Tsugami Horizontal Machining Centers (HMC)

Tsugami FMA5-V

$400,000 - $650,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

Rapid Traverse

24 m/min (994 IPM)

Repeatability

0.000080 in (2 μm)

type

Horizontal machining center with pallet system

x axis travel

560 mm (22.0 in)

y axis travel

350 mm (13.8 in)

z axis travel

500 mm (19.7 in)

Overview

The Tsugami FMA5-V is the larger-capacity sibling in Tsugami's FMA horizontal machining center family, stepping up to 450 x 450mm pallets and significantly larger axis travels than the 300mm-pallet FMA3 series. It brings the same vertical-loop pallet magazine concept and massive tool capacity to a working envelope that handles genuinely larger parts -- making it a serious production platform for shops that have outgrown the FMA3 but want to keep Tsugami's automated pallet architecture.

Axis travels of 560 x 350 x 500mm (X/Y/Z) provide a working envelope that comfortably handles mid-size aluminum and steel components. The spindle runs 40-10,000 RPM with a 5.5/7.5 kW motor, and the machine is available in 3, 4, or 5-axis configurations depending on the workpiece complexity your shop demands. The FANUC 32i-MB control handles everything from simple 3-axis prismatic work to full 5-axis simultaneous contouring.

The tool magazine options of 62, 126, or 190 tools carry over from the FMA3 series, and the pallet system offers 10 or 20 pallets in the vertical-loop configuration. Pallet changes complete in 20 seconds -- slower than the FMA3's 9 seconds due to the larger pallet mass, but still fast enough that pallet swap time is a minor fraction of typical cycle times. Tool-to-tool changes happen in 1.0 second with 5.5 seconds chip-to-chip.

Positioning repeatability of 0.000080 inches (approximately 2 micrometers) is impressive for a production HMC. At 10,800 kg (23,760 lbs), the machine has the mass needed for vibration damping during steady-state production. The non-contact binary pallet device ensures reliable automated operation across the full pallet magazine. For shops producing mid-size parts in high mix across multiple pallets, the FMA5-V offers automation capability that typically costs considerably more from other manufacturers.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Type	Horizontal machining center with pallet system
X Axis Travel	560 mm (22.0 in)
Y Axis Travel	350 mm (13.8 in)
Z Axis Travel	500 mm (19.7 in)
Pallet Size	450 x 450 mm (17.7 x 17.7 in)
Pallet Magazine	10 or 20 pallets
Pallet Change Time	20 seconds
Spindle Speed	40-10,000 RPM
Spindle Motor	5.5/7.5 kW (7.4/10 HP)
Tool Magazine	62, 126, or 190 tools
Atc Tool To Tool	1.0 second
Chip To Chip	5.5 seconds
Rapid Traverse Rate	24 m/min (994 IPM)
Repeatability	0.000080 in (2 μm)
CNC Control	FANUC 32i-MB
Configurations	3, 4, or 5-axis
Machine Weight	10,800 kg (23,760 lbs)
Floor Space Required	4,040 x 2,485 x 2,740 mm

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

450mm pallets handle significantly larger workpieces than the FMA3 series, expanding the range of applicable parts
Up to 190 tools and 20 pallets provide full lights-out production capability for high-mix manufacturing
Available in 3, 4, or 5-axis configurations to match workpiece complexity and budget requirements
2-micron positioning repeatability delivers production-grade accuracy for demanding tolerance work
Vertical-loop pallet system minimizes floor space penalty compared to traditional horizontal carousel designs
1.0-second tool-to-tool changes and 20-second pallet swaps keep spindle utilization high

Limitations

5.5/7.5 kW spindle motor is modest for heavy steel cutting -- this machine favors precision over aggressive roughing
10,000 RPM max spindle speed limits high-speed aluminum performance compared to 15,000 RPM on the FMA3 series
20-second pallet change time is slower than the FMA3's 9 seconds due to larger pallet mass
Complex 5-axis configuration adds significant cost and programming complexity
350mm Y-axis travel is somewhat limited for taller workpieces

Best For

Job shops running high-mix production of mid-size parts across multiple materials and configurations Aerospace manufacturers producing aluminum and titanium brackets, fittings, and housings in automated cells Medical device companies machining instrument bodies, cases, and housings in traceable batch production Automotive shops producing sensor housings, manifolds, and valve bodies at medium-to-high volumes Any shop looking to maximize spindle utilization through multi-pallet lights-out production on mid-size parts Defense contractors needing documented, repeatable production of hardware across multiple configurations

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the FMA5-V compare to the FMA3-V?

The FMA5-V steps up to 450mm pallets (vs 300mm), 560mm X-travel (vs 360mm), and 500mm Z-travel (vs 400mm). The FMA3-V has a faster spindle at 15,000 RPM vs 10,000 RPM and faster pallet changes at 9 seconds vs 20 seconds. The FMA5-V handles bigger parts; the FMA3-V handles small parts faster. Both share the same tool capacity options and pallet magazine concept.

02 When does the 5-axis option make sense?

The 5-axis configuration is justified when your parts have features that require approach from multiple angles in a single setup -- compound-angle holes, undercuts, contoured surfaces, and similar geometry. For parts that only need 3-axis prismatic machining with B-axis indexing (3+1 or 3+2), the 4-axis configuration saves money while still accessing all sides of the part through B-axis rotation.

03 Is the spindle power adequate for steel cutting?

At 7.5 kW (10 HP), the FMA5-V handles light-to-moderate steel cutting with appropriate tooling and feeds. It's not designed for aggressive steel roughing with large face mills. For parts requiring heavy steel removal, consider pre-roughing on a more powerful machine and using the FMA5-V for finishing and precision features. The machine excels at aluminum, brass, and lighter cuts in steel and stainless.

04 Should I get 10 or 20 pallets?

Start with 10 if you're new to pallet automation -- it's more affordable and still provides enormous utilization gains over a single-pallet machine. Upgrade to 20 pallets when your production mix demands it or when you want to maximize unattended run time for overnight and weekend operation. Many shops start with 10 and find they fill all stations within 6 months, then wish they'd bought 20.

05 How does this compare to a Mazak HCN-5000 or Makino a51?

The Mazak and Makino are full-power HMCs with 500mm pallets, higher spindle power (15-25 kW), and larger working envelopes. They handle heavier cutting and bigger parts. The FMA5-V costs less and offers comparable pallet capacity in a more compact footprint. For shops producing smaller, lighter parts where pallet count and tool capacity matter more than raw cutting power, the FMA5-V is highly competitive.