracy without auxiliary float holders on either model.

Technical Specifications

The specification table below compares VMC855 and VMC1160 travel, spindle power, and guideway ratings side by side.

Item	Description	Unit	VMC855	VMC1160
X/Y/Z axis travel	X/Y/Z axis travel	mm	800 / 550 / 550	1100 / 600 / 600
Spindle nose to worktable distance	Spindle nose to worktable distance	mm	120 – 670	120 – 720
Spindle center to column distance	Spindle center to column distance	mm	590	650
Lead screw diameter (X/Y/Z)	Lead screw diameter (X/Y/Z)	mm	Φ40 / Φ40 / Φ40	Φ40 / Φ40 / Φ40
Pitch	Pitch	mm	12	12
Linear guideway (X-axis)	Linear guideway (X-axis: Width/Type, Qty, Block Qty)	–	35mm roller / 2 rails / 4 blocks	45mm roller / 2 rails / 6 blocks
Linear guideway (Y-axis)	Linear guideway (Y-axis: Width/Type, Qty, Block Qty)	–	45mm roller / 2 rails / 4 blocks	45mm roller / 2 rails / 4 blocks
Linear guideway (Z-axis)	Linear guideway (Z-axis: Width/Type, Qty, Block Qty)	–	45mm roller / 2 rails / 6 blocks	45mm roller / 2 rails / 6 blocks
Worktable size	Worktable size	mm	1000 × 550	1200 × 600
Max loading capacity	Max loading capacity	kg	500	800
T-slots	T-slots (No. × width × distance)	mm	5 × 18 × 90	5 × 18 × 100
Spindle taper	Spindle taper	–	BT40	BT40
Spindle speed	Spindle speed (Standard / Opt.)	rpm	12000 (8000/10000)	12000 (8000/10000)
Main motor power	Main motor power	kW	7.5 / 11	11 / 15
Fast traverse rate (X/Y/Z)	Fast traverse rate (X/Y/Z)	m/min	30 / 30 / 24	30 / 30 / 24
Cutting feed rate	Cutting feed rate	mm/min	1 – 10000	1 – 10000
Feed motor power (X/Y/Z)	Feed motor power (X/Y/Z)	kW	2.0 / 2.0 / 3.0	3.0 / 3.0 / 3.0
Tool magazine	Tool magazine capacity & type	pcs	24, Arm type	24, Arm type
Max tool diameter	Max tool diameter	mm	120 (adjacent empty pocket)	120 (adjacent empty pocket)
Max tool weight	Max tool weight	kg	8	8
Max tool length	Max tool length	mm	300	300
Positioning accuracy	Positioning accuracy	mm	0.008	0.008
Repeat accuracy	Repeat accuracy	mm	0.005	0.005
Machine dimensions (L×W×H)	Machine dimensions (L×W×H)	mm	2600 × 2450 × 2600	3100 × 2550 × 2800
Machine weight	Machine weight	kg	5400	6800

Positioning and repeat accuracy values follow standard industry test procedures. CNC system options include FANUC, MITSUBISHI, SIEMENS, SYNTEC, and GSK.

Engineering Insights: Choosing Between VMC855 and VMC1160

Match your machine’s table size to actual part dimensions. Oversized travels add cycle time without improving cut quality.

If your parts are small and you need higher spindle response for batch drilling, a high-speed vertical machining center in our B series fits better. For BT50 taper or mold-grade heavy cutting, move up to our heavy-duty vertical machining center C series.

Running mostly aluminum with short tools under 150 mm? The VMC855 provides sufficient rigidity. The VMC1160 only pays off when you need the extra table length for steel jobs.

If your workpiece stays within 800 mm, the VMC855 holds up fine with its 35 mm X-axis guideways and 7.5 kW spindle, saving you the cost of 1.4 extra tons of cast iron.

If you face 1000 mm-plus steel plates requiring 11 kW roughing, the VMC1160 holds the advantage. Its 45 mm X-axis rails with six blocks and 3.0 kW feed motors sustain higher table loads.

