The personalisation machine for smart cards (5) comprises an administration computer system (1) connected via at least one data personalisation transmission element (2, 200) to a turning device (3) equipped with routing means of personalisation data to locations (32) of a plurality of card locations (5). Said transmission element (2, 200) is of wired type and has a maximal data transmission capacity greater than 100 MBps (megabytes per second). To ensure a substantial processing rate with a compact machine, it is provided with:—means (4) for driving in rotation of bi-directional type for turning the device (3) around an axis (23) of rotation, said system (1) remaining fixed;—a control module (40) regularly inverting the direction of rotation of the turning device. Stops are provided for preventing rotation of the device (3) beyond one turn.