Tsugami Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)

Tsugami VA4-II

$120,000 - $180,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

BBT40 (BIG PLUS BT40)

Table Size

850 x 510 mm (33.5 x 20 in)

max table load

800 kg (1,764 lbs)

x axis travel

720 mm (28.3 in)

y axis travel

510 mm (20.1 in)

z axis travel

460 mm (18.1 in)

Overview

The Tsugami VA4-II is a compact vertical machining center that punches above its weight class in both capability and value. Built around an 850 x 510mm table with 720 x 510 x 460mm axis travels, it occupies the mid-range VMC segment where shops need real production capability without taking up an entire bay of floor space. Tsugami isn't the first name most people think of when they hear VMC, but this machine builds on the same precision engineering that's made them a leader in Swiss-type lathes.

The VA4-II's spindle runs a BBT40 (BIG PLUS BT40) taper at up to 10,000 RPM with an 18.5/11 kW motor. The BIG PLUS dual-contact interface provides better rigidity and accuracy than a standard BT40 connection, which translates to better surface finishes and longer tool life under heavy cutting conditions. The 30-tool magazine is a significant upgrade over the previous VA4 model's 20-tool capacity -- that extra tooling capacity means fewer tool changes during complex programs and less downtime for manual tool swaps.

The 800 kg table load capacity is generous for a machine in this footprint class. That's enough for moderate fixturing setups including multi-part tombstones. The wide door opening makes fixture loading and unloading practical even with larger workholding setups, and the wide tooling zone gives you room to work around tall fixtures.

Running a FANUC 0i-MF Plus control, the VA4-II is straightforward to program and operate. At 5,000 kg and 2,320 x 2,837mm footprint, it's a relatively compact machine for its working envelope. The VA4-II is a solid choice for job shops, production departments, and medical/dental manufacturers that need a reliable, precise VMC without the complexity or cost of a larger platform.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Table Size	850 x 510 mm (33.5 x 20 in)
Max Table Load	800 kg (1,764 lbs)
X Axis Travel	720 mm (28.3 in)
Y Axis Travel	510 mm (20.1 in)
Z Axis Travel	460 mm (18.1 in)
Spindle Taper	BBT40 (BIG PLUS BT40)
Spindle Speed	100-10,000 RPM
Spindle Motor	18.5/11 kW (24.8/14.8 HP)
Tool Magazine	30 tools
CNC Control	FANUC 0i-MF Plus
Machine Weight	5,000 kg (11,023 lbs)
Floor Space Required	2,320 x 2,837 x 2,652 mm

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

30-tool magazine is a major upgrade over the previous VA4's 20-tool capacity, reducing manual tool changes on complex jobs
BBT40 (BIG PLUS) spindle taper provides dual-contact rigidity that outperforms standard BT40 connections
800 kg table load capacity handles substantial fixturing setups including multi-part tombstones
18.5 kW spindle motor delivers solid cutting power for steel, stainless, and aluminum roughing operations
Compact footprint relative to its 720 x 510mm working envelope makes efficient use of floor space
Wide door opening and tooling zone simplify fixture loading and workholding setup

Limitations

10,000 RPM spindle speed limits high-speed aluminum machining compared to 12,000-15,000 RPM competitors
460mm Z-axis travel may be limiting for tall workpieces or deep-cavity mold work
Tsugami VMCs have a smaller installed base than Haas, Mazak, or Okuma, potentially affecting parts availability
No through-spindle coolant standard may require an upgrade for demanding hole-making applications

Best For

Job shops needing a reliable mid-range VMC with good tooling capacity for varied work Medical and dental component manufacturers producing precision fixtures, housings, and instrument parts Production departments running repeat parts on mid-size aluminum and steel workpieces Second-operation shops complementing their Swiss lathe department with milling capability Prototype and R&D departments needing precision machining in a compact footprint

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What's the difference between BBT40 and standard BT40?

BBT40 (BIG PLUS) adds a secondary contact between the toolholder face and the spindle face, in addition to the standard taper contact. This dual-contact design increases rigidity by about 30%, reduces vibration, and improves accuracy. BBT40 holders are backward-compatible with standard BT40 spindles, but you only get the dual-contact benefit when both the spindle and holder are BIG PLUS. It's a meaningful advantage for heavy cutting and finish work.

02 How does the VA4-II compare to a Haas VF-2?

Both are mid-range VMCs targeting similar applications. The Haas VF-2 has a larger working envelope (762 x 406 x 508mm vs 720 x 510 x 460mm) and higher spindle speed options. The Tsugami counters with its BBT40 spindle interface for better toolholding rigidity and a 30-tool magazine standard. Haas has a massive advantage in parts availability and service network. The VA4-II tends to hold slightly tighter tolerances out of the box.

03 Is the VA4-II suitable for 4th-axis work?

The 850 x 510mm table and T-slot pattern accommodate a 4th-axis rotary table. The 800 kg table load handles the weight of a rotary table plus workpiece without issues. The FANUC 0i-MF Plus control supports 4th-axis programming natively. Check with Tsugami for approved rotary table brands and mounting configurations.

04 What kind of tolerances can you hold on the VA4-II?

The VA4-II typically holds ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) in production. For best results, allow the machine to reach thermal equilibrium (20-30 minutes of warm-up), use proper workholding, and manage coolant temperature. The BBT40 spindle interface helps maintain consistency by reducing tool pull-out and runout compared to standard BT40 setups.

05 What's the upgrade path from the VA4-II?

Within the Tsugami VMC lineup, the VL4 offers a longer X-axis at 1,000mm and a larger 1,100 x 510mm table for bigger workpieces. For higher spindle speeds, the VA3S runs at 20,000 RPM in BT30. Outside the Tsugami lineup, a step up would be a 40-taper VMC from Okuma, Mazak, or DMG Mori with larger envelope and more standard features.