Mikron Launches Multistar Next CNC Rotary Transfer Machine for High-Volume, Flexible Precision Manufacturing!
Mikron has introduced the Multistar Next rotary transfer machine at IMTS 2026, unveiling a next-generation CNC manufacturing platform designed to combine the productivity of traditional rotary transfer machines with the flexibility of modern CNC technology. Developed for manufacturers producing electrical connectors and other high-precision components, the Multistar Next enables higher production volumes, tighter machining tolerances, and greater product diversity while reducing cost per component. The new machine addresses the growing demand for flexible high-volume manufacturing, allowing manufacturers to respond more efficiently to increasingly complex product portfolios and shorter production runs.
The launch of the Multistar Next reflects the changing landscape of precision manufacturing, where companies are expected to deliver a wider variety of components without compromising productivity or quality. Industries such as electronics, automotive, telecommunications, aerospace, medical devices, and electrical engineering continue to introduce increasingly sophisticated connector designs, creating demand for manufacturing systems capable of handling frequent product changes while maintaining high production speeds. Traditional mechanically driven rotary transfer machines have long been recognised for their exceptional throughput, but their limited flexibility has become a challenge as manufacturers shift towards more diverse production requirements.
To overcome these limitations, Mikron has developed the Multistar Next with full CNC control integrated throughout the machine. Unlike conventional rotary transfer systems that rely primarily on mechanical movements, the new platform incorporates CNC control across every machining station as well as the rotary indexing table. This advanced control architecture allows manufacturers to program, adjust, and optimise machining operations with significantly greater flexibility while maintaining the high output levels associated with rotary transfer technology.
One of the key advantages of the Multistar Next is its modular machine design. Manufacturers can configure the system with between eight and twenty-four machining stations depending on production requirements and component complexity. This scalable architecture enables the machine to accommodate a wide variety of manufacturing processes while allowing customers to expand capabilities as production demands evolve. The modular configuration also provides greater flexibility when integrating additional machining operations or adapting the machine for new product families.
Despite its enhanced flexibility, the Multistar Next continues to deliver exceptionally high production performance. The machine is capable of producing up to 50 finished components per minute in a single production cycle, making it well suited for high-volume manufacturing applications where productivity and consistency are essential. High-speed production combined with advanced CNC control enables manufacturers to increase throughput while maintaining tight dimensional tolerances and repeatable machining quality.
The machine has been engineered with powerful machining units capable of supporting a broad range of precision manufacturing operations. According to Mikron, these high-performance working units provide virtually unlimited machining capability, enabling manufacturers to perform multiple operations within a single machine while maintaining process stability and production efficiency. The ability to consolidate machining processes helps reduce cycle times, minimise workpiece handling, and improve overall manufacturing productivity.
To accommodate different component geometries, the Multistar Next offers multiple clamping solutions that can be tailored to various workpiece types. Flexible workholding options allow manufacturers to machine both cylindrical and non-cylindrical components with high levels of accuracy while maintaining secure positioning throughout the machining process. This versatility enables the machine to support a broader range of applications compared with conventional transfer systems.
The machine is capable of processing cylindrical components up to 14 millimetres in diameter and 75 millimetres in length, while square workpieces can measure up to 30 × 30 × 30 millimetres. These specifications make the Multistar Next particularly suitable for manufacturing electrical connectors, precision mechanical components, electronic parts, and other small high-accuracy products used across multiple industrial sectors.
Although designed for high-volume production, the Multistar Next maintains a compact footprint, allowing manufacturers to maximise production capacity without requiring excessive factory floor space. Efficient use of manufacturing space has become increasingly important as companies seek to increase output while minimising facility expansion costs. The compact machine design enables greater production density while simplifying factory layout planning.
Digitalisation is another major aspect of the Multistar Next platform. The machine incorporates integrated digital technologies that support intelligent manufacturing and improved operational efficiency. Advanced monitoring and control functions enable manufacturers to optimise machine performance, improve production visibility, and streamline maintenance activities. In addition, the system incorporates energy-saving features designed to reduce power consumption and improve overall manufacturing sustainability, supporting the growing industry focus on environmentally responsible production.
For many years, mechanically driven rotary transfer machines have been the preferred solution for large-scale connector manufacturing because of their exceptional production speed. However, as product portfolios have expanded and batch sizes have become increasingly fragmented, manufacturers require equipment capable of balancing productivity with flexibility. Mikron developed the Multistar Next specifically to meet these evolving market demands by combining the throughput advantages of rotary transfer technology with the programmability and adaptability of full CNC control.
The result is a manufacturing platform capable of handling a wider variety of components while maintaining the high output levels required for competitive mass production. Manufacturers can rapidly adapt machining programs to accommodate new products, optimise production processes, and respond more effectively to changing customer requirements without sacrificing production efficiency.
With the introduction of the Multistar Next at IMTS 2026, Mikron continues to strengthen its portfolio of advanced manufacturing technologies for precision component production. By integrating full CNC control, modular machine architecture, high-speed production capability, intelligent digital features, and flexible workholding solutions into a single platform, the Multistar Next provides manufacturers with a future-ready solution for producing high-quality precision components while improving productivity, reducing manufacturing costs, and supporting increasingly diverse production requirements.
