2007 Star 20R Type 540 CNC Swiss Lathe w/ Barfeeder

The Star 20R Type 540 is a CNC Swiss-type automatic lathe built around the precision and production reliability that has made Star Micronics a staple in high-volume turned-parts environments for decades. Designed for bar stock up to 20mm in diameter, this machine delivers guide bushing Swiss-type turning for parts requiring tight concentricity and surface finish standards that conventional turning centers cannot achieve. The 2007 configuration includes a sub-spindle, C-axis on the main spindle, and live tooling capability — allowing fully-finished parts, front and backwork complete, to come off the machine without secondary operations. The Express 332 bar feeder accompanies the machine, providing continuous bar loading for unattended production runs. Coolant was used throughout its service life (not oil), and the machine is ready to support shops tackling medical, aerospace, and precision contract work in the sub-20mm range.

Compared to the earlier Star SR-20 Type A, the 20R Type 540 represents a meaningful step forward in both control capability and multi-axis flexibility. The SR-20 Type A delivered solid Swiss-turning fundamentals but ran a simpler control architecture with fewer programmable axes and limited live tooling positions relative to what the 20R generation introduced. The 20R Type 540 brought an upgraded control platform with expanded axis management, enhanced canned cycle support, and greater programming flexibility for complex multi-operation parts — without sacrificing cycle time. Where the Type A required more secondary work to complete complex geometries, the 20R’s improved live tool capacity and axis coordination allow more complete single-setup cycles, a direct production advantage when running tight-tolerance components at volume.