Tsugami C180

Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

Rapid Traverse

24 m/min (945 IPM)

type

High-precision CNC automatic lathe

chuck size

3-4 inch

max machining diameter

220 mm (8.66 in)

x axis travel

300 mm (11.81 in)

z axis travel

150 mm (5.91 in)

Overview

The Tsugami C180 is a high-precision CNC automatic lathe in Tsugami's C-series, designed for ultra-precise turning of small parts. It's built around a 3-4 inch chuck with a maximum machining diameter of 220 mm and features a screaming-fast 15,000 RPM main spindle that lets you push surface speeds on small-diameter parts well beyond what most conventional lathes can achieve.

The C180 uses symmetrically arranged spindles and slides, which is a deliberate design choice for thermal stability. When the machine heats up during production, symmetrical expansion means the cutting point stays centered rather than drifting to one side. This is the kind of engineering detail that separates machines holding tenths from machines holding microns.

Running on a FANUC 31i Model A control, the C180 has enough processing power for the high-speed interpolation needed at 15,000 RPM with 24 m/min rapid traverse. The 300 mm X-axis travel and 150 mm Z-axis travel define a compact working envelope that's optimized for small precision parts rather than large-diameter work. Glass scales come standard, which means you're getting direct position feedback rather than relying on ball screw pitch accuracy alone.

The air-tube integrated spindle design keeps contamination out of the spindle bearings, extending service life and maintaining accuracy. Combined with the gang tool post's zero-indexing-time tool changes, the C180 is a purpose-built production machine for shops that measure quality in microns and cycle time in fractions of a second.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Type	High-precision CNC automatic lathe
Chuck Size	3-4 inch
Max Machining Diameter	220 mm (8.66 in)
X Axis Travel	300 mm (11.81 in)
Z Axis Travel	150 mm (5.91 in)
Main Spindle Speed	15,000 RPM
Rapid Traverse Rate	24 m/min (945 IPM)
CNC Control	FANUC 31i Model A
Glass Scales	Standard
Spindle Type	Air-tube integrated
Slide Arrangement	Symmetrically arranged spindles and slides

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

15,000 RPM main spindle enables exceptional surface speeds for high-speed precision turning of small-diameter parts
Symmetrically arranged spindles and slides provide superior thermal stability for sub-micron dimensional consistency
Glass scales come standard, delivering direct position feedback for the highest possible positioning accuracy
Air-tube integrated spindle design extends bearing life by preventing coolant and chip contamination
FANUC 31i Model A control provides the processing power needed for high-speed interpolation at 15,000 RPM
24 m/min rapid traverse minimizes non-cutting time between operations

Limitations

220 mm max machining diameter limits the machine to small-to-medium parts only
150 mm Z-axis travel restricts workpiece length, ruling out longer turned components
Primarily Japan-market model with limited direct support infrastructure outside Japan
Gang tool post capacity is limited compared to turret-based machines for complex multi-operation parts
Premium pricing typical of Tsugami's precision C-series machines

Best For

Watch and clock component manufacturers producing precision shafts, gears, and stems Medical device producers making small implant components requiring sub-micron accuracy Electronics manufacturers turning precision pins, connectors, and sensor components at high speeds Optical and photonics component producers needing mirror-like surface finishes on turned parts Precision instrument manufacturers producing small mechanical components with tight tolerances

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Why does the C180 have glass scales standard?

Glass scales provide direct linear position feedback, bypassing any errors introduced by ball screw wear, thermal expansion, or backlash. On a machine designed for sub-micron accuracy, this direct feedback is essential. Most competitors offer glass scales as an expensive option; Tsugami includes them standard because the C180 is designed for precision-first applications.

02 What's the advantage of the symmetrical spindle arrangement?

Symmetrical arrangement means that as the machine heats up during production, thermal expansion happens equally on both sides. The cutting point stays centered rather than drifting. This eliminates the need for frequent offset adjustments during long production runs and maintains dimensional consistency from the first part to the last.

03 How does 15,000 RPM benefit small-part production?

On small-diameter parts (under 10 mm), you need very high RPM to achieve optimal surface speeds. At 15,000 RPM on a 5 mm diameter part, you're running at about 236 m/min, which is in the sweet spot for carbide tooling in most materials. Lower-speed machines would force you to run below optimal cutting parameters on these small diameters.

04 What's the air-tube integrated spindle?

The air-tube integrated spindle uses positive air pressure flowing through the spindle housing to create a barrier that prevents coolant mist and fine chips from reaching the spindle bearings. This extends bearing life significantly compared to conventional labyrinth seals, which is important on a 15,000 RPM spindle where bearing replacement is costly.