The Bernardo KBM 40 fixed column drill is the medium model in the KBM range with a 3 kW motor for industrial workshops handling medium-heavy workpieces, with drilling capacity in steel up to Ø 40 mm and tapping up to M30 with automatic reversal. Technical characteristics: Morse taper spindle MT 4, 12 spindle speeds 31.5-1,400 rpm (in steps), automatic spindle feed with 9 ranges 0.056-1.8 mm/rev, 3.0 kW motor with 350 Nm torque, 16,000 N feed force. Cast iron table 560 × 480 mm with 18 mm T-slots, table lift 315 mm, spindle-column distance 335 mm, spindle-table distance max 740 mm. Cast iron structure, weight 1,250 kg, machine dimensions 750 × 1,150 × 2,500 mm. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Drilling capacity steel: Ø 40 mm
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Tapping capacity: M30 with automatic reversal
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Morse taper spindle: MT 4
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Spindle speed: 12 speeds 31.5-1,400 rpm
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Spindle torque: 350 Nm
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Feed force: 16,000 N
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Spindle stroke: 250 mm
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Cast iron table: 560 × 480 mm with 18 mm T-slots
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Table lift: 315 mm
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Motor: 3.0 kW at 400V three-phase
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Weight: 1,250 kg
Who uses the KBM 40 and for what
The Bernardo KBM 40 is a medium-heavy fixed column drill for industrial workshops with high-capacity mechanical production. Drilling capacity Ø 40 mm and tapping up to M30: sized for medium-large workpieces (over 200 × 200 mm), with a 3.0 kW motor and 350 Nm torque, more than double that of KBM 25/32 models. The 16,000 N feed force allows through-drilling on high-strength alloy steels (HSS tool steel, 42CrMo4, 30NiCrMo12) and tough materials. Cast iron table 560 × 480 mm with 18 mm T-slots: larger dimensions compared to light models for supporting large workpieces. The MT 4 taper supports tools up to Ø 40 mm: for drilling diameters larger than the Morse taper, this model is not correctly sized, the KBM 50 version (MT 5) is required. Typical application sectors: mechanical industry with production of medium-heavy mechanical components, industrial maintenance workshops for motor and transmission repair, metal fabrication with heavy structures for construction and infrastructure, agricultural industry for building and maintaining agricultural machinery.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo drill range is organized into 3 main categories: bench drills (DMT 20, BM, TB) for craft workshops with occasional use; fixed column drills (KBM 25/32/40/50/63/80) for industrial workshops with high-capacity mechanical production; gear drills (GB 30 TV) for precision workshops requiring superior concentricity. The KBM 40 and KBM 50 are the medium models in the KBM range, sharing the frame (table 560×480 mm, weight 1,250 kg) and MT 4 spindle taper. Differences: the KBM 40 has Ø 40 mm drilling with a 3.0 kW motor and speeds of 31.5-1,400 rpm; the KBM 50 has Ø 50 mm drilling with a 4.0 kW motor and speeds of 45-850 rpm (lower range for higher torque on large tools). For workshops with typical tools Ø 25-40 mm, the KBM 40 is the correct choice; for workshops with tools Ø 40-50 mm, the KBM 50 is sized with a higher motor. For higher capacities (Ø 63-80 mm), the KBM 63/80 models (heavy category with 5.5 kW motor and 800 Nm torque) are correctly sized.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). Due to its heavy weight, it requires a crane or heavy pallet truck for unloading from the transport vehicle and installation. Internal workshop handling with a forklift or manual pallet truck (at least 1,500 kg capacity). HSS drill bits in MT tapers, milling chucks, tapping devices, LED lamps, coolant pumps, original Bernardo spare parts (belts, gears, seals, motors) available from stock with 3-5 working day shipping. Customer support in Italian available.
