Leader CNC Packs Innovation into Small Footprint Kitamura Machine

24 April 2015

For highly productive machining of quality parts cost effectively, Leader CNC has introduced the compact new Kitamura 3XD vertical machining centre. The innovative new machining centre has been developed from the established 4XD, retaining a large work envelope that is packed into a small footprint for machine shops with limited floor-space.

Kitamura has built this machine round a C-Frame base to maximise rigidity and vibration damping, using heavy duty cross roller linear guideways to further enhance performance and retain Kitamura's renowned levels of precision. Along with the appealing combination of a robust built quality and small footprint, the amazing productivity of the 3XD and the innovation packed into the Arumatik-JR CNC control really sets this machine apart from anything else in its class.

The high powered 3XD is the ideal productivity partner for manufacturers in the mould & die and general subcontract markets. With X, Y and Z-axis travels of 760mm /510mm / 510mm respectively and a rapid traverse rate of 48M/min, the 3XD epitomises power and productivity. To support high material removal rates, the 3XD incorporates a dual contact BBT40 taper spindle, a high powered 26kW motor and a maximum spindle speed of 12,000rpm. Maximum performance is achieved through the use of an NRG drive system.

The 3XD is supplied with a 24 tool magazine with a random memory selection that provides an astounding tool change time of 1.9 seconds, significantly reducing non-cutting times. The spindle taper can accommodate maximum tool diameters of 75/150mm with a tool length of 240mm. This capacity for large tools, unparalleled tool change time and a high powered spindle motor all combine to give the 3XD productivity rates that cannot be matched by any other machine of its size.
With such high productivity rates, swarf evacuation is a critical factor and, with the 3XD, Kitamura offers a flexible configuration that allows the end user to place the conveyor on either the left or right of the machine.

All this design technology is driven by Kitamura's state-of-the-art Arumatik-JR CNC control unit, packed with high speed machining functions that are beyond the realms of alternative control units. The feature-rich Arumatik-JR provides processing speeds 16 times faster than many controls fitted to commodity machines. Other standard features include a 675 bock look-ahead, USB connection and Ethernet interface for fast and smooth program transfer. Also as standard and to put it above most control systems, the new Arumatik-JR control includes workpiece co-ordinate system (54 sets), co-ordinate system rotation, 700 custom macro variables, inverse time feed, 400 tool offset pairs, 3D tool radius compensation, high speed skip, thread cutting, rigid tapping, small diameter deep hole drilling and tapping cycles, helical interpolation and much more.

This innovative CNC control unit is fronted by a user friendly operator panel and large screen, whilst superb diagnostics allow interrogation of the system for maintenance.
The robust machine design and build, high powered spindle performance and rapid feeds make this machine the outstanding performer in its class. With this culmination of features being driven by a unique CNC control, Leader CNC truly leads the industry with this high performance machine for small to medium sized components.