INDEX MS22C

The INDEX MS22C is a six-spindle CNC multi-spindle automatic lathe designed for high-volume production of precision turned parts up to 22 mm bar diameter. Built in Esslingen, Germany, the MS22C represents the intersection of Swiss watchmaking precision and German production engineering — six synchronized hollow spindles running simultaneously, each producing a different operation on the same part, with cycle times measured in seconds per piece.

Each of the six spindles sits on a 230 mm pitch circle diameter and reaches up to 10,000 RPM with 15 kW of power and 18 Nm of torque. The 110 mm chuck diameter accommodates standard collet systems for bar stock from 3 mm to 22 mm. Axis travels of 62 mm in X and 85 mm in Z on the main tool carriers, plus two swivel synchronous spindles with 120 mm Z-travel and 132° swiveling angle, give the machine enough flexibility to produce complex parts with cross-drilling, threading, knurling, and form turning operations.

The MS22C supports up to 11 tool carriers with X/Y/Z travels of 62/±12/85 mm, meaning every spindle position can perform multiple operations simultaneously. The machine runs on the INDEX C200-4D control (Siemens SINUMERIK 840D platform), which handles the complex synchronization of six spindles, multiple tool carriers, and part transfer operations. At approximately 6,500 kg and dimensions of 3,200 x 1,800 x 2,850 mm, the MS22C has a compact footprint relative to its output capacity.

The economics of a multi-spindle CNC are compelling but require volume to justify. Where a single-spindle CNC lathe produces one part per cycle, the MS22C produces one part per index — meaning it completes a part every time the spindle drum indexes, which can be every 3-8 seconds depending on the longest operation. On a part that takes 30 seconds on a single-spindle machine, the MS22C might cycle at 6 seconds per piece — a 5:1 productivity advantage. This makes it the machine of choice for automotive fasteners, medical bone screws, hydraulic fittings, electronic connectors, and any turned part running in quantities of 100,000+ per year. Compared to cam-operated multi-spindles (Schutte, Gildemeister), the CNC MS22C offers dramatically faster changeover and can handle complex geometries that cam machines simply cannot produce.