Kitamura Kitamura Supercell-400G
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Kitamura Supercell-400G is a 5-axis horizontal machining center built for automated high-mix production of small to medium precision parts. The horizontal spindle with trunnion-style A/B rotary axes provides full 5-axis simultaneous machining with gravity-assisted chip evacuation, while the 20-station automatic pallet changer (expandable to 120 pallets) and 190-tool magazine (expandable to 290 tools) deliver serious lights-out manufacturing capability.
The Supercell-400G features 510 x 510 x 510 mm (20.1 x 20.1 x 20.1 in) equal X/Y/Z travels around a 350 mm (13.8 in) diameter pallet. The 20,000 RPM 4-step gear-driven spindle with NST No. 40 taper provides both high-speed finishing capability and the low-end torque needed for aggressive material removal in steel and alloy steels. Rapid traverse rates of 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) on all linear axes keep cycle times competitive.
Kitamura's hand-scraping process ensures positioning accuracy of +/-0.002 mm (+/-0.000079 in) and repeatability of +/-0.001 mm (+/-0.000039 in) per full stroke. The machine's Meehanite cast iron construction with induction-hardened solid box ways provides the thermal stability and vibration damping needed for consistent accuracy during extended unattended production runs. Ballscrew cooling and linear/rotary scale feedback systems further enhance long-term dimensional stability.
The Supercell-400G occupies a strategic middle ground between the smaller 300G (200 mm pallets) and Kitamura's larger HMC platforms. At $450,000-$700,000 new depending on pallet and tool configuration, it competes with the Makino a51nx, Matsuura MAM72-63V, and DMG Mori NHX 4000 for shops that need both 5-axis capability and horizontal automation in one platform.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 510 mm (20.1″) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 510 mm (20.1″) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 510 mm (20.1″) |
| Pallet Diameter | 350 mm (13.8 in) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 20,000 min⁻¹ |
| Spindle Taper | NST No. 40 |
| Spindle Drive | 4-Step Gear Driven |
| Tool Capacity | 190 Pcs. – 290 Tools Optional |
| Pallet Changer | 20-station APC (up to 120 pallets optional) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) all axes |
| A Axis Range | -120 to +30 degrees |
| B Axis Range | 0 to 360 degrees (continuous) |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.002 mm (±0.000079″)/Full Stroke |
| Repeatability | ±0.001 mm (±0.000039″) |
| Power Supply | 45 KVA, 200V AC, 3-phase |
| CNC Control | Kitamura Arumatik-Mi |
| Rapid Traverse X | 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse Y | 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 50 m/min (1,969 ipm) |
| Electrical | 45 KVA, 200 V AC, 3 Phase |
Specifications sourced from kitamura-machinery.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 20-station pallet changer expandable to 120 pallets enables massive lights-out production capacity for high-mix manufacturing
- 20,000 RPM gear-driven spindle delivers both high-speed aluminum finishing and strong torque for steel and alloy roughing
- Hand-scraped Meehanite cast iron construction with box ways provides exceptional long-term accuracy retention
- 510 mm equal travels on all three axes provide a well-proportioned work envelope for medium-sized parts
- 190-tool standard magazine expandable to 290 tools eliminates tool constraints across diverse part families
- Horizontal spindle with trunnion 5-axis provides superior chip evacuation for deep-cavity and pocket machining
Limitations
- 350 mm pallet diameter limits maximum workpiece size compared to 400 mm-class HMC competitors
- High initial investment requires high-volume or high-mix production to justify the automation infrastructure
- Arumatik-Mi control is less common than Fanuc in the HMC market, potentially complicating operator hiring
- Kitamura's 5-axis HMC service expertise is less widely available than their VMC support in most regions
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The Supercell-400G adds full 5-axis capability with A/B trunnion axes (the original 400 was a 4-axis HMC with B-axis indexing only). The 400G uses a 350 mm round pallet vs the 400 x 400 mm square pallet on the original. Both share Kitamura's hand-scraping and precision DNA, but the 400G targets 5-axis work while the original 400 excels at 4-axis horizontal production.
02
New Supercell-400G machines typically price between $450,000 and $700,000 depending on pallet count, tool magazine size, and spindle options. A fully configured 120-pallet, 290-tool system represents the upper end but delivers maximum lights-out capability.
03
The standard configuration includes a 20-station automatic pallet changer. This is expandable to 40, 60, 80, 100, or 120 pallets depending on production requirements. Each pallet is 350 mm in diameter. The large pallet capacity combined with up to 290 tools enables true lights-out operation for diverse part families.
04
Yes, the 4-step gear-driven spindle provides substantial low-end torque for titanium and other aerospace alloys. The horizontal orientation with trunnion-table rigidity maintains stable cutting forces at compound angles. The NST No. 40 taper is the limiting factor for extremely aggressive roughing, but for most titanium finishing and semi-finishing operations the 400G is well-suited.
Videos
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