Kitamura Mycenter 4XiG
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Max Spindle
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Overview
The Kitamura Mycenter 4XiG is a high-accuracy vertical machining center designed for precision mold and die work, aerospace component machining, and tight-tolerance production applications. Built by Kitamura Machinery in Kanazawa, Japan, the 4XiG features X/Y/Z travels of 1,020 x 510 x 510 mm (40.2 x 20.1 x 20.1 in) with a 1,200 x 510 mm (47.2 x 20.1 in) table. Kitamura is renowned for hand-scraping machine slideways and performing volumetric accuracy compensation that delivers positioning accuracy well beyond what the machine's price point would suggest.
The 4XiG is equipped with a 15,000 RPM direct-drive spindle delivering 18.5 kW (25 hp) through a BT 40 interface. Kitamura's spindle design emphasizes thermal stability and low vibration, with a chilled spindle oil cooling system that maintains thermal growth under 5 microns during continuous operation. The machine achieves positioning accuracy of 0.002 mm (0.00008 in) and repeatability of 0.001 mm (0.00004 in), numbers verified by laser interferometer at the factory — placing the 4XiG in the same accuracy class as machines costing significantly more.
Kitamura's signature manufacturing process involves hand-scraping all critical mating surfaces — a labor-intensive technique that creates superior flatness, straightness, and oil-retention characteristics compared to precision grinding alone. Each machine undergoes 200+ hours of accuracy verification and compensation before shipping. The result is a vertical machining center that delivers jig-boring-class accuracy in a production machine format. The FANUC 31i-B5 control provides advanced 5-axis readiness if a rotary table is added, along with high-speed look-ahead and nano-interpolation for fine surface finishes.
The Kitamura Mycenter 4XiG competes with the Makino F5, Mori Seiki (DMG Mori) NV series, Roku Roku, and Yasda YBM-950V for precision vertical machining applications. New 4XiG machines are priced between $180,000 and $250,000 depending on spindle option, ATC capacity, and probing packages. Used Kitamura Mycenter units from 2015-2022 maintain strong resale values between $90,000 and $160,000, reflecting the machines' accuracy retention over time.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 1020 mm (40.2″) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 510 mm (20.1″) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 510 mm (20.1″) |
| Max Spindle Speed | 15,000 min⁻¹ |
| Spindle Taper | NST No. 40 |
| Spindle Motor Power | 41 HP |
| Table Size | 510 x 1120 mm (19.7″ x 44.1″) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 800 kg (1,764 lb) |
| Tool Capacity | 40 Pcs. |
| CNC Control | FANUC 31i-B5 |
| Machine Weight | 7,500 kg (16,535 lb) |
| Positioning Accuracy | ±0.002 mm (±0.000079″)/Full Stroke |
| Repeatability | ±0.001 mm (±0.000039″) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 42 m/min (X, Y), 36 m/min (Z) |
| Tool To Tool | 2.2 Sec. |
| Rapid Traverse X | 2,362 ipm (60 m/min) |
| Rapid Traverse Y | 2,362 ipm (60 m/min) |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 2,362 ipm (60 m/min) |
| Cnc Control | Arumatik-Mi Pro |
| Electrical | 30 KVA, 200v AC, 3 Phase |
Specifications sourced from kitamura-machinery.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Hand-scraped slideways deliver superior flatness and contact quality that maintain accuracy over decades, with Kitamura machines routinely passing requalification checks after 15-20 years of service
- 0.002 mm positioning accuracy and 0.001 mm repeatability place the 4XiG in the same accuracy class as machines costing $300,000-$400,000, providing exceptional value for precision work
- Thermally stabilized direct-drive spindle with chilled oil cooling maintains less than 5 microns of thermal growth, ensuring consistent accuracy from cold start through continuous production
- 1,020 mm X-travel provides more room than most machines in this class, accommodating longer mold plates and multiple small parts in a single setup for improved productivity
- FANUC 31i-B5 control with nano-interpolation enables mirror-like surface finishes on mold surfaces, reducing hand polishing time and improving mold quality
