Citizen Cincom L12 Type VII

Est. $120,000 - $200,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · cmj.citizen.co.jp Updated 2026-10-03

Image: cmj.citizen.co.jp, Citizen Machinery

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

15,000 rpm

maximum machining diameter

12 mm dia.

maximum machining length gb machine

135 mm/chuck

maximum machining length gbl machine

30 mm/chuck

maximum drilling diameter for main spindle

8 mm dia.

maximum tapping diameter for main spindle tap die

How much does the Citizen Cincom L12 Type VII cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$120,000 - $200,000

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 L12 Type VII is a 12 mm sliding-headstock lathe built for speed on very small parts: a 15,000 rpm main spindle, gang rotary tools at 10,000 rpm, a 10,000 rpm back spindle and 35 m/min rapids on all axes, with up to 27 tools. Citizen offers it as a guide-bush (GB) machine or a guide-bushless (GBL) machine, and the choice sets the length of part it can make in one chucking.

The GB machine machines up to 135 mm per chucking, so slender pins and shafts are supported close to the cut. The GBL machine is limited to 30 mm per chucking, which suits short parts where the remnant left by a guide bush would be a large share of each bar. Decide this before ordering, since it is listed as two machines rather than a setting.

The tooling figures are generous for a 12 mm bar. The main spindle drills to 8 mm and taps M6. Gang rotary tools, on a 0.75 kW drive, drill 5 mm and tap M4 at up to 10,000 rpm, a speed that lets small drills and end mills cut at a sensible surface speed. On the back spindle the chuck takes 12 mm, back drilling goes to 6 mm and tapping to M5 with 30 mm of protrusion, on a 0.4/0.75 kW motor.

Against the Cincom B12E-VI, also a 12 mm machine with back spindle and rotary tools, the L12 runs its main spindle to 15,000 rpm rather than 12,000 rpm, its rotary tools to 10,000 rpm rather than 4,500 rpm, and mounts up to 27 tools rather than 16. The price of that is size: the L12 weighs 1,700 kg and needs 6.1 kVA (3.2 kVA average), where the Cincom B12E-VI weighs 1,150 kg and needs 5.2 kVA.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Maximum Machining Diameter	12 mm dia.
Maximum Machining Length Gb Machine	135 mm/chuck
Maximum Machining Length Gbl Machine	30 mm/chuck
Maximum Drilling Diameter for Main Spindle	8 mm dia.
Maximum Tapping Diameter for Main Spindle Tap Die	M6
Main Spindle Through Hole Diameter	20 mm dia.
Max Spindle Speed	15,000 rpm
Maximum Drilling Diameter for Gang Rotary Tool	5 mm dia.
Maximum Tapping Diameter for Gang Rotary Tool	M4
Gang Rotary Tool Spindle Speed	10,000 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	6 mm dia.
Maximum Tapping Diameter in Back Machining Process	M5
Sub Spindle Speed	10,000 rpm
Number of Tools to Be Mounted	max. 27
Tool Size Turning Tool	10 mm Sq.
Tool Size Sleeve	19.05 mm dia.
Rapid Feed Rate All Axis	35 m/min
Motors for Spindle Drive	2.2/3.7 kW
Motors for Tool Spindle Drive	0.75 kW
Motors for Back Spindle Drive	0.4/0.75 kW
Motors for Cutting Coolant Oil	0.25 kW
Power Requirement	6.1 kVA
Load Operation Average Power	3.2 kVA
Center Height	1,000 mm
Machine Weight	1,700 kg

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

15,000 rpm main spindle and 10,000 rpm gang rotary tools for small diameters and small cutters
Up to 27 tools, against 16 on the Cincom B12E-VI
35 m/min rapid feed on all axes
Back spindle runs to 10,000 rpm with 6 mm drilling and M5 tapping
Available as a GB machine with 135 mm per chucking or a GBL machine with 30 mm per chucking

Limitations

Bar capacity ends at 12 mm
The GBL machine is limited to 30 mm per chucking, so long parts need the GB build
Back spindle motor is 0.4/0.75 kW, which limits heavy back-end cuts
At 1,700 kg it is heavier than the 1,150 kg Cincom B12E-VI

Best For

Very small precision parts needing high spindle speeds Small cross holes and flats with 10,000 rpm rotary tools Short parts on the guide-bushless GBL build Complex 12 mm parts needing up to 27 tools

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between the L12 GB and GBL machines?

The GB machine uses a guide bush and machines up to 135 mm per chucking. The GBL machine runs without a guide bush and is limited to 30 mm per chucking. The GBL build suits short parts and reduces bar remnant, while the GB build supports long slender parts close to the tool.

02 How fast are the L12's rotary tools?

The gang rotary tools run to 10,000 rpm on a 0.75 kW tool spindle motor, with drilling to 5 mm and tapping to M4. That higher speed suits the small drills and end mills used on 12 mm parts, where cutters need high revolutions to reach their cutting speed.

03 How does the L12 Type VII compare with the B12E-VI?

Both are 12 mm machines with a back spindle and gang rotary tools. The Cincom B12E-VI runs its main spindle to 12,000 rpm and its rotary tools to 4,500 rpm, mounts 16 tools and weighs 1,150 kg. The L12 runs to 15,000 rpm and 10,000 rpm, mounts up to 27 tools and weighs 1,700 kg.

04 What can the L12's back spindle do?

The back spindle takes a 12 mm chuck, runs to 10,000 rpm and allows 30 mm of the part to protrude. Back machining is listed to 6 mm drilling and M5 tapping. The back spindle motor is rated 0.4/0.75 kW.

05 What power does the L12 Type VII need?

Citizen lists a 6.1 kVA power requirement and a 3.2 kVA average during load operation. Motors are 2.2/3.7 kW for the main spindle, 0.75 kW for the tool spindle, 0.4/0.75 kW for the back spindle and 0.25 kW for coolant. The machine weighs 1,700 kg.