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At this year’s METALEX Thailand, Hurco (S.E. Asia) Pte Ltd showcased a highly anticipated machine that marks an important milestone for the company’s Southeast Asian customers: the VM20ZRi, a newly enhanced model designed to help job shops transition into multi-axis machining without overstretching their budgets.
According to Wai Yip Lee, General Manager of Hurco (S.E. Asia) Pte Ltd, this was the first time the VM20ZRi was shown at METALEX Thailand—its official public debut in a major Southeast Asian trade fair. Hurco is also presenting the model at Manufacturing Indonesia, underscoring its regional importance.
Spacious Z-Axis Layout That Unlocks New Workflow Possibilities
The VM20ZRi builds upon the widely used VM20i platform, a favorite among job shops in Southeast Asia. The key enhancement, Lee explained, is the extended Z-axis height, which provides significantly more clearance between the spindle and the table.
This expanded working envelope directly translates to greater workflow efficiency and machining versatility. The added vertical space allows users to mount a trunnion table without sacrificing usable travel. This enables a shop to perform 3axis operations on one side of the machine while simultaneously machining 5-axis parts up to 150mm in diameter on the other—capabilities that were previously limited by the height constraints of the original VM20.
Lee emphasized that this improvement “future-proofs machine shops,” especially in an economic environment where manufacturers aim to invest prudently while still preparing for next-level production demands. With the higher clearance, users are no longer restricted by the typical ~600 mm spindle-to-table distance that many comparable machines adhere to.
A Scalable Bridge Toward Full 5-Axis Without Overinvesting
One of the VM20ZRi’s most strategic advantages is its role as a transitional machine—a flexible platform that allows shops to scale their machining capabilities step by step.
Lee highlighted that many companies hesitate to invest in a full simultaneous 5-axis system, particularly when they do not yet have consistent 5-axis workloads. Instead of pushing customers to make a large upfront purchase, Hurco designed the VM20ZRi so that users can start with a standard 3-axis configuration, then upgrade economically by adding an entry-level or premium trunnion table from Taiwan, Japan, or Germany.
The extended Z-height ensures enough room for the trunnion, allowing the machine to perform multiple-sided or simultaneous 5-axis machining immediately when paired with Hurco’s conversational programming. This eliminates the need to flip parts between multiple operations and empowers users to gradually move from 3-axis → 4-axis → full 5-axis, all using the same machine footprint.
For many shops, Lee noted, this approach avoids the tough decision between sticking with a 3-axis machine or spending US$200,000–300,000 for a full 5-axis system. The VM20ZRi places 5-axis capability within reach at a fraction of the cost—making it particularly attractive for small and medium-sized job shops in South East Asia.
Strengthening Hurco’s Presence at METALEX Thailand
METALEX Thailand has long been one of the region’s most significant metalworking exhibitions, attracting visitors from across South East Asia. For Hurco, it is a critical platform to showcase technology advancements and engage with both local and international precision machining professionals.
By choosing METALEX as the VM20ZRi’s public debut, Hurco signals its confidence that this model addresses one of the region’s most urgent challenges: the need for flexible, upgradeable machining solutions amid uncertain economic conditions and a shortage of skilled machinists.