Star Micronics SR-38 Type B

Est. $250,000 - $400,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · ellisontechnologies.com Updated 2026-10-03

Image: starcnc.com, Star Micronics

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

7,000 rpm

Rapid Traverse

36 m/min (X1, Y1, Z1, X2, Z2), 24 m/min (Y2, X3)

Spindle Power

7.5 kW (continuous) / 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED)

max machining diameter

38 mm (1-1/2 in)

max headstock stroke rgb

320 mm

max headstock stroke rmgb

288 mm

How much does the Star Micronics SR-38 Type B cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$250,000 - $400,000

Our best estimate for a swiss-type lathe in this class — not a quote from Star Micronics. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Star Micronics SR-38 Type B is a 10-axis Swiss-type lathe for Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar whose defining feature is a B-axis power-driven tool unit carrying three tools at the front and three at the rear. Because the driven unit sits on a B-axis, angled holes and inclined flats can be cut in the same cycle as the turning, with ordinary tools in place of fixed-angle holders.

Fixed tooling is laid out as 5 stationary turning tools on the front and 2 tools on the rear under X3 axis control, 7 turning tools in all. Back working is handled by an 8-spindle unit holding 8 tools, facing a sub-spindle that turns at 7,000 rpm with 3.7 kW continuous and 5.5 kW (10min./40%ED).

Headstock stroke is listed twice: 320 mm under the heading RGB and 288 mm under RMGB. The table does not expand either abbreviation, so find out which arrangement a given machine has, because it changes the longest part that can be turned in one stroke. Maximum front ejection length is 150 mm (5-7/8 in).

The main spindle runs to 7,000 rpm on 7.5 kW continuous and 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED). Rapids are 36 m/min on X1, Y1, Z1, X2 and Z2 and 24 m/min on Y2 and X3. The SR-32J, one size down, runs its spindle at 8,000 rpm and weighs 4,100 kg; this machine trades that speed for the larger bar and weighs 4,300 kg, on a 2,740 × 1,315 × 2,120 mm footprint.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Machining Diameter	38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Max Headstock Stroke Rgb	320 mm
Max Headstock Stroke Rmgb	288 mm
Max Front Ejection Length	150 mm (5-7/8 in)
Number of Axes	10
Sub Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Sub Spindle Power	3.7 kW (continuous) / 5.5 kW (10min./40%ED)
Front Tools	5 stationary turning tools
Rear Tools	2 tools (X3 axis control)
Back Unit	8-spindle (8 tools)
B Axis	Power-driven tool unit (front 3 + rear 3 tools)
Machine Weight	4,300 kg
Headstock Stroke	320 mm (12-19/32 in)
Max Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	7.5 kW (continuous) / 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED)
Turning Tools	7 tools (5 tools on the front, stationary type, + 2 tools on the rear, X3 axis control)
Bar Capacity	Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Rapid Traverse Rate	36 m/min (X1, Y1, Z1, X2, Z2), 24 m/min (Y2, X3)
Floor Space Required	2,740 × 1,315 × 2,120 mm

Specifications sourced from ellisontechnologies.com (authorised dealer / distributor, not the manufacturer's own site) — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

B-axis power-driven tool unit with 3 front and 3 rear tools for angled drilling and milling
8-spindle back unit holding 8 tools for work on the cut-off side
7 turning tools: 5 stationary on the front plus 2 on the rear under X3 axis control
Main and sub-spindle both run to 7,000 rpm
36 m/min rapids on X1, Y1, Z1, X2 and Z2

Limitations

Headstock stroke falls from 320 mm to 288 mm in the RMGB version
Y2 and X3 rapid at 24 m/min, slower than the 36 m/min of the other axes
Maximum front ejection length is 150 mm (5-7/8 in), which caps the length of part that can leave from the front
7,000 rpm main spindle, against 8,000 rpm on the SR-32J
Sub-spindle is rated 3.7 kW continuous, about half the 7.5 kW of the main spindle

Best For

Parts with angled holes or inclined flats, using the B-axis tool unit Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar work finished on both ends Back-end operations needing up to 8 tools on the 8-spindle unit Components within the 320 mm headstock stroke of the RGB version

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does the B-axis on the SR-38 Type B do?

The table lists the B-axis as a power-driven tool unit with front 3 + rear 3 tools. A driven unit on a B-axis can be set at an angle to the bar, so angled cross holes and inclined milled faces are cut with standard tools instead of fixed-angle holders. It is counted among the machine's 10 axes.

02 What is the headstock stroke of the SR-38 Type B?

Two figures are listed: 320 mm in the RGB version and 288 mm in the RMGB version. A separate row gives 320 mm (12-19/32 in) as the headstock stroke. Maximum front ejection length is 150 mm (5-7/8 in). Check which version is being quoted before committing long parts.

03 How many tools does the SR-38 Type B carry?

7 turning tools (5 stationary on the front and 2 on the rear under X3 axis control), an 8-spindle back unit with 8 tools, and the B-axis power-driven unit with three front and three rear tools.

04 How fast are the spindles and rapids?

Main and sub-spindle both reach 7,000 rpm. The main spindle is rated 7.5 kW continuous and 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED); the sub-spindle 3.7 kW continuous and 5.5 kW (10min./40%ED). Rapid traverse is 36 m/min on X1, Y1, Z1, X2 and Z2 and 24 m/min on Y2 and X3.

05 How big and heavy is the machine?

The footprint is listed as 2,740 × 1,315 × 2,120 mm and the weight as 4,300 kg. The SR-32J is listed at 4,100 kg, so the step up to Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar adds little mass.