INDEX MS22C-8

$700,000 - $950,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

7,000 RPM per spindle

Spindle Power

7.5 kW (10 hp) per spindle

number of spindles

bar capacity

22 mm (0.87 in)

turning length

80 mm (3.15 in)

number of axes

Up to 41 CNC axes

Overview

The INDEX MS22C-8 is an 8-spindle CNC multi-spindle automatic lathe for bar stock up to 22 mm diameter. Built by INDEX-Werke in Esslingen, Germany, the MS22C-8 adds two additional spindle positions compared to the standard 6-spindle MS22C, providing more stations for complex parts that require a high number of operations. Those extra two stations are the difference between producing a part complete in one cycle versus needing secondary operations — and in high-volume production, eliminating secondary ops translates directly into lower per-part cost and reduced handling.

The 8-spindle configuration gives shops up to 8 simultaneous cutting positions, each with independently driven spindles reaching 7,000 RPM and multiple cross slides and end-working units. The Siemens 840D sl control coordinates all axes, and INDEX's VirtualLine software handles offline programming with full simulation. With 8 spindles indexing simultaneously, the MS22C-8 produces 8 parts per drum rotation. On a 4-second cycle, that's 900 parts per hour — roughly 30% more output than the equivalent 6-spindle machine on parts that can use the additional stations productively.

The MS22C-8 is aimed at production shops running parts with many features — cross-holes, flats, threads, knurls, grooves — where 6 stations aren't enough to complete the part in one cycle. Typical applications include automotive fuel system components, hydraulic fittings with multiple cross-bored ports, and medical implant components requiring drilling, milling, and threading operations beyond what fits in 6 stations. New MS22C-8 machines are priced between $700,000 and $950,000. The premium over the 6-spindle MS22C is roughly $150,000-$200,000, justified by the additional output and reduced secondary operations.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Number Of Spindles	8
Bar Capacity	22 mm (0.87 in)
Max Spindle Speed	7,000 RPM per spindle
Turning Length	80 mm (3.15 in)
Number Of Axes	Up to 41 CNC axes
Cross Slides Per Spindle	Up to 3
End Working Units	Up to 2 per station
Back Working Spindle	Yes, with C-axis
Tool Positions	Up to 56 tool positions
CNC Control	Siemens 840D sl
Machine Weight	10,500 kg (23,149 lb)
Floor Space Required	Approx. 4.5 x 2.5 m (14.8 x 8.2 ft)
Spindle Motor Power	7.5 kW (10 hp) per spindle
Spindle Bore	25 mm
Guest Name	Dietary Restriction
David	None
Bob	None
Nancy	None
Mary	Vegetarian
Formula	Formula Output
Index	3
Goal	Formula
Find Marys Dietary Restriction	=INDEX(A1:D6, MATCH("Mary", A1:A6, 0), MATCH("Dietary Restriction", A1:D1, 0))
Find Who Is At Table Number 2	=INDEX(A1:D6, MATCH(2, D1:D6, 0), MATCH("Guest Name", A1:D1, 0))

Specifications sourced from index-group.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Eight spindles provide 33% more cutting stations than 6-spindle machines, enabling complete machining of complex parts with many features in a single cycle without secondary operations
Up to 56 tool positions across all stations give enormous flexibility to accommodate cross-drilling, milling, threading, grooving, and other operations that overwhelm 6-spindle machines
22 mm bar capacity covers a wide range of automotive, hydraulic, and medical components that are too large for 16 mm multi-spindles
Siemens 840D sl with VirtualLine offline programming enables full 3D simulation of all 8 spindle positions, catching collisions before they happen
Individually driven spindles at 7,000 RPM with 7.5 kW each provide enough power for aggressive cutting in stainless steel and alloy steels at production rates
INDEX's proven multi-spindle platform with decades of field history provides reliability and parts availability that newer market entrants cannot match

Limitations

At $700,000-$950,000, the MS22C-8 requires very high production volumes to justify — typically 200,000+ annual parts to achieve acceptable ROI within 3-5 years
Setup complexity with 8 spindle positions, multiple cross slides, and end-working units means 6-12 hours for a full changeover, limiting economic batch sizes to 15,000+ pieces
Larger footprint than 6-spindle machines at 4.5 x 2.5 m requires more floor space, which may be constrained in existing shop layouts
Finding and retaining setup technicians with 8-spindle multi-spindle experience is increasingly difficult as the workforce ages and fewer training programs exist
Higher consumable costs — 8 sets of tooling, inserts, and collets per setup increase tooling inventory and per-setup tooling expense

Best For

Automotive fuel system component manufacturers producing injector bodies, rail fittings, and valve housings with multiple cross-bored features requiring 8+ operations Hydraulic and pneumatic fitting manufacturers producing multi-port bodies, coupling components, and manifold fittings at volumes exceeding 100,000 pieces per year Medical device companies producing complex implant components like polyaxial screw heads that require drilling, milling, threading, and turning operations beyond 6-station capacity Connector and terminal manufacturers producing high-complexity electrical components with multiple features that cannot be completed in 6 stations High-volume contract shops seeking maximum parts-per-hour output on recurring production orders where the 8-spindle advantage drives competitive per-part pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

01 When should I choose the 8-spindle MS22C-8 over the 6-spindle MS22C?

Choose the 8-spindle version when your parts require more operations than 6 stations can accommodate in a single cycle. If a part needs 7-8 distinct operations (multiple turning diameters, cross-drilling, threading, grooving, milling, parting), the 8-spindle machine completes it in one cycle versus requiring secondary operations on a 6-spindle. The 8-spindle also makes sense when you need maximum hourly output — 8 parts per cycle versus 6 delivers 33% more throughput.

02 What does a new INDEX MS22C-8 cost?

New MS22C-8 machines are priced between $700,000 and $950,000 depending on tooling configuration and options. This is roughly $150,000-$200,000 more than the 6-spindle MS22C. The premium is justified when the additional stations eliminate secondary operations or when the 33% throughput increase generates enough revenue to pay for the difference. Used units are rare due to limited production numbers but trade between $400,000 and $650,000.

03 How does the MS22C-8 compare to running two 6-spindle machines?

Two 6-spindle machines cost more ($1.0-1.4M vs $700K-950K), require double the floor space and operators, but offer more flexibility since you can run two different parts simultaneously. The 8-spindle machine wins when you need all 8 stations for part complexity, or when floor space and labor are constrained. Two 6-spindle machines win when you have diverse part families and need changeover flexibility.