Stama MC 422/Twin

$500,000 - $800,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

X Travel

420 mm per station (840 mm combined)

Y Travel

350 mm (13.8 in)

Z Travel

330 mm (13 in)

Max Spindle

15,000 RPM

Spindle Taper

HSK-A50

Tool Capacity

2 × 32 (64 total)

Overview

The Stama MC 422/Twin is a twin-spindle vertical machining center engineered for high-volume production of small-to-medium automotive and precision parts. Built at Stama's Schlierbach facility in Germany, the MC 422/Twin follows the twin-spindle philosophy that has defined Stama's product line for decades: two identical machining units operating simultaneously on identical workpieces, doubling throughput per machine footprint versus single-spindle alternatives. The 422 designation denotes the machine's mid-range capacity within the Stama VMC family, positioned between the compact MC 326 and the larger MC 531 platforms.

The MC 422/Twin mounts two 4-axis machining units — X, Y, Z, and C (spindle orientation) — on a shared structural bridge. Each spindle delivers 15,000 RPM with HSK-A50 tooling and 22 kW of power, providing excellent cutting performance for aluminum, cast iron, and low-carbon steel components typical of automotive powertrain and structural applications. The twin magazine system provides 2 × 32 tool positions, allowing complex multi-operation parts to be produced in a single clamping without tool changes interrupting the synchronized twin cycle.

For automotive production applications, the MC 422/Twin is typically equipped with a twin-pallet or twin-shuttle workholding system that allows one set of parts to be loaded and unloaded by the operator or robot while the other set is being machined. This parallel load/unload eliminates idle spindle time. Integration with Fanuc or Siemens controls enables DNC production scheduling and in-process gauging feedback for automatic tool wear compensation — critical for automotive tolerance requirements.

The MC 422/Twin competes with the Chiron FZ 12 S five axis twin and DMG Mori DMP 70 Twin in the automotive production VMC segment. Stama's twin-spindle heritage and German build quality position the machine for European and North American automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers seeking predictable, high-uptime production output.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Spindle Count	2 (twin independent units)
X-Axis Travel	420 mm per station (840 mm combined)
Y-Axis Travel	350 mm (13.8 in)
Z-Axis Travel	330 mm (13 in)
Max Spindle Speed	15,000 RPM
Spindle Taper	HSK-A50
Spindle Motor Power	2 × 22 kW (2 × 29.5 hp)
Spindle Torque Max	2 × 95 Nm (2 × 70 ft-lb)
Rapid Traverse Rate	60 m/min (2,362 ipm)
Tool Capacity	2 × 32 (64 total)
Workpiece Size Max	250 × 250 × 250 mm per station
Table Load Max	150 kg per station
Positioning Accuracy	±0.004 mm
CNC Control	Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl or Fanuc 31i-B

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Twin-spindle simultaneous machining doubles effective part output per machine hour — a single MC 422/Twin replaces two single-spindle VMCs in terms of throughput while requiring only one operator and one machine footprint
15,000 RPM HSK-A50 spindles provide high cutting speeds for aluminum and cast iron automotive components, reducing cycle times on powertrain covers, brackets, and housings
2 × 32 tool magazine gives ample capacity for complex multi-operation automotive families without tool changes mid-cycle, protecting throughput consistency
Chiron Group global service network covers Europe, North America, and Asia — critical for automotive suppliers who cannot tolerate extended machine downtime
Compact twin-footprint design reduces plant floor area compared to equivalent capacity using two separate VMCs, lowering the cost of additional production capacity

Limitations

Both spindles must run the same program on identical parts — production families with mixed part numbers or non-identical fixturing cannot exploit the twin-spindle advantage
The 250 × 250 × 250 mm work envelope per station limits the MC 422/Twin to small-to-medium parts; larger automotive structural components require the MC 531 or MT 733 platforms
High capital cost relative to a single-spindle VMC requires clear volume forecasting to justify — a twin-spindle investment that underutilizes the second spindle loses its cost-per-part logic

Best For

Automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers producing small precision parts — valve bodies, pump covers, sensor housings, and ABS components — in high volumes requiring tight tolerances Hydraulic and pneumatic component manufacturers machining small complex bodies and manifolds in aluminum or cast iron where twin throughput pays for itself rapidly Contract manufacturers running large production orders on uniform part families where fixture commonality and identical NC programs make twin-spindle operation straightforward Medical device and precision instrument manufacturers producing small symmetric components where the twin-spindle approach provides a production-cost advantage over 5-axis alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the Stama MC 422/Twin differ from the larger MC 531/Twin?

The MC 422/Twin is a 4-axis twin-spindle machine with X/Y/Z linear axes plus C-axis spindle orientation per station. The MC 531/Twin adds a full A-axis swivel to each unit for simultaneous 5-axis contouring capability. The MC 422/Twin is optimized for automotive 4-axis production parts at lower investment, while the MC 531/Twin targets complex 5-axis aerospace and medical components that require simultaneous 5-axis interpolation. Work envelopes differ as well: the 422 handles up to 250 × 250 × 250 mm per station, while the 531 extends to 300 × 300 × 300 mm.

02 Can the MC 422/Twin run different part programs on each spindle independently?

No. The twin-spindle model is built around synchronized parallel operation — both spindles execute the same NC program simultaneously on identical parts. If your production requires running different parts on each spindle, a standard single-spindle VMC or a flexible pallet machine would be more appropriate. The MC 422/Twin's throughput advantage applies only to families of identical or near-identical parts.

03 What automation options are available for the MC 422/Twin?

Stama and Chiron Group offer several automation packages: twin-station gantry loaders for fast synchronized load/unload, 6-axis robot cells (Fanuc or KUKA) for flexible part handling, and integrated pallet shuttle systems for lights-out operation. The automation interface is designed to load and unload both stations simultaneously to preserve the twin-spindle productivity cycle. Stama's applications team configures the automation package at order time based on part geometry and target takt time.

04 What workpiece materials does the MC 422/Twin handle best?

The MC 422/Twin is optimized for aluminum, cast aluminum, and gray/ductile cast iron — the materials that dominate automotive powertrain production. The 15,000 RPM spindle speed and HSK-A50 tooling provide excellent surface feet per minute for aluminum and cast iron at automotive production feed rates. Low-carbon steel, stainless steel, and brass are all machinable at reduced parameters. Hardened steel and titanium are possible in lighter cuts.

05 How does Stama's after-sales support work in North America?

Stama operates under the Chiron Group umbrella, which maintains service and applications support in North America through Chiron America. Stama/Chiron service engineers are based in the United States and provide on-site response, phone and remote support, and applications assistance. Spare parts are stocked regionally to minimize downtime for North American automotive production customers where machine uptime directly affects delivery commitments.