Nexturn SA(XII) Series 8-Axis CNC Swiss-Type Lathes with Optional B-Axis

The Nexturn SA(XII) Series Swiss lathes โ€” available in models SA-20XII (20 mm / 0.787โ€), SA-32XII (32 mm / 1.26โ€), and SA-51XII (51 mm / 2.00โ€) โ€” delivers exceptional precision, rigidity, and performance for complex small-part production. Each machine is built for high-accuracy multitasking with up to 8 axes and an optional fully programmable 135ยฐ B-axis on the 20 mm and 32 mm models, providing 0ยฐโ€“135ยฐ of rotation for angled drilling, milling, and contouring.

With bar capacities from 20 to 51 mm and tooling configurations up to 33 tools, the SA(XII) line efficiently handles everything from intricate medical components to heavy-duty automotive and aerospace parts. Manufacturers in medical, aerospace & defense, automotive, electronics, and general precision turning industries rely on Nexturn for its unmatched combination of stability, accuracy, and ease of operation.

Competing directly with Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, Star, Mazak, Doosan, Tornos, Swiss-Tech, Swissturn, and Hanwha, Nexturn machines deliver cost-effective engineered solutions backed by Absolute Machine Toolsโ€™ automation and applications expertise.

Key Features

  • Axes: Up to 9 (8 standard + optional B-axis on SA-20XII / SA-32XII)
  • Tool Capacity: Up to 33 tools with B-axis (29 without) on SA-20XII / SA-32XII; 22 tools on SA-51XII
  • Bar Capacities: 20 mm (0.787″), 32 mm (1.26″), 51 mm (2.00″)
  • Main Spindle: 5 HP (20 mm), 10 HP (32 mm), 17.5 HP (51 mm) / 8,000 RPM (20 & 32 mm) / 6,000 RPM (51 mm)
  • Sub Spindle: 3 HP (20 & 32 mm, belt drive) / 20 HP (51 mm, built-in)
  • Live Tooling: 1.3 HP up to 6,000 RPM (5,000 RPM on rear of SA-51XII)
  • B-Axis Travel: 0ยฐ โ€“ 135ยฐ programmable rotation (20 mm and 32 mm models only)
  • Rapid Traverse Rates: 1260 IPM (20 & 32 mm) / 944 IPM (51 mm)
  • Coolant Capacity: 70 gallons (20 & 32 mm) / 80 gallons (51 mm)
  • Control: Fanuc 31iT-B / 31iT-B5 Plus or Fanuc OiT-F Plus
  • Spindle Positioning: C1/C2 axes with 0.001ยฐ resolution and pneumatic or hydraulic disc brakes for rigid milling
  • Structure: One-piece cast-iron bed with FEM design for thermal stability and accuracy
  • Chip Management: Optional high-pressure coolant (300โ€“2000 PSI), Reacton fire suppression, and chip conveyor packages
  • Automation-Ready: Compatible with A+ Automationโ€™s MIU and Auto Door Kits, plus OB7 and FANUC CRX cobots for lights-out operation.

Specifications

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Item / Model
SA-20XII Request a Quote
SA-32XII Request a Quote
SA-51XII Request a Quote

FREE TRACER 20 Bar Feeder
Package Price starts at $169,900

FREE TRACER 32V Bar Feeder
Package Price starts at $209,900

FREE TRACER 51V Bar Feeder
Package Price starts at $269,900

Number of Axes

8 / 9 (opt.)

8 / 9 (opt.)

8 / 9 (opt.)

Number of Channels

2

2

2

Bar Capacity (Front/Rear)

20 mm / 20 mm

32 mm / 32 mm

51 mm / 51 mm

Max. Turn Length

11″

11″

5.9″

Guide Bushing Type

Synchronous

Synchronous

None

Main Spindle

5 HP / 10,000 RPM

10 HP / 8,000 RPM

17.5 HP / 6,000 RPM

Sub Spindle

3 HP / 8,000 RPM

3 HP / 8,000 RPM

20 HP / 6,000 RPM

Total Tools
(with / without B-Axis)

31 / 29

31 / 29

22

Fixed Tools (Front/Rear)

11 / 4

11 / 4

10 / 3

Live Tools (Front/Rear)
with / without B-Axis

12 / 10

12 / 10

6

Live Tools (Rear)

4

4

3

Cross Live Tools

1.3 HP / 6,000 RPM

1.3 HP / 6,000 RPM

3 HP / 6,000 RPM

Backend Live Tools

1.3 HP / 6,000 RPM

1.3 HP / 6,000 RPM

1.3 HP / 6,000 RPM

B Axis

0 โ€“ 135ยบ

0 โ€“ 135ยบ

0 โ€“ 135ยบ

C Axis Contouring

Main/Sub

Main/Sub

Main/Sub

CNC Control

FANUC 31iT

FANUC 31iT

FANUC 31iT

Weight

7,920 lbs.

