Star Micronics SX-38 Type A/B

Est. $300,000 - $480,000 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

30 m/min (X1, X2, X3, Y1, Z1, Z2, Z3), 24 m/min (Y2), 15 m/min (Y3)

Spindle Power

7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min./25%ED)

max machining diameter

38 mm (1-1/2 in)

max headstock stroke standard

320 mm (13-19/32 in)

max headstock stroke rgb

289 mm (11-3/8 in)

How much does the Star Micronics SX-38 Type A/B cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$300,000 - $480,000

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 SX-38 Type A/B is a 12-axis Swiss-type lathe for Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar that surrounds the work with three tool systems: a gang post with a B-axis unit, a 10-station turret and an 8-spindle back unit. Headstock stroke is 320 mm (13-19/32 in) as standard and 289 mm (11-3/8 in) with the RGB unit.

The gang post holds 4 tools and the B-axis unit, which carries 4 front and 4 rear tools. Those are the positions for holes and milled faces that sit at an angle to the bar axis. The turret adds 10 stations with a maximum of 2 tools per station, and the back unit gives the sub spindle up to 8 tools. Among Star Micronics machines of this bar size, the SR-38 is listed with 5 tools on the front and 2 tools on the rear, and the ST-38 with a 10-station turret and a 350 mm (13-25/32 in) turning length. The SX-38 is the one that combines gang post, B-axis and turret.

Both spindles are rated 7,000 rpm and 7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min./25%ED). With the same rating on the sub spindle, roughing does not have to be finished before the part is handed over. The SR-32J runs to 8,000 rpm on Ø32 mm (1-1/4 in) bar, so the larger capacity here comes with a lower top speed.

Two figures deserve attention before ordering. Maximum front ejection length is 150 mm (5-7/8 in), less than half the standard stroke, so ask how longer parts leave the machine. And the table gives no machine weight and does not separate Type A from Type B. Rapid traverse is 30 m/min on X1, X2, X3, Y1, Z1, Z2 and Z3, 24 m/min on Y2 and 15 m/min on Y3. The footprint row reads 2,955 × 1,430 × 1,975 mm.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Machining Diameter	38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Max Headstock Stroke Standard	320 mm (13-19/32 in)
Max Headstock Stroke Rgb	289 mm (11-3/8 in)
Max Front Ejection Length	150 mm (5-7/8 in)
Number of Axes	12
Sub Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Sub Spindle Power	7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min./25%ED)
Gang Type Tools	4 tools + B-axis unit (front 4 + rear 4)
Turret	10 stations (max 2 tools per station)
Back Unit	8-spindle (max 8 tools)
Max Turning Diameter	Ø38mm (1-1/2in)
Max Headstock Stroke	320mm (13-19/32in)
Max Headstock Stroke with Rg B Unit	289mm (11-3/8in)
Max Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min./25%ED)
Turret Stations	10 stations
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (X1, X2, X3, Y1, Z1, Z2, Z3), 24 m/min (Y2), 15 m/min (Y3)
Headstock Stroke	320 mm (13-19/32 in)
Bar Capacity	Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Floor Space Required	2,955 × 1,430 × 1,975 mm

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Three tool systems on one machine: a gang post with 4 tools and a B-axis unit, a 10-station turret and an 8-spindle back unit
B-axis unit with 4 front and 4 rear tools for angled drilling and milling
Main and sub spindles both rated 7,000 rpm and 7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min./25%ED)
320 mm (13-19/32 in) headstock stroke as standard on Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar
Turret takes a maximum of 2 tools per station across its 10 stations
30 m/min rapid traverse on X1, X2, X3, Y1, Z1, Z2 and Z3

Limitations

Headstock stroke drops from 320 mm (13-19/32 in) to 289 mm (11-3/8 in) with the RGB unit
Maximum front ejection length is 150 mm (5-7/8 in), less than half the standard headstock stroke
Y3 rapid traverse is 15 m/min and Y2 is 24 m/min, against 30 m/min on the other listed axes
The table lists no machine weight and does not say how Type A and Type B differ, so both need confirming with the dealer
Top spindle speed is 7,000 rpm; the smaller SR-32J is listed at 8,000 rpm

Best For

Complex parts from Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar that need gang, turret and back tooling in one cycle Angled holes and milled faces, using the B-axis unit on the gang post Long parts within the 320 mm (13-19/32 in) headstock stroke Heavier cuts on both ends, with 7.5 kW continuous on the main and sub spindles

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What tooling does the SX-38 carry?

Three groups. The gang post has 4 tools plus a B-axis unit with 4 front and 4 rear tools. The turret has 10 stations and takes a maximum of 2 tools per station. The back unit is an 8-spindle type holding a maximum of 8 tools for the sub spindle.

02 How long a part can the SX-38 machine?

The maximum headstock stroke is 320 mm (13-19/32 in) as standard and 289 mm (11-3/8 in) with the RGB unit, on a maximum machining diameter of 38 mm (1-1/2 in). The maximum front ejection length is 150 mm (5-7/8 in), so check how parts longer than that are unloaded.

03 What are the spindle ratings of the SX-38?

Main and sub spindles carry the same listed figures: 7,000 rpm and 7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min./25%ED). The 11 kW figure is a short-time rating, so size sustained roughing cuts on the 7.5 kW continuous figure.

04 How does the SX-38 differ from the ST-38 and the SR-38?

All three take Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar at 7,000 rpm. The SR-38 is listed with 5 tools on the front and 2 tools on the rear and weighs 4,300 kg. The ST-38 has a 10-station turret, a 350 mm (13-25/32 in) turning length and weighs 6,250 kg. The SX-38 has both a gang post with a B-axis unit and a 10-station turret, with a 320 mm (13-19/32 in) standard headstock stroke.

05 How fast are the axes on the SX-38 and how much room does it take?

Rapid traverse is 30 m/min on X1, X2, X3, Y1, Z1, Z2 and Z3, 24 m/min on Y2 and 15 m/min on Y3. The footprint row reads 2,955 × 1,430 × 1,975 mm. No machine weight is listed, so get it from the dealer before planning the floor and the rigging.

06 What is the difference between SX-38 Type A and Type B?

The table covers both types in one set of figures and does not say which rows change between them. Ask the dealer for the type-by-type specification before ordering, in particular for the tool counts on the gang post, B-axis unit and back unit.