Nomura NN-38
Key Specifications
Accuracy
Repeatability
max bar capacity
max machining length
number of axes
main spindle speed
Overview
The Nomura NN-38 is a 38mm bar capacity CNC Swiss-type automatic lathe from Nomura DS, representing the manufacturer's largest platform in the precision Swiss-type class. At 38mm bar capacity, the NN-38 addresses the upper tier of commercial Swiss-type machining — where the bar diameter reaches the transition zone between traditional Swiss-type part families and the larger components typically produced on conventional CNC lathes. Nomura's engineering philosophy — precision-first design emphasizing spindle accuracy, thermal management, and guide bushing performance — is applied at 38mm to serve manufacturers who need the done-in-one Swiss-type advantage at larger diameters without compromising the dimensional accuracy and surface finish consistency that defines Nomura's market position.
The NN-38 main spindle delivers 6,000 RPM with 11 kW of power, appropriate for aggressive cutting in stainless steel, titanium, and Inconel at 38mm diameter. The sub-spindle provides 5.5 kW for backworking at the same RPM ceiling, with C-axis on both spindles enabling full angular positioning for cross-milling and drilling operations. Y-axis on both main and sub-spindle sides — a significant capability step over the NN-32 — enables off-center milling and drilling on both the front and back faces of a part simultaneously, which is essential for the complex part geometries that justify investment in large-diameter Swiss machining. Up to 32 tool positions support demanding part programs.
Nomura applies its precision engineering to the NN-38 structural architecture with particular attention to the guide bushing assembly — at 38mm diameter, guide bushing loading and thermal effects are substantially greater than at 20-26mm. The NN-38 guide bushing housing and adjustment mechanism are engineered to maintain consistent clearance and concentricity under the higher forces of 38mm work in hard alloys. Thermal management of the headstock spindle bearing pre-load is also a focus, maintaining sub-0.003mm runout across extended production shifts where thermal growth from cutting heat and spindle friction would otherwise cause dimensional drift in less carefully engineered machines.
Priced between $280,000 and $420,000, the NN-38 occupies a position above Korean large-diameter Swiss competitors and approximately equivalent to established Japanese brands at 38mm. Against the Tsugami B0386 and Citizen Cincom A32-V, the NN-38 competes on precision specifications rather than axis count. For manufacturers in high-value medical, precision aerospace, and advanced scientific instrument sectors where dimensional consistency and surface quality at 38mm diameter are worth the premium, the NN-38 represents Nomura's strongest case for the precision-first Swiss-type approach at large diameter.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Bar Capacity | 38 mm (1.496 in) |
| Max Machining Length | 230 mm (9.06 in) |
| Number Of Axes | 9-axis simultaneous (X1, Z1, Y1, X2, Z2, Y2, C1, C2, B1) |
| Main Spindle Speed | 6,000 RPM |
| Main Spindle Power | 11 kW (14.7 hp) |
| Sub Spindle Speed | 6,000 RPM |
| Sub Spindle Power | 5.5 kW (7.4 hp) |
| C Axis | Both main and sub-spindle |
| Y Axis | Both main and sub-spindle sides |
| Tool Positions | Up to 32 |
| Driven Tool Speed | 6,000 RPM |
| Guide Bushing | Yes, precision Nomura design |
| Spindle Runout | < 0.003 mm |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.003 mm |
| Repeatability | ±0.002 mm |
| CNC Control | Fanuc 32i-B5 |
| Machine Weight | 4,200 kg (9,259 lb) |
Specifications sourced from iemca.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Y-axis on both main and sub-spindle sides enables simultaneous off-center milling and drilling on front and back faces — critical for large-diameter complex parts requiring dense feature sets on both ends of the workpiece
- Sub-0.003mm spindle runout at 38mm diameter is exceptional in the large-diameter Swiss class, providing dimensional accuracy margins that support tight-tolerance medical and aerospace component production
- 11 kW main spindle power handles aggressive material removal in titanium, Inconel, and stainless steel at 38mm diameter without the spindle power limitations that constrain smaller Swiss platforms attempting large-diameter heavy cuts
- Nomura's precision guide bushing design maintains dimensional accuracy under the higher forces of 38mm work in hard alloys, reducing in-process measurement correction frequency during long production runs
- 9-axis simultaneous control provides extensive parallel machining capability for complex large-diameter parts, reducing cycle time through overlapping front and back machining operations
Limitations
- Premium pricing at $280K-$420K puts the NN-38 above Korean competitors at 38mm and requires documented application requirements that justify precision-focused engineering over standard large-diameter Swiss alternatives
- Nomura's North American service and applications support infrastructure is more limited than Citizen, Tsugami, or Hanwha at this diameter — buyers in North America should confirm service coverage in their region before committing
- 6,000 RPM maximum spindle speed is the practical ceiling for large-diameter Swiss-type machines; shops needing higher surface speed for small-diameter finishing features on the sub-spindle may find the RPM ceiling limiting for certain part families
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The NN-38 adds 6mm of bar capacity (38mm vs 32mm), upgrades to 9-axis simultaneous control (vs 7-axis on the NN-32), adds Y-axis on the sub-spindle side, and increases main spindle power to 11 kW from 7.5 kW to handle the higher cutting loads at 38mm diameter. The NN-38's spindle runout specification is slightly relaxed at <0.003mm vs <0.002mm on the NN-32, reflecting the higher structural demands of 38mm machining. Price is approximately $60,000-$100,000 higher for the NN-38.
02
The Hanwha XD42H has 4mm more bar capacity (42mm vs 38mm) and is priced in a similar range ($200K-$320K vs $280K-$420K for the NN-38). The Nomura NN-38 differentiates on dimensional accuracy — sub-0.003mm spindle runout vs the XD42H's production-grade specifications — and on Nomura's thermal stability engineering. For applications where the 38mm capacity is sufficient and precision consistency is paramount, the NN-38 is the precision-focused choice; for maximum bar diameter at lower precision requirements, the XD42H offers both larger capacity and lower price.
03
Yes. Nomura precision machines have facility requirements beyond standard production machines. The NN-38 requires a vibration-isolated, thermally stable installation environment — a temperature-controlled room maintained within ±2°C is recommended for applications requiring the machine's full precision capability. The concrete floor must be level to within 0.02mm/m and rated for 4,200 kg static load. Nomura provides a factory installation guide with detailed floor flatness, power quality, and ambient temperature requirements.
04
Y-axis allows the driven tool to move perpendicular to the spindle centerline, enabling off-center drilling, milling, and threading operations not aligned with the spindle axis. With Y-axis only on the main spindle, off-center operations on the back of the part (sub-spindle) are limited. With Y-axis on both spindles — as provided on the NN-38 — full off-center milling capability exists on both the front and back face of the part. This is essential for large medical and aerospace components where off-center ports, pockets, or flats are required on both ends of the machined part in a single cycle.
05
The NN-38 uses standard Swiss-type driven tool holders compatible with ER-16 and ER-20 collet systems for drills, end mills, and taps. Thread whirling, polygonal turning, and special operations use dedicated Nomura-specified attachments mounted in the driven positions. Nomura's applications engineering team provides tooling layout consultation as part of the machine purchase process, recommending optimal tooling configurations for specific part families being targeted on the NN-38.
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