Citizen Cincom Series vs Star vs Tsugami Swiss Lathes: A Detailed Buyer Comparison

Citizen Cincom Series vs Star vs Tsugami Swiss Lathes: A Detailed Buyer Comparison

When looking for Swiss type lathes, there are multiple options out there in the market. However, the problem was never with quantity, but rather with quality. There are several top brands like Citizen, Star, and Tsugami, which make some top notch swiss type lathes that one can decide to go ahead with. Now, there comes the question, which one to go with, as which one will be more suitable for your manufacturing needs? In this blog, we are going to discuss the major differences between Citizen Cincom vs Star vs Tsugami Swiss lathes to help you identify which one is going to be the best fit for you. 

Core Purpose of Swiss Type Lathes:

Before we go into discussing different brands, let’s try to know for what reasons Swiss type lathes are actually used for: 

  • Longer and slender components that require guide bushing support

  • Small diameter and high volume turned parts

  • Medical, aerospace, electronics, and other precision fastener work

The buyer of these machines often prioritizes:

  • Multi axis capability

  • Tool density and automation compatibility

  • Dimensional repeatability

Major Differences Between Citizen Cincom vs Star vs Tsugami:

Here are some of the major differential factors that you need to know between Citizen Cincom vs Star vs Tsugami Swiss type lathes, before making the purchase call:

1. Citizen Cincom:

Let’s start our discussion with Citizen Cincom Swiss lathes first. This is a highly reliable swiss type lathe series, which is often highly appreciated by the user. 

One of the major advantages of this machine is its sliding headstock design with compact footprints. Also, one of the major features that makes the machine highly in demand is its manual setup feature. Some other advantages of this machine are:

  • Conversational programming features on some of their models.

  • The LFV technology of this machine is helpful for materials like copper, plastics, and stainless steel.

  • There is a high availability of spare parts for this machine, and long term support is also available for older models.

So, if you want to buy the Citizen Cincom series CNC machine, then check out the collection of MachineStation. 

2. Star: 

If Citizen is the sleek tech leader, Star is the rugged powerhouse. One of the main reasons behind the popularity of Star Swiss type lathes is their box way construction, which helps in heavy duty cutting work. Some other benefits of these CNC machines are:

  • The rigid build of the machine helps in vibration damping during manufacturing

  • Well known Fanuc controls for the operator’s ease of use. 

  • The machines have a simple mechanical layout, which is helpful for manufacturers with less experience. 

But the machines also have tooling layout complexity, which can be problematic for operators. 

3. Tsugami:

The Tsugami Swiss type lathes are also one of the best swiss lathe for high precision machining that come at an affordable price range. Their CNC machines are widely reliable and efficient for machining purposes. Here are some of the main benefits of the Tsugmai Swiss type lathe CNC machines: 

  • Tsugami’s SS and modular series allow for rapid swapping of live and static tools. 

  • The Tsugami swiss type lathe machines feature sub spindle configurations, important for precision machining.

  • Their setup is easy, and their Fanuc control system is easy to use for several manufacturers out there. 

Table of Differences Between Citizen Cincom vs Star vs Tsugami Swiss Type Lathes: 

Feature/Brand

Citizen Cincom Series

Star

Tsugami

Build Quality

Excellent

Excellent

Good

Ease of Setup

Easiest

Moderate

More Challenging

Control System

Mitsubishi, intuitive

FANUC, flexible

FANUC, less refined

Initial Cost

Highest

Mid-range

Lowest

Resale Value

Highest

Good

Moderate

Tooling/Accessories

Excellent

Good

Adequate

Best For

High-volume, precision

Versatility, ruggedness

Budget, entry-level


Conclusion:

All three brands, which are Citizen, Star, and Tsugami, make high quality swiss lathes that have top notch machining capabilities. But which one will be the right choice for you can only be decided when you evaluate your limits and machining needs properly. After you are done with the evaluation, you can go with buying a used machine from a reliable platform and have a great machining journey. 

FAQs:

1. What is the main difference between Citizen Cincom, Star, and Tsugami Swiss lathes?

The primary differences usually come down to machine architecture, programming flexibility, and how each brand approaches multi-axis and multi-channel machining.

2. How important is programming experience when choosing between these Swiss lathes?

Shops with advanced programming resources often lean toward more complex machine architectures, while others prefer simpler control environments.

3. Is brand reputation more important than machine condition in the used market?

Most buyers place greater importance on machine condition, maintenance records, and application fit than brand name alone when purchasing used Swiss lathes.

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