Dugard becomes UK agent for Kitamura machine tools

Kitamura machines are renowned for their quality, precision, productivity and within the first two weeks of the agency being established, Dugard sold two machines and received a number of additional enquiries.

The range of products is diverse: the Mycenter HXiG for example is available in sizes from the HX250iG (254 by 254mm travel) to the HX800G which features an envelope of 1,550 x 1,300 x1,400mm. The larger footprint HXiTGA range starts with the HX400iFTGA that has a 735 x 610 x 610mm envelope through to the largest HX1250i featuring an area of 2m x 1.3m x 1.37m.

Both machines offer high precision with 2µm positional accuracy and a repeatability precision of 1µm across the complete axes strokes. This is credit to linear scale feedback, patented twin ballscrew, twin servo motors and the hand scraping of every machine in the portfolio. From a productivity perspective, the twin-pallet configuration and 60m/minute rapids combine with tool-to-tool changeover times of 1.2 seconds to provide sustainable productivity gains.

From the vertical stable, Dugard can now offer the Mycenter 3XG and 3XiG, the 4XiF and 7X and the 2XD Sparkchanger. Like all the machines in the Kitamura portfolio, the VMCs are available with the Arumatik CNC control system that provides optimum processing speeds. Of particular interest to manufacturers undertaking 5-axis machining, Dugard customers are already switching-on to the extensive XT, Mytrunnion and MedCenter-5AX variants available.

For the high-precision machining of large components, Dugard can also offer the line of double column Bridgecenter machining centres. The smallest Bridgecenter-6G provides a work envelope of 1.5m x 1.1m x 710mm and this stretches up to the Bridgecenter-12G that offers an envelope of 3m x 1.6m x 800mm.

Commenting upon the new agency agreement, Dugard’s product sales manager Colin Thomson says: “The arrival of the Kitamura brand marks an exciting time for Dugard and it genuinely heralds a new dawn in the company’s evolution.

“We now have one of the most prestigious, high-end machine tool brands in the market and the versatility available from the range – from single, twin and multi-pallet systems with spindle, tool, build and control options, offer countless opportunities.

By choosing to work in partnership with Dugard, Kitamura now has access to the Dugard service support network that delivers exemplary levels of expertise and response times,” he adds. “This is already seeing existing Kitamura users in the UK approaching us to find out more.”

Dugard www.dugard.com