KITAMURA

Specializing in the design of machining centers and of high precision turning machine tools, the Japanese company Kitamura has always led a policy predominantly focused on research and development. Its motto, "Limitless Creativity" reveals its continuing commitment to improving its products and the extreme dynamism characterizing it. Founded in 1933 by Mr. Genji Kitamura in Kanyamachi, Takaoka city (Toyama Prefecture), the Japanese brand celebrated its 80th anniversary in November 8, 2013. What was called the KitamuraManufacturingCompany had first devoted most of its activities to the manufacturing of paper machines on behalf of the company Komatsu. Kitamura has then become nationally famous for the models of its planing machines, commonly used in Japan during the 1960s. Continuing its development, the firm has changed location and moved to a larger plant, still in Takaoka. In the year 1965, the company was to distinguish itself by developing machining centers specially designed for the manufacturing of chassis components for Japanese high speed trains, based on very accurate milling and boring abilities. As from the following decade, Kitamura made of the manufacturing of machining centers its main activity. By signing a partnership with the German company DONAU MaschinerieGmbH in 1974, Kitamura opens the doors of exports towards Europe. The CNC lathe is another specialty of the Japanese company ever since it launched its first models about the early 1980s. Relentlessly striving for performance, Kitamura presented in 1998 the world's fastest machining center; dubbed Sparkcut. The machine in question reaches spindle speeds of about 150.000 rpm and a maximum cutting speed of 3937 inches per minute with 2G accelerations. The CNC lathes labelled Kitamura, as well as its vertical machining centers and horizontal machining centers, its double column machining centers, its 5-axed machining centers, and engine driven welders are particularly apprecited machines on the second-hand market.