Standard Configuration

A production-ready unit in this series includes a Mitsubishi M80A control, a 24-pocket arm tool changer, and fully enclosed guarding as baseline equipment.

• Mitsubishi M80A control system
• Taiwan direct-drive spindle 12000 rpm
• X/Y/Z axis Mitsubishi servo drive motors
• Mitsubishi spindle motor
• USB for information transfer
• Thread cutting function
• Rigid tapping
• Full enclosed cover
• Stainless steel telescopic covers on rails
• Spindle coolant system
• Headstock nitrogen balance system
• Centralized automatic lubrication system
• Work lamp
• Tri-color indication lamp
• Manual pulse generator (MPG)
• 24-pocket arm tool changer
• Air gun and water gun
• Air through spindle (ATS)
• Leveling blocks and bolts
• Taiwan 3-axis roller linear guideway
• Taiwan ball lead screw
• Taiwan pneumatic cylinder
• Spindle center ring blast
• Auto interrupt and power off system (M30)
• Heat exchanger for electrical cabinet
• Chain type chip conveyor and chip bucket
• Safety door
• User manual

Typical Application Cases for This VMC Series

Here is how the VMC855’s precision and the VMC1160’s rigidity actually perform on the shop floor.

Typical Application: Precision Valve Body Machining

Shops often machine valve bodies requiring consistent bore-to-face perpendicularity across batch runs. Small batches with multiple intersecting bores drift out of tolerance when table rigidity is insufficient. The VMC855 holds tight tolerances with its 1000 × 550 mm table and 0.005 mm repeat accuracy, supporting multi-face fixturing without re-clamping. During continuous 8-hour shifts, the C3 ballscrews and 35 mm roller guideways maintain positioning consistency.

• Positional tolerance stays within 0.008 mm over 50-part batch runs.
• The 24-tool arm magazine reduces setup time between drilling, tapping, and profiling operations.
• Rigid tapping at 12 mm pitch keeps M16 threads accurate during actual cuts.

Typical Application: Steel Mold Base Roughing

Heavy roughing on P20 steel mold bases creates deflection on lighter machines. Deep cavity roughing generates heat and side forces that challenge machines under 6 tons. The VMC1160 handles this with its 6.8-ton HT-300 casting and 45 mm roller guideways using six blocks on the Z-axis. The 11 kW direct-drive spindle powers through full-load cuts without the belt-slip risk found in slower mechanical transmissions.

• The 11 kW spindle handles 6 mm depth-of-cut roughing on medium-hardness steel.
• Even after long shifts, repeat accuracy stays at 0.005 mm.
• The 1200 × 600 mm table holds mold halves up to 800 kg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the facts on worktable capacity, maintenance, and tooling limits for this machine.

What worktable load capacity applies to this VMC size class?

The VMC855 worktable holds 500 kg while the VMC1160 holds 800 kg. Both units use five 18 mm T-slots spaced at 90 mm or 100 mm centers, making it easy to fixture general manufacturing parts like small precision housings or mid-size mold bases.

Can this VMC handle both roughing and finishing in one setup?

Yes. The 12000 rpm direct-drive spindle and 45 mm roller guideways support 11 kW roughing on the VMC1160 and precision finishing at lower speeds. Rigid tapping, pocket milling, and contouring can run in the same setup without moving the workpiece to a second machine.

What maintenance intervals apply to the ballscrew and linear guides?

The centralized automatic lubrication system feeds the C3 ballscrews and roller guideways at programmable intervals. Inspect lubrication lines monthly, verify slide resistance quarterly, and replace the nitrogen balance cylinder seal annually so the Z-axis doesn’t drift.

How does spindle taper affect tool rigidity during heavy milling?

A BT40 taper with a 120 mm max adjacent-tool diameter handles steel roughing well when you use short-gage-length holders. The 24-pocket arm changer manages balanced toolholders effectively, and the 8 kg max tool weight limit keeps overhang vibration down during aggressive cuts.