C Dugard Ltd, Hove (www.dugard.com) has been appointed as the new exclusive agent for Kiwa Machinery Co Ltd throughout the UK and Ireland.

Based in Nabari, Kiwa is widely recognised as one of Japan’s premier manufacturers of horizontal machining centres and has a strong R&D background.

Dugard says Kiwa’s expandable tool and pallet technology allows machines to be tailored to meet individual requirements. Moreover, the tool changer and multi pallet systems can be upgraded at the customer’s site — from a two-pallet 120-tool machine to a six- or eight-pallet machine with 220 tools.

This capability gives customers the flexibility to meet future expansion needs without having to buy a new machine.

“The machines feature ultra-high-speed rapids — up to 80,000mm/min on the KH-400 model — as well as direct-drive and built-in spindle options offering speeds up to 15,000 and 20,000rev/min respectively.

“Also featured is a patented hybrid slideway design that combines roller and boxways, to give both speed and rigidity.”