Who the KBM 40 is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Hobbyist or workshop with occasional use |
Not suitable |
Industrial machine weighing 1,250 kg with required 400V three-phase line. For occasional use, DMT 20 bench drills or BM/TB column drills are correctly sized. |
| Mechanical industry with medium-heavy workpieces |
Recommended |
560×480 mm table for supporting large workpieces, 3.0 kW motor with 350 Nm torque for through-drilling on alloy steels. 16,000 N feed force allows heavy-duty operations. |
| Metal fabrication for welded structures |
Recommended |
315 mm table lift allows adaptation to different workpiece heights. Tapping with automatic reversal for threaded holes on workshop structures. |
Not suitable for: workshops without an industrial 400V three-phase line with adequate cross-section; environments without space for machine dimensions (750 × 1,150 × 2,500 mm); high-precision drilling (for concentricity ≤ 0.02 mm, the GB 30 TV or CNC drills are correctly sized); occasional hobby use (the machine is oversized, consider DMT 20 or BM/TB drills from the bench drill range).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Drilling capacity steel |
Ø 40 mm |
| Max tapping capacity |
M30 |
| Morse taper spindle |
MT 4 |
Speeds and feeds
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speed |
12 speeds 31.5-1,400 rpm |
| Spindle torque |
350 Nm |
| Spindle stroke |
250 mm |
| Drill head stroke |
200 mm |
| Spindle feed |
9 ranges 0.056-1.8 mm/rev |
| Feed force |
16,000 N |
Table and working dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Table dimensions |
560 × 480 mm |
| T-slots |
18 mm |
| Table lift |
315 mm |
| Spindle-column distance |
335 mm |
| Max spindle-table distance |
740 mm |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power |
3.0 kW |
| Voltage |
400V three-phase / 50 Hz |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
750 × 1,150 × 2,500 mm |
| Weight |
1,250 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/CE |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo KBM 40 drill
- Integrated cooling device
- Tapping device with automatic reversal
- Right/left rotation (R/L)
- Integrated LED work light
- Morse taper sleeve
- Height-adjustable CE compliant guard
- Service tool set
- User manual in Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MT 4 taper and other tapers?
The MT 4 Morse taper is dimensioned for tools up to Ø 40 mm. For larger diameter tools, a larger Morse taper is required (MT 4 for Ø 32-40 mm, MT 5 for Ø 40-63 mm, MT 6 for Ø 63-80 mm).
The Morse taper is an international standard that defines the conical coupling between spindle and tool: the taper is designed for self-clamping during rotation. HSS drill bits, milling cutters, reamers and tapered reducing sleeves are available in all MT tapers. For B16 or B18 tools (cylindrical with screw clamping), a drill chuck with the machine's MT shank is required: professional keyless chucks are recommended for quick and safe tool changes.
How does the automatic spindle feed work?
Automatic feed lowers the spindle at a constant and adjustable speed depending on the material, eliminating the operator's physical effort on the manual lever. The 9 feed ranges (0.056-1.8 mm/rev) cover different materials: 0.056-0.1 mm/rev for hard steels, 0.1-0.3 mm/rev for alloy steels, 0.3-0.7 mm/rev for mild steels, 0.7-1.8 mm/rev for aluminum and light alloys.
Correct feed is crucial for: drill bit life (excessive feed causes breakage), hole quality (reduced feed causes slow machining and high burr), machine productivity (optimal feed significantly reduces drilling times). For series production, automatic feed allows for identical multiple holes without manual intervention: a crucial feature for productivity.
Does M30 tapping require a specific device?
Yes, and it is included as standard equipment. The tapping device with automatic reversal allows M30 tapping without the need for manual spindle stop: the direction of rotation reverses automatically when the set depth is reached.
Standard tapping procedure: mount the tap in the MT tap holder, adjust the depth stop, position the workpiece on the table with tapping lubricant. The operator starts the machine, the spindle rotates forward cutting the thread, when the depth is reached the direction automatically reverses, retracting the tap. Specific tapping oil for steel (e.g., CutCool, Tapping Fluid) is recommended for thread quality and tap life.
Can I perform precision drilling with this drill?
For standard precision (concentricity 0.05-0.1 mm), yes. For higher precision (concentricity ≤ 0.02 mm), gear drills (GB 30 TV) or CNC drills with precision spindles are correctly sized.
KBM fixed column drills have belt drive with typical industry standard concentricity. For higher precision applications (precision reaming, drilling for H7 fits), the GB 30 TV with hardened and ground gear drive offers concentricity ≤ 0.02 mm. For extremely precise industrial applications (concentricity below 0.01 mm), dedicated boring machines or CNC machining centers are required.
What electrical power supply is needed for this machine?
Three-phase 400V line with adequate cable cross-section for the 3.0 kW motor: typically 4 mm² up to 30 meters, 6 mm² over 30 meters. Dedicated 20A circuit breaker.
For workshops without a three-phase line, electrical upgrade is necessary (typical cost 500-1,500 € for a new three-phase meter + wiring + circuit breaker). For workshops with a three-phase line but undersized cables, the cost is limited to dedicated wiring (200-500 €). Pre-purchase verification recommended: contact a qualified electrician to verify existing meter power availability and current cable cross-sections.
