Tsugami FMA3-V
Key Specifications
Rapid Traverse
type
x axis travel
y axis travel
z axis travel
pallet size
Overview
The Tsugami FMA3-V is a compact horizontal machining center purpose-built for high-mix, semi-attended and unattended production. With a 20-pallet vertical magazine, up to 190 tools, and a 300mm pallet size, this machine is designed to keep cutting when nobody's watching. It's the updated version of Tsugami's proven FMA3-III platform, refined with a vertical pallet system for more efficient floor space utilization.
The FMA3-V's 15,000 RPM spindle with 10 HP handles the small-to-medium aluminum and steel parts that are this machine's bread and butter. Axis travels of 360 x 330 x 400mm (X/Y/Z) aren't going to impress anyone chasing big parts, but that's missing the point entirely. This machine is about throughput on small parts -- processing hundreds of different part numbers across 20 pallets with up to 190 tools ready to go, all in a footprint that fits where many single-pallet HMCs can't.
Tool changes happen in 1.0 second tool-to-tool, with 5.0 seconds chip-to-chip. Pallet changes take 9 seconds -- fast enough that pallet swap time becomes a small fraction of total cycle time. The vertical pallet magazine is the key design feature: by stacking pallets vertically instead of arranging them on a horizontal carousel, Tsugami dramatically reduces the floor space penalty of a 20-pallet system.
The non-contact binary pallet identification system automatically loads the correct program for each pallet, eliminating operator error during automated production. At 11,500 kg (25,300 lbs), the machine has substantial mass for vibration damping, and the 4,040 x 2,485mm footprint is remarkably compact for the automation capability packed inside. This is the kind of machine that transforms a job shop's lights-out capabilities.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Horizontal machining center with pallet system |
| X Axis Travel | 360 mm (14.17 in) |
| Y Axis Travel | 330 mm (13.0 in) |
| Z Axis Travel | 400 mm (15.75 in) |
| Pallet Size | 300 x 300 mm (11.75 x 11.75 in) |
| Pallet Magazine | 20 pallets |
| Spindle Speed | 200-15,000 RPM |
| Spindle Motor | 10 HP |
| Tool Magazine | 62, 126, or 190 tools |
| Atc Tool To Tool | 1.0 second |
| Chip To Chip | 5.0 seconds |
| Pallet Change Time | 9.0 seconds |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 24 m/min (994 IPM) |
| CNC Control | FANUC |
| Machine Weight | 11,500 kg (25,300 lbs) |
| Floor Space Required | 4,040 x 2,485 x 2,740 mm |
Specifications sourced from tsugami.co.jp — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 20-pallet vertical magazine enables genuine lights-out production across multiple part numbers without operator intervention
- Up to 190 tools means you can set up dozens of different jobs without ever running out of tool stations
- 9-second pallet changes and 1-second tool changes minimize non-cutting time for maximum spindle utilization
- Vertical pallet system stacks pallets efficiently, using far less floor space than horizontal carousel arrangements
- Non-contact binary pallet ID eliminates operator error by automatically loading the correct program per pallet
- 11,500 kg machine mass provides excellent vibration damping for consistent accuracy during unattended operation
- 15,000 RPM spindle handles both high-speed aluminum work and moderate steel machining
Limitations
- 360 x 330 x 400mm travels limit maximum workpiece size -- this is strictly a small-parts machine
- 300mm pallet size constrains fixturing options and part dimensions
- 10 HP spindle power is modest for heavy steel cutting at the larger end of the working envelope
- High initial investment compared to single-pallet HMCs, though ROI through utilization gains is typically strong
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The vertical pallet magazine stores 20 pallets in a vertical loop, similar to a vending machine arrangement. Each pallet moves vertically to the exchange position, swaps into the machine in 9 seconds, and the previous pallet returns to storage. This layout uses roughly half the floor space of a traditional horizontal carousel for the same pallet count. Each pallet carries a non-contact binary ID that tells the control which program to run.
02
It depends on your production mix. If you're running 20 pallets with different part numbers, each requiring 8-10 tools, that's 160-200 unique tools. The 62-tool base configuration works for shops running fewer part numbers or parts that share tools. The 126 and 190-tool options make sense for high-mix operations where you want to set up all your jobs at once and let the machine run through them unattended.
03
The FMA3-V is the updated version with the vertical pallet magazine system. The FMA3-III uses the same vertical bed and 20-pallet system but represents the previous generation. Both share identical axis travels, spindle speed, and tool capacity options. The FMA3-V incorporates refinements to the pallet handling system and updated FANUC control features.
04
Absolutely. You can load as few as one pallet and add more as your workload grows. The system is completely flexible -- load 5 pallets of the same part for a production run, or load 20 different parts for maximum variety. The non-contact binary ID system means you don't need to load pallets in any specific order.
05
The FMA3-V targets smaller parts than the Mazak HCN series (which uses 400-500mm pallets) or the Makino a51 (400mm pallets). Those machines have more power and larger working envelopes. The FMA3-V's advantage is packing 20 pallets and 190 tools into a compact footprint at a lower price point. It's the better choice when your parts are small and your mix is high.
Videos
Tsugami America
Tsugami America
Related Machines
Haas EC-400
Makino a51nx
Okuma MB-5000HII
DMG Mori NHX 5000
Makino a61nx