8,140 lbs.

9,240 lbs.

Benefits for Metal Cutting Manufacturers

  • Reduced cycle times and higher throughput thanks to simultaneous main and sub-spindle operations with C1/C2 control.
  • Programmable B-axis (20 mm and 32 mm) eliminates secondary operations by enabling multi-angle machining in a single setup.
  • Superior rigidity and stability from a one-piece FEM-optimized cast-iron bed ensures tight tolerances under heavy cutting.
  • Built-in motor spindles (5 HP on SA-20XII, 10 HP on SA-32XII, 17.5 HP on SA-51XII) provide exceptional acceleration and surface finish quality.
  • High-speed live tooling up to 6,000 RPM with rigid tapping and ER-16 collets delivers powerful milling and drilling capabilities.
  • Exchangeable guide bushing design (on SA-20XII and SA-32XII) offers flexibility for long or short parts and reduces remnant waste.
  • Non-guide design on SA-51XII allows cold-drawn or non-ground bar stock and minimizes remnant length to just 70 mm.
  • Servo Learning Oscillation (chip breaking) option improves surface finish and enables reliable unattended operation.
  • Fanuc CNC controls (31iT-B / 31iT-B5 Plus for SA-20XII & SA-32XII, OiT-F Plus for SA-51XII) offer fast processing, dual-path control, and conversational programming.
  • High-speed positioning (1260 IPM on 20 & 32 mm models; 944 IPM on 51 mm) shortens non-cut time and boosts productivity.

Together, these features allow manufacturers to produce tight-tolerance parts with superior surface finishes, reduced setup times, and greater profitability in competitive production environments.

Ideal Cutting Applications

  • Medical: Bone screws, surgical implants, dental fasteners, orthopedic pins, and cannulas
  • Aerospace & Defense: Connectors, valves, sensor housings, and fuel system fittings
  • Automotive: Drive shafts, valve pins, gears, and precision fuel components
  • Electronics: Micro housings, inserts, and threaded couplers
  • General Production: Hydraulic fittings, nozzles, bushings, and precision fasteners

FAQs

How does a CNC Swiss machine work?

As the turning process begins on a CNC Swiss machine, the main spindle unchucks the workpiece, giving the operator the amount of stroke needed based on the length of the part. The guide bushing continues to feed material into the tooling to create the desired features. The close geometry construction of the machine allows the tool to work within millimeters of the workpiece, reducing chip-to-chip time to a second or less. Using a guide bushing allows a tool to take a heavier depth of cut on the part itself without jeopardizing tolerances. Then, the machine performs a pick off process with the sub-spindle side. If there are any secondary operations to be done on the back of the part, this can be achieved here at the sub. The part is then dropped into a conveyor, which ejects it out the front of the sub.

What is a guide bushing?

The rotary guide bushing, originally called an anti-friction guide bushing, was patented in 1963 to hold various diameters of bar stock for automatic screw machines. The guide bushing rotates the workpiece and pushes it into and out of the cutting tool. It was found to be particularly adaptable for use in a Swiss-type automatic screw machine, which are generally provided with a headstock movable axially to the machine frame while rotating the bar stock. Having an adjustable bushing allows for turning bar stock rigidly and close to the turning tools, which makes it possible to machine parts with high quality finishes and extreme accuracies. A rotary guide bushing rotates with the workpiece and is ideal for turning wider parts, with tolerances greater than +/-0.0005โ€. Fixed guide bushings remain stationary while the bar stock spins and are ideal for parts that require tighter tolerances.

How many axes does a Swiss lathe have?

While the number of axes can vary depending on the options, most conventional Swiss lathes have 7-9 axes. For instance, the Nexturn SA(XII) series feature up to 8 axes and up to 29 total tools, increasing to 9 axes with the B-axis.

Read more Swiss lathe FAQs