- Kitamura's factory accuracy verification process with laser interferometer calibration and 200+ hours of testing ensures that delivered accuracy matches published specifications
Limitations
- 15,000 RPM maximum spindle speed is adequate for precision work but limits the machine for high-speed aluminum roughing compared to 20,000-30,000 RPM spindle options on some competitors
- BT 40 taper limits the maximum cutting force compared to BT 50 / CAT 50 machines, though this is standard for the precision VMC class and adequate for most applications
- Kitamura's North American dealer network is smaller than major Japanese brands like Mazak and Okuma, though dedicated distributors provide focused service in key manufacturing regions
- Hand-scraped slideways mean slower rapid traverse compared to linear-guide machines — 42 m/min vs 60+ m/min on some competitors, adding non-cutting time on large tool-path programs
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New Kitamura Mycenter 4XiG machines price between $180,000 and $250,000 depending on configuration. Base machines with 30-tool ATC and standard probing start around $180,000. Adding expanded 60-tool ATC, 4th/5th axis rotary table, through-spindle coolant, and advanced probing packages push toward $250,000. Used Kitamura Mycenter machines from 2015-2022 maintain strong resale values between $90,000 and $160,000, reflecting the machines' reputation for long-term accuracy retention.
02
Hand scraping creates a surface with precisely controlled high spots that provide optimal contact distribution and oil retention between mating surfaces. While grinding produces a geometrically flat surface, hand scraping creates a surface that is both flat and has micro-pockets for lubricant retention, resulting in smoother motion, less stick-slip, and longer geometric accuracy retention over the machine's life. Each Kitamura slideway surface takes many hours to hand-scrape, but the result is accuracy that remains stable for decades.
03
Both are precision VMCs targeting mold/die and aerospace work. The Makino F5 offers a core-cooled spindle with options up to 20,000 RPM and Makino's SGI.5 surface finish optimization. The Kitamura 4XiG counters with hand-scraped slideways for long-term accuracy retention and a significantly lower price point ($180,000-$250,000 vs $250,000-$350,000 for the F5). Both deliver excellent surface finishes and tight tolerances. The Makino has the edge in high-speed die/mold finishing; the Kitamura offers better value for precision work across a broader range of applications.
04
Yes, the FANUC 31i-B5 control is 5-axis ready, and Kitamura offers factory-integrated rotary table options for 4th-axis indexing or full 5-axis simultaneous machining. Third-party rotary tables from Tsudakoma, Nikken, or Kitagawa are also compatible. The 800 kg table load and 510 mm Y-travel provide adequate envelope for rotary table integration. For shops needing occasional 5-axis capability without the cost of a dedicated 5-axis machine, this approach provides flexibility.
05
Kitamura machines are renowned for maintaining their accuracy over extremely long service lives. Hand-scraped slideways retain their geometric accuracy for 15-20+ years with proper maintenance, and many shops report Kitamura machines passing laser calibration checks within original specifications after decades of daily use. This long-term accuracy retention provides excellent return on investment and is a primary reason for Kitamura's strong resale values on the used market.
06
The standard 4XiG spindle is a 15,000 RPM direct-drive unit with 18.5 kW power. Kitamura offers a 20,000 RPM high-speed option for shops focused on aluminum and copper electrode machining, and a 12,000 RPM high-torque option for harder materials. All spindle options include Kitamura's thermal management system with chilled spindle oil cooling. The 15,000 RPM standard spindle provides the best versatility for mixed-material precision work.
Community Discussions
Maintenance and service — Thread: Desperately seeking Kitamura 4th axis parameters
Troubleshooting and problem-solving — Kitamura - CNCzone
Community discussion — KITAMURA MYCENTER 1/485 - cnczone.com
Community discussion — 4th axis parameter quesdtion - cnczone.com
Links to community discussions. Summaries are editorial — visit the original thread for full context.
