Tsugami BW209Z-I

$300,000 - $430,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

bar capacity

20 mm (0.8 in)

max machinable diameter

3-20 mm (0.12-0.79 in)

axes

9 axes

main spindle speed

200-10,000 RPM

sub spindle speed

200-12,000 RPM

main spindle motor

2.2/3.7 kW (3/5 hp)

Overview

The Tsugami BW209Z-I is a 9-axis Swiss-type CNC automatic lathe with a 20 mm (0.8 in) bar capacity and independent opposed tool posts with live tooling. It's the fully loaded variant in the BW20x-I lineup, combining 3-path simultaneous control with cross-drilling, milling, and off-center machining capability for the most complex 20 mm class parts.

The BW209Z-I packs 28 to 30 tool positions with 9 to 11 live tool stations running at 8,000 or 10,000 RPM. The main spindle reaches 200-10,000 RPM and the sub spindle goes to 200-12,000 RPM, both driven by a 2.2/3.7 kW motor. The Z suffix provides Z-axis movement on the rear tool post for center alignment and additional simultaneous machining — essential for getting the most out of 3-path control.

The headstock stroke measures 170 mm (6.69 in) with the guide bushing installed and 45 mm (1.77 in) in guide-bushless mode. The convertible guide bushing system is a major advantage for shops running diverse part mixes. Rapid traverse hits 32 m/min — notably faster than the 24 m/min on the non-live-tooling BW208Z-I variants.

Running on a FANUC 31i-B control, the BW209Z-I has the processing power for 9-axis simultaneous interpolation across three independent machining paths. The machine weighs 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) in a 2,010 x 1,505 x 1,750 mm (79.1 x 59.3 x 68.9 in) footprint. This is Tsugami's solution for shops that need complete part production on 20 mm bar stock without secondary operations — everything from turning and facing to cross-drilling, milling flats, and threading happens in one cycle.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Bar Capacity	20 mm (0.8 in)
Max Machinable Diameter	3-20 mm (0.12-0.79 in)
Axes	9 axes
Main Spindle Speed	200-10,000 RPM
Sub Spindle Speed	200-12,000 RPM
Main Spindle Motor	2.2/3.7 kW (3/5 hp)
Live Tool Speed	8,000/10,000 RPM
Tool Positions	28/30
Live Tool Positions	9/11
Headstock Stroke With Gb	170 mm (6.69 in)
Headstock Stroke Without Gb	45 mm (1.77 in)
Rapid Traverse Rate	32 m/min
Guide Bushing	Yes (convertible)
CNC Control	FANUC 31i-B
Machine Weight	2,900 kg (6,393 lbs)
Dimensions	2,010 x 1,505 x 1,750 mm (79.1 x 59.3 x 68.9 in)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

9-11 live tool positions at up to 10,000 RPM handle cross-drilling, milling, and off-center features without secondary ops
28-30 total tool positions provide ample capacity for complex multi-operation parts
9-axis 3-path simultaneous control runs three machining operations concurrently for significant cycle time reduction
32 m/min rapid traverse is faster than the non-live-tooling variants, reducing non-cutting time
FANUC 31i-B control provides processing power for complex 9-axis simultaneous interpolation
Convertible guide bushing with 170 mm Swiss-mode stroke and 45 mm chucker-mode covers diverse part lengths

Limitations

170 mm headstock stroke in guide bushing mode is shorter than the 210 mm available on 12 mm class BW129Z-I
First-generation model superseded by the BW209Z-II with improvements
9-axis with live tooling creates significant programming complexity requiring advanced CAM software
10,000 RPM main spindle speed is lower than the 12,000 RPM on 12 mm class variants, limiting aluminum high-speed capability

Best For

Medical device manufacturers producing orthopedic screws, dental implant components, and surgical instruments with milled features Hydraulic and pneumatic fitting manufacturers needing cross-drilled and threaded parts from 20 mm bar Automotive fuel injector and sensor component producers requiring complex features in a single setup Contract manufacturers running high-complexity 20 mm parts where complete machining eliminates secondary operations Aerospace fastener and connector shops producing parts with both turned and milled features

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the BW209Z-I compare to the BW208Z-I?

The BW209Z-I adds live tooling (9-11 positions at 8,000/10,000 RPM), increases total tool positions from 24 to 28-30, and boosts rapid traverse from 24 m/min to 32 m/min. However, the main spindle tops out at 10,000 RPM vs 12,000 RPM, and the headstock stroke with guide bushing is 170 mm vs unspecified on the BW208Z-I. The BW209Z-I also runs on a FANUC 31i-B vs the BW208Z-I's unspecified control.

02 Why is the main spindle speed lower at 10,000 RPM?

The BW209Z-I's main spindle is optimized for the 20 mm bar diameter range where 10,000 RPM provides appropriate surface speeds for steel, stainless, and titanium. The sub spindle reaches 12,000 RPM for back-working operations on smaller diameters. Higher spindle speeds on a 20 mm machine would generate excessive centrifugal forces without proportional productivity gains.

03 What happened to the Generation I?

The BW209Z-I has been replaced by the BW209Z-II in Tsugami's current lineup. New purchases will receive the Generation II machine. The I-generation is available in the used market and represents solid value for shops that don't need the latest refinements. When buying used, focus on spindle hours, axis backlash, and live tooling condition.

04 What CAM software works best for 9-axis programming?

PartMaker (Mastercam Swiss), ESPRIT, and SolidCAM's Swiss module all handle multi-channel programming for 9-axis Swiss machines. The critical requirement is 3-path synchronization — coordinating the independent front, rear, and back tool posts to overlap operations. Simulation is essential before running first articles on this level of complexity.