With the introduction of the MT4-85 horizontal CNC lathe from SB Machine Tools, Kitako has applied its four-spindle technology to small parts turning. In small parts machining, a loading process plays a critical role in reducing overall cycle time. With Kitako's "load while machining" advantage, the loading time is minimized. Therefore, the productivity increases as much as three times more than the conventional CNC lathes, according to the company.

Operating much like a pallet changer on a machining center, parts are transitioned in and out of the machining zone in as little as 0.8 second each. The machine's four spindles are mounted in a horizontal, square pattern in a large carrier drum. The drum's positioning accuracy is ensured by a large-diameter, precision-toothed curvic coupling, the company says. Spindles are generally partnered as pairs so as the carrier is indexed 180 degrees; two spindles rotate to the machining area as two spindles move out for loading and unloading. The two spindles in the machining zone along with the respective slides and turrets work simultaneously as well as independently.

The lathe's carrier indexing time is 1.5 seconds, and spindle speeds range from 60 to 60,000 rpm. Each slide on the MT4-85 features a high-speed, eight-station drum turret; chuck sizes are 4 inches.