Tsugami P036W

$200,000 - $320,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

bar capacity

3 mm (0.125 in)

axes

6 axes

main spindle speed

Max 20,000 RPM (rated 15,000 RPM)

back spindle speed

Max 20,000 RPM (rated 15,000 RPM)

main spindle motor

0.75/1.1 kW (1.15 hp)

live tool speed

8,000-50,000 RPM (brushless servo)

Overview

The Tsugami P036W is a 6-axis split-slide Swiss-type CNC automatic lathe purpose-built for micro parts production, handling bar stock up to 3 mm (0.125 in) diameter. This machine occupies a very specific niche: ultra-small, high-precision components for the medical, electronics, telecom, and watchmaking industries where part diameters are measured in fractions of a millimeter.

What makes the P036W stand out is its extreme spindle speed capability. The main and back spindles both reach 20,000 RPM (rated at 15,000 RPM continuous), powered by a 0.75/1.1 kW (1.15 hp) motor. That's fast enough for the tiny diameters this machine handles, where surface speed requirements at 1-3 mm diameter demand high RPM. The live tooling is even more impressive — brushless servo-driven spindles reach 8,000 to 50,000 RPM for micro cross-drilling and milling operations.

The P036W uses a split-slide, independent opposed tool post design with 18 tool positions and 2 live tool stations. Axis resolution is 0.1 micron — a tenth of a micron — which tells you exactly what class of precision this machine targets. The FANUC 0i-TF Plus control runs the 6-axis configuration, and rapid traverse rates hit 30 m/min on X1/X2/Z1 and 25 m/min on Y1/Z2/Y2.

One of the most remarkable specs is the footprint: just 1,450 x 600 x 1,630 mm (57.1 x 23.6 x 64.2 in) with a machine depth of only 600 mm. At 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs), it's a fraction of the size and weight of standard Swiss machines. The stationary guide bushing design supports the bar close to the cutting zone for maximum concentricity on these tiny parts.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Bar Capacity	3 mm (0.125 in)
Axes	6 axes
Main Spindle Speed	Max 20,000 RPM (rated 15,000 RPM)
Back Spindle Speed	Max 20,000 RPM (rated 15,000 RPM)
Main Spindle Motor	0.75/1.1 kW (1.15 hp)
Live Tool Speed	8,000-50,000 RPM (brushless servo)
Tool Positions	18
Live Tool Positions	2
Headstock Stroke	30 mm (1.181 in)
Axis Resolution	0.1 micron
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (X1, X2, Z1); 25 m/min (Y1, Z2, Y2)
Guide Bushing	Stationary type
CNC Control	FANUC 0i-TF Plus
Machine Weight	1,080 kg (2,381 lbs)
Dimensions	1,450 x 600 x 1,630 mm (57.1 x 23.6 x 64.2 in)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

20,000 RPM main and back spindles provide the extreme speeds needed for micro-diameter parts under 3 mm
50,000 RPM brushless servo live tooling enables micro cross-drilling and milling that standard live tools can't match
0.1 micron axis resolution delivers the precision required for medical and electronics micro components
Remarkably compact footprint at only 600 mm depth — fits where no other Swiss machine can
Split-slide independent opposed tool post design minimizes idle time between operations
1,080 kg weight means no special foundation requirements in most shops

Limitations

3 mm bar capacity is extremely limited — this is a dedicated micro-parts machine, not a general-purpose Swiss lathe
Only 2 live tool positions restricts the number of milled or drilled features per cycle
0.75/1.1 kW spindle motor means essentially zero capability for materials requiring significant cutting forces
30 mm headstock stroke limits maximum part length severely
Micro tooling is expensive and fragile, increasing per-part tooling costs

Best For

Medical device manufacturers producing micro pins, needles, and implant screws under 3 mm diameter Electronics and semiconductor component producers making tiny contacts, pins, and connector elements Watchmaking shops producing micro shafts, pivots, and balance staff components Telecom component manufacturers making fiber optic ferrules and micro connectors Precision instrument makers producing probe tips, micro-nozzles, and miniature valve components

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What kind of parts does the P036W actually make?

Think contact probes for semiconductor testing, watch balance staffs and pivots, micro medical screws for dental and orthopedic applications, fiber optic ferrules, and miniature electronic pin connectors. Any turned part under 3 mm diameter where precision in the sub-micron range matters. These are parts you'd struggle to see without magnification.

02 Why does a 3mm machine need 20,000 RPM?

Surface speed requirements don't change just because the part is small. At 3 mm diameter, you need roughly 19,000 RPM to achieve 180 m/min surface speed for aluminum, and even higher for optimal finishes. Without high RPM, you can't reach proper cutting speeds on micro parts, resulting in poor surface finish and tool wear.

03 What does 50,000 RPM live tooling do?

The brushless servo-driven live tools at up to 50,000 RPM handle micro cross-drilling and milling on parts under 3 mm. At these part sizes, drill diameters are often 0.1-0.5 mm, and those tiny tools need extreme RPM to achieve proper cutting speeds. Standard 6,000-8,000 RPM live tools simply can't generate adequate surface speeds for micro tooling.

04 How does the P036W compare to the P056W?

The P036W handles 3 mm bar stock while the P056W steps up to 5 mm (estimated). Both share the same split-slide architecture and compact footprint. The P056W is for shops whose micro parts slightly exceed the 3 mm capacity limit. Most other specifications are expected to be similar between the two models.

05 What's the floor space requirement?

The P036W has an incredibly compact footprint: 1,450 x 600 mm (57.1 x 23.6 in) with a depth of only 600 mm. That's roughly the floor space of a large desk. At 1,080 kg, it doesn't need a special foundation. You can fit several P036W machines in the space occupied by a single standard Swiss lathe.