Tsugami B020M-III

$350,000 - $500,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

bar capacity

20 mm (0.787 in)

guide bushing

Sliding headstock with guide bushing

tool magazine

30 tools

tool holder

CAPTO C3 (dual contact)

back tool post

Y-axis for simultaneous operations

tool spindle

High-output built-in motor

Overview

The Tsugami B020M-III is a hybrid machine that combines a sliding-headstock Swiss-type automatic lathe with a built-in machining center, creating a platform that can handle complex multi-feature parts from 20 mm (0.787 in) bar stock in a single setup. It's not just a Swiss lathe with live tooling -- it has an actual tool spindle with a 30-tool magazine and CAPTO C3 toolholders for serious milling capability.

The guide bushing sliding headstock design delivers the core Swiss-type advantage: exceptional accuracy and surface finish on long, slender parts. But the B020M-III goes well beyond basic Swiss turning. The high-output built-in motor tool spindle handles drilling, milling, and tapping operations that would normally require a separate machining center. The CAPTO C3 dual-contact tool holder system provides the rigidity needed for aggressive milling cuts.

The back tool post includes Y-axis capability, enabling simultaneous operations on the sub-spindle side while the main spindle handles front-end work. This parallel processing capability can dramatically reduce cycle times on complex parts. The machine's footprint is 4.76 m², which is compact for the level of capability it packs in.

The B020M-III runs on a FANUC control and shares its platform with the SS20MH-III-5AX (the 5-axis variant with linear scales). It's targeted at medical, electronics, and precision component manufacturers who need complete part machining from bar stock -- turning, milling, drilling, threading, and back-working all in one cycle without touching the part.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Bar Capacity	20 mm (0.787 in)
Guide Bushing	Sliding headstock with guide bushing
Tool Magazine	30 tools
Tool Holder	CAPTO C3 (dual contact)
Back Tool Post	Y-axis for simultaneous operations
Tool Spindle	High-output built-in motor
Floor Space Required	4.76 m²
CNC Control	FANUC

Specifications sourced from tsugami.co.jp — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Combines Swiss-type lathe and machining center in one platform with CAPTO C3 tool spindle and 30-tool magazine
Sliding headstock with guide bushing delivers Swiss-level accuracy on long, slender parts
Back tool post with Y-axis enables simultaneous operations for dramatic cycle time reductions
30-tool magazine with CAPTO C3 dual-contact holders provides real machining center milling capability
4.76 m² footprint is remarkably compact for a machine combining lathe and machining center functions
High-output built-in motor tool spindle handles aggressive milling, not just light secondary operations

Limitations

20 mm bar capacity limits the machine to smaller diameter parts
Significantly higher cost than standard Swiss-type lathes due to the integrated machining center
Complex machine requires highly skilled programmers and setup personnel
More maintenance points than a simple Swiss lathe due to the tool magazine and tool spindle systems
Lead times for new machines can be extended due to the specialty nature of the platform

Best For

Medical device manufacturers producing complex implants and instruments from bar stock with turning and milling features Electronics and connector producers making precision components with cross-holes, slots, and milled features Watchmaking and micro-mechanical shops that need complete machining of complex small parts from bar Aerospace fastener and fitting producers requiring tight-tolerance multi-feature parts from bar stock Shops looking to eliminate secondary operations on complex Swiss-type parts by adding real milling capability Production cells where combining a Swiss lathe and VMC into one machine improves throughput and accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the B020M-III differ from a standard Swiss lathe with live tooling?

The B020M-III has an actual machining center tool spindle with a 30-tool CAPTO C3 magazine, not just turret-mounted live tools. This gives it real milling capability comparable to a small machining center. Standard Swiss live tooling is limited to small drills and end mills in turret stations. The B020M-III can run larger tools, take heavier cuts, and handle more complex milled geometries.

02 What's the relationship between the B020M-III and the SS20MH-III-5AX?

They share the same platform. The SS20MH-III-5AX is the 5-axis simultaneous variant with a B-axis tool spindle and linear scales standard on X1/Z1/Y1/X2 axes. The B020M-III is the base configuration of this platform. Both offer the same 20 mm bar capacity and CAPTO tooling system.

03 Can the B020M-III run without a guide bushing?

Some configurations of this platform support guide bushing-less (chucker) operation for shorter parts, similar to the SS20MH-III-5AX which offers convertible chucker mode. This is useful for parts where the L/D ratio is low and the material savings from eliminating guide bushing remnants are worthwhile.

04 What materials is the B020M-III designed for?

The machine handles the full range of Swiss-type materials: brass, aluminum, carbon and stainless steels, titanium, Inconel, and engineering plastics. The high-output tool spindle is particularly valuable when milling features in tougher materials like titanium and stainless where live tooling power on standard Swiss lathes becomes a limitation.

05 What kind of cycle time improvement can I expect over a separate lathe and mill?

Cycle time improvements vary by part, but eliminating part handling between machines typically saves 30-60 seconds per part. More significantly, the back tool post Y-axis enables simultaneous front and back operations, which can reduce total cycle time by 20-40% compared to sequential processing. The biggest gains come on parts with significant milling content.