Kitamura Machinery Horizontal Machining Centers

Kitamura Kitamura Mycenter-HX400iG

$400,000 - $600,000 Updated 2026-03-19

Key Specifications

X Travel

610 mm (24")

Y Travel

610 mm (24")

Z Travel

610 mm (24")

Max Spindle

15,000 min⁻¹ (20,000 min⁻¹ Option)

Spindle Taper

NST No. 40 (HSK-A63 Opt.)

Tool Capacity

50 Pcs. – 62, 100, 150, 200, 300 Tools Optional

Overview

The Kitamura Mycenter-HX400iG is a compact horizontal machining center built around Kitamura's hallmark hand-scraped accuracy and precision construction in the 400 mm pallet class. HMCs in the 400 mm pallet range target high-precision four-sided machining of smaller prismatic components in aerospace, medical, and precision industrial applications where the horizontal spindle orientation provides superior chip evacuation and the ability to machine multiple faces in a single setup.

The HX400iG delivers X/Y/Z travels of 560 x 560 x 640 mm (22 x 22 x 25.2 in) with a 400 x 400 mm pallet capable of holding workpieces up to 250 kg. The 20,000 RPM direct-drive spindle equipped with Kitamura's dual-contact Big Plus 40-taper provides the high-speed capability required for aluminum aerospace components while the machine's rigidity handles titanium and steel work. An APC (automatic pallet changer) enables continuous machining, making the HX400iG suitable for lights-out production runs.

Kitamura's hand-scraping extends to the HX400iG's linear and rotary axis mating surfaces, providing the sub-micron positioning accuracy that separates Kitamura HMCs from Korean and Taiwanese competitors at similar price points. B-axis indexing at 0.001-degree increments supports fine angular positioning for compound features without full simultaneous 5-axis capability. For shops that need true 5-axis simultaneous HMC machining, the 5-axis trunnion table option is available.

At $400,000-$600,000, the HX400iG competes with the Brother Speedio W1000Xd1, Makino a40, and Matsuura H.Plus-400. Kitamura's pricing sits between the volume-market Brother and the premium Makino, offering Japanese hand-scraped precision at a mid-range HMC price point that attracts precision job shops and small aerospace manufacturers.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Pallet Size	400 x 400 mm (15.7 x 15.7 in)
X-Axis Travel	610 mm (24")
Y-Axis Travel	610 mm (24")
Z-Axis Travel	610 mm (24")
Max Workpiece Weight	250 kg (551 lb)
Max Spindle Speed	15,000 min⁻¹ (20,000 min⁻¹ Option)
Spindle Taper	NST No. 40 (HSK-A63 Opt.)
Spindle Drive	Direct drive
Tool Capacity	50 Pcs. – 62, 100, 150, 200, 300 Tools Optional
Pallet Change Time	10 sec
Rapid Traverse Rate	50/50/50 m/min (1,969 ipm)
B Axis Indexing	0.001 deg (full 360 deg)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.001 mm (±0.000039")
Machine Weight	13,500 kg (29,762 lb)
CNC Control	Kitamura Arumatik-Mi
Table Size	400 x 400 mm (15.7" x 15.7")
Tool To Tool	1.3 Sec.
Rapid Traverse X	60 m/min (2,362 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Y	60 m/min (2,362 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Z	60 m/min (2,362 ipm)
Repeatability	±0.0005 mm (±0.00002")
Cnc Control	Arumatik-Mi CNC
Electrical	50 KVA, 200 V AC, 3 Phase

Specifications sourced from kitamura-machinery.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Horizontal spindle orientation provides superior chip evacuation and 4-faced part access in a single setup versus VMC alternatives
20,000 RPM direct-drive spindle with Big Plus enables high-speed aluminum aerospace machining at high precision
Hand-scraped mating surfaces on all axes achieve sub-micron positioning accuracy rare in the 400-pallet HMC class
50 m/min rapids reduce positioning time between features on complex prismatic programs
60-tool ATC supports lights-out production runs with minimal tool change interruptions
B-axis indexing to 0.001 deg enables compound-angle features without full simultaneous 5-axis investment

Limitations

400 x 400 mm pallet limits the machine to small prismatic workpieces — cannot accommodate medium or large parts
Arumatik-Mi control requires retraining for operators accustomed to Fanuc or Heidenhain HMC controls
Kitamura HMC dealer support network is narrower than Makino or Okuma
$400K-$600K investment requires sufficient 4-sided precision part volume to justify versus a VMC approach

Best For

Precision aerospace shops machining aluminum and titanium structural components requiring 4-sided access in a single setup Medical device manufacturers producing complex implants and instruments where 4-face machining eliminates repositioning error Precision job shops transitioning from VMC to HMC for small, complex prismatic components Shops seeking lights-out capability on precision small parts with APC and large tool magazine Defense contractors machining small complex components where geometric accuracy on all faces is critical

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Why choose a 400 mm pallet HMC over a VMC for small parts?

The horizontal spindle orientation allows chips to fall away from the part and fixturing by gravity, reducing chip re-cutting and simplifying chip management. The rotary B-axis provides 4-sided access in a single setup, eliminating repositioning errors that accumulate when moving parts between VMC setups. For complex small prismatic parts, the HMC is typically faster and more accurate than multiple VMC operations.

02 What does a Kitamura HX400iG cost?

New HX400iG machines typically price between $400,000 and $600,000 depending on options and ATC configuration. This positions the machine between high-volume smaller HMCs like the Brother W1000Xd1 and premium machines like the Makino a40, offering Kitamura's hand-scraped precision at a mid-tier HMC price.

03 Can the HX400iG be used as a 5-axis machine?

The base HX400iG provides 4-axis machining with B-axis indexing (not simultaneous 5-axis). A tilting table option converts the machine to full 5-axis simultaneous capability for compound surface machining. Shops requiring true 5-axis simultaneous contouring should specify the tilting table option at time of order.

04 How does the HX400iG compare to the Makino a40?

Both are high-precision 400-pallet horizontal machining centers. The Makino a40 has faster rapids and a larger North American dealer network. The Kitamura HX400iG offers hand-scraped mating surfaces and is generally priced slightly below the Makino. For shops where precision and long-term accuracy retention outweigh service network considerations, the Kitamura is a strong alternative.