Tsugami B0125
Key Specifications
bar capacity
main spindle speed
sub spindle speed
axes
tool positions
live tool speed
Overview
The Tsugami B0125 is a precision sliding-headstock Swiss-type CNC lathe designed for high-volume production of small, complex turned parts up to 12.5 mm (0.492 in) bar capacity. Tsugami is one of the original innovators in Swiss-type turning, and the B0125 sits in their mid-range lineup, offering an excellent balance of capability, speed, and affordability for medical device, electronics, watchmaking, and precision connector manufacturers.
The B0125 features up to 7 axes of simultaneous control with a main spindle speed of 10,000 RPM and a sub-spindle at 10,000 RPM for back-working operations. The guide bushing system ensures exceptional concentricity and surface finish on long, slender parts with L/D ratios exceeding 8:1. The machine offers up to 21 tool positions including live tooling stations for cross-drilling, milling, and threading without secondary operations. Live tool speed reaches 8,000 RPM.
What distinguishes the B0125 from competitors like the Citizen L12 and Star SR-20 is Tsugami's emphasis on thermal stability and rigidity within a compact footprint. The machine uses a slant-bed construction with hand-scraped contact surfaces on critical joints, and the spindle employs ceramic hybrid bearings for long-term accuracy. The guide bushing is adjustable without special tools, reducing setup time when switching between bar sizes within the machine's capacity range.
The B0125 runs on the Fanuc 32i-B control with Tsugami's conversational overlay, making it accessible to operators who may be transitioning from simpler CNC platforms. Cycle times are competitive with the best in class, and the machine achieves dimensional tolerances of ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) and surface finishes to Ra 0.4 micrometers. New B0125 machines typically price in the $180,000-$280,000 range. Used units from 2016-2022 appear in the $80,000-$160,000 range.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bar Capacity | 12.5 mm (0.492 in) |
| Main Spindle Speed | 12,000 rpm |
| Sub Spindle Speed | 12,000 rpm |
| Axes | 5 |
| Tool Positions | 21 Max |
| Live Tool Speed | 8,000 RPM |
| Guide Bushing | Yes, adjustable |
| Turning Length Max | 60 mm (2.36 in) |
| Dimensional Tolerance | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.4 μm achievable |
| CNC Control | Fanuc 32i-B |
| Spindle Motor | 2.2 kW (3 HP) main |
| Machine Weight | 4,409 lbs.(2,000 kg) |
| Maximum Bar Stock | 0.5″(12 mm) |
| Sliding Headstock Guide Bushing | YES |
| Convertible Run W O Guide Bushing | YES |
| Max Headstock Stroke W Guide Bushingmax Headstock Stroke W O Guide Bushing | 8.26” (210 mm)1.77” (45 mm) |
| Live Tool Positions | 4 Max |
| Cnc Control | FANUC 0i-TF |
| Main Spindle Motor | 3 hp (1.5/2.2kW) |
| Footprint W X D X H | 65.2” x 44.3” x 66.9” (1,665 mm × 1,125 mm × 1,700 mm) |
Specifications sourced from tsugamiamerica.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 10,000 RPM main and sub-spindle speeds enable efficient machining of small-diameter parts in brass, aluminum, and stainless steel
- Up to 21 tool positions with live tooling allows complete part production including cross-drilling, milling, and threading in a single setup
- Guide bushing design delivers exceptional surface finish (Ra 0.4 μm) and concentricity on long, slender parts with high L/D ratios
- Compact footprint relative to capability makes it practical for shops with limited floor space running multiple Swiss machines
- Ceramic hybrid spindle bearings provide long-term thermal stability and accuracy retention between maintenance intervals
- Fanuc 32i-B control with conversational programming reduces the learning curve for operators new to Swiss-type turning
Limitations
- 12.5 mm bar capacity limits the machine to small parts only; shops needing 20 mm+ capability must look at larger models like the B0205
- Guide bushing operation consumes more bar stock due to remnant lengths, increasing material costs compared to fixed-headstock alternatives
- Live tooling power at the cross stations is limited compared to dedicated mill-turn machines, restricting heavy milling operations
- Setup complexity for Swiss-type machines remains higher than conventional CNC lathes, requiring skilled setup personnel
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New Tsugami B0125 machines typically price between $180,000 and $280,000 depending on the number of axes, live tooling configuration, and options like high-pressure coolant, bar feeders, and parts catchers. Adding a bar feeder typically adds $15,000-$30,000. Used B0125 units from 2016-2022 sell in the $80,000-$160,000 range, making them accessible entry points into Swiss-type production.
02
Both are excellent 12mm-class Swiss lathes. The Citizen L12 offers Citizen's LFV (Low Frequency Vibration) chip breaking technology as an option, which is a significant advantage for stringy materials like stainless steel. The Tsugami B0125 counters with its ceramic hybrid bearings and hand-scraped surfaces for long-term accuracy. Tooling capacity is similar. Many shops choose based on their existing fleet and service relationships.
03
Some Tsugami Swiss machines offer guide bushing-less operation for shorter parts, but the B0125 is primarily designed for guide bushing operation. For parts where the L/D ratio is low (under 3:1), a fixed-headstock lathe may be more economical. Tsugami's B-axis machines in other series offer convertible guide bushing/non-guide bushing modes for maximum flexibility.
04
The B0125 handles the full range of Swiss-type materials: free-machining brass, aluminum alloys, carbon and stainless steels, titanium (Grades 2, 5, 23), Inconel, MP35N, and engineering plastics like PEEK and Delrin. For harder materials like titanium and Inconel, reduced spindle speeds and appropriate tooling are required. The machine's rigidity makes it capable on these materials despite its small size.
05
Popular bar feeder brands for the B0125 include LNS, IEMCA, FMB, and Edge Technologies. LNS Alpha 320 and IEMCA Boss 332 are common pairings for 12mm bar stock. The bar feeder should be matched to the bar diameter range and stock length. Most shops opt for a hydrodynamic bar feeder for optimal surface finish and vibration control on small-diameter bars.
06
With proper maintenance and within recommended operating parameters, the ceramic hybrid spindle bearings on the B0125 typically last 15,000-25,000 hours before requiring replacement. This translates to approximately 5-8 years of two-shift operation. Bearing life is influenced by spindle speed usage patterns, coolant contamination control, and adherence to the maintenance schedule. Replacement cost is typically $3,000-$5,000 for parts.
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