Today and more than a decade on there are several thousand Swashdrive Tattoo machines being used in the professional art of Tattooing. These machines have become renowned for their efficiency and quality craftsmanship.

A Fundamental difference:

The Swashdrive Tattoo machine is fundamentally different to any other mechanical tattoo machine in use. The mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the electric motor to the reciprocating needle movement is done by means of a swashplate, not a cranking action nor a cam action.

 

Note: These images are from the earlier Gen IV, the new Gen VII is leaner, lighter, more compact and more powerful.

What is a swashplate:

The easiest way to describe the action is to take a large coin, stand it on its edge and give it a spin. As the coin slows from spinning and starts to fall on its side it gives off a wobbling action. This is known as a swashing action and is a natural phenomenon. In essence the swashdrive uses this action to convert rotary to reciprocating action. The swashing action is the most efficient method of conversion to date and in this machine it generates a massive 15:1 mechanical advantage, giving it the ability to drive huge shading clusters of up to 80 needles.

Whilst this machine packs a huge punch it also is extremely efficient with its ink delivery. The needle velocities of this machine are of a sine wave, meaning the speed of the needles are of a constant velocity. What does this mean for tattooing? Compared to a rotary (cranking action) at the same hits per second (rpm) the needle velocities are 20% slower. So in essence, the machine will operate or work up to 20% faster and have the same impact on the skin.

On-going Development & Refinment