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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 /2J68BHhEIu4DTY4BfhiVw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001044590-03-000074.txt : 20031001
<SEC-HEADER>0001044590-03-000074.hdr.sgml : 20031001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031001184815
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001044590-03-000074
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031001

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRANK STEPHEN E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001042345

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13279
		FILM NUMBER:		03921937

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		207 N GLENROY AVE
		CITY:			LOS ANGELOS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90049
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3104722477

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNOVA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001044590
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY (NO METALWORKING MACHINERY) [3550]
		IRS NUMBER:				954647021
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6001 36TH AVENUE WEST
		CITY:			EVERETT
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98203-1264
		BUSINESS PHONE:		425-265-2400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6001 36TH AVENUE WEST
		CITY:			EVERETT
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98203-1264
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-01</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001044590</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNOVA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001042345</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRANK STEPHEN E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1290</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.3379</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1290</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55478</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Average price of the Company's Common Stock during the quarter immediately preceding transaction date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The phantom stock units were accrued under the UNOVA, Inc. Director Stock Option and Fee Plan and are to be settled in a lump sum in the month of January following the year in which the reporting person terminates service as a Director.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Cathy D. Younger For: Stephen E. Frank</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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