Citizen Cincom B12E-VI

Est. $100,000 - $170,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · cmj.citizen.co.jp Updated 2026-10-03

Image: marucit.com, Citizen Machinery

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

12,000 rpm (R.G.B. 8,000 rpm)

maximum machining diameter

12 mm dia.

maximum machining length

135 mm/chuck(R.G.B. in use 60 mm/chuck)

maximum drilling diameter for main spindle

6 mm dia.

maximum front tapping diameter tap die

main spindle through hole diameter

20 mm dia.

How much does the Citizen Cincom B12E-VI cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$100,000 - $170,000

Our best estimate for a swiss-type lathe in this class — not a quote from Citizen Machinery. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Citizen Cincom B12E-VI is the fully equipped 12 mm machine in Citizen's B12E/B16E table: a sliding-headstock lathe with a 12,000 rpm main spindle, a back spindle and gang rotary tools, with 16 tool positions in all. For small parts that carry a cross hole, a flat or a slot as well as features on both ends, that combination means the part drops off finished rather than going to a second operation.

The rotary tools are sized for a 12 mm bar. Citizen lists 5 mm drilling and M4 tapping at up to 4,500 rpm from a 0.5 kW tool spindle motor. That handles cross holes, small flats and light slotting; it is not meant for heavy milling, and in tough materials a 0.5 kW drive will set the pace of any milled feature.

On the back spindle the chuck takes 12 mm, speed goes to 6,000 rpm on a 1.0 kW motor, and back-end work is rated to 5 mm drilling and M3 tapping with up to 30 mm of the part protruding. The front end drills to 6 mm and taps M6.

Stroke per chucking is 135 mm with the guide bush, or 60 mm with the R.G.B. in use, when the main spindle also runs to a lower, separately listed limit. Compared with the Cincom B12E-V, this model adds the rotary tools and three more tool positions at the same 1,150 kg. The Cincom B16E-VI has the same layout for 16 mm bar but tops out at 10,000 rpm, so for the smallest diameters the B12E-VI keeps the speed advantage.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Maximum Machining Diameter	12 mm dia.
Maximum Machining Length	135 mm/chuck(R.G.B. in use 60 mm/chuck)
Maximum Drilling Diameter for Main Spindle	6 mm dia.
Maximum Front Tapping Diameter Tap Die	M6
Main Spindle Through Hole Diameter	20 mm dia.
Max Spindle Speed	12,000 rpm (R.G.B. 8,000 rpm)
Maximum Drilling Diameter for Rotary Tool	5 mm dia.
Maximum Tapping Diameter for Rotary Tool	M4
Spindle Speed of The Gang Rotary Tool	4,500 rpm
Maximum Chuck Diameter of Back Spindle	12 mm dia.
Maximum Protrusion Length of The Back Spindle Workpiece	30 mm
Maximum Drilling Diameter in Back Machining Process	5 mm dia.
Maximum Tapping Diameter in Back Machining Process	M3
Sub Spindle Speed	6,000 rpm
Number of Tools to Be Mounted	16
Tool Size Turning Tool	10 Sq.×120 mm or 60 mm
Tool Size Sleeve	19.05 mm dia.(Option:20 mm dia.)
Rapid Feed Rate X Axis	21 m/min
Rapid Feed Rate Y Axis	21 m/min
Rapid Feed Rate Z Axis	15 m/min
Rapid Feed Rate A2 Axis	15 m/min
Motors for Spindle Drive	2.2/3.7 kW
Motors for Tool Spindle Drive	0.5 kW
Motors for Back Spindle Drive	1.0 kW
Motors for Cutting Coolant Oil	0.18 kW
Power Requirement	5.2 kVA
Load Operation Average Power	4 kVA
Center Height	1,000 mm
Machine Weight	1,150 kg

Specifications sourced from cmj.citizen.co.jp — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Back spindle and gang rotary tools on one 12 mm machine, with 16 tool positions
Gang rotary tools rated for 5 mm drilling and M4 tapping at up to 4,500 rpm
12,000 rpm main spindle, against 10,000 rpm on the 16 mm Cincom B16E-VI
Back machining to 5 mm drilling and M3 tapping, with a 12 mm back spindle chuck at 6,000 rpm
Runs on a 5.2 kVA supply with a 4 kVA average load and weighs 1,150 kg

Limitations

12 mm bar capacity; larger stock calls for the 16 mm Cincom B16E-VI
The 0.5 kW tool spindle motor keeps rotary-tool work to light drilling, tapping and milling
Using the R.G.B. cuts the stroke to 60 mm per chucking and lowers the main spindle limit from 12,000 rpm
The back spindle tops out at 6,000 rpm, half the main spindle speed, which slows very small drills on the back end

Best For

Small parts with cross holes or flats from bar up to 12 mm Complete machining of both ends plus side features in one cycle Electronic and connector pins needing M4 cross tapping Short parts run with the R.G.B. to reduce remnant

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the B12E-VI differ from the B12E-V?

The B12E-VI adds gang rotary tools, rated for 5 mm drilling and M4 tapping at 4,500 rpm on a 0.5 kW motor, and mounts 16 tools rather than 13. Both have the 12 mm bar capacity, the 12,000 rpm main spindle and the 12 mm back spindle chuck at 6,000 rpm, and both weigh 1,150 kg.

02 What can the rotary tools on the B12E-VI handle?

Citizen rates the gang rotary tools for drilling up to 5 mm diameter and tapping up to M4, at a maximum of 4,500 rpm. The tool spindle motor is 0.5 kW. That covers cross holes, tapped side holes and small flats on 12 mm parts, while larger milled features will be slow.

03 Should I choose the B12E-VI or the B16E-VI?

Bar size decides it. The Cincom B16E-VI takes 16 mm bar and a 16 mm back spindle chuck, with a 10,000 rpm main spindle. The B12E-VI is limited to 12 mm but runs to 12,000 rpm, which helps cutting speed on the smallest diameters. The rotary tool ratings and tool count are listed the same for both.

04 What changes when the R.G.B. is used on the B12E-VI?

The maximum machining length per chucking drops from 135 mm to 60 mm, and the main spindle maximum drops from 12,000 rpm to the bracketed R.G.B. speed in Citizen's table. The other limits in the table, such as front drilling to 6 mm and tapping to M6, are given without an R.G.B. qualifier.