Waiblingen, 11/30/2020 | Company press release

The STIHL MS 400 C-M is the world’s first chainsaw with a magnesium piston. The component and the production process specially developed for it have now been recognized by the International Magnesium Association (IMA) and presented with the prestigious Award of Excellence 2020. The magnesium piston was the winner in the Commercial (non-automotive) Cast Product or Process category. It is produced via serial die casting and meets very high quality standards in terms of temperature resistance, pores and blowholes, as well as wear and strength properties. Hartmut Fischer, Managing Director of STIHL Magnesium Die Casting in Weinsheim, is proud of the award: “At STIHL, we have more than 60 years’ experience working with magnesium and fabricating it. We are setting new benchmarks in development and production by using a magnesium piston in a chainsaw for the first time. Along with the consistent lightweight design, this is in no small part why we have succeeded in considerably improving the power-to-weight ratio of the STIHL MS 400 C-M. This again reinforces our position as a technology leader.”

The panel, made up of international experts, evaluates the “unique, novel and creative application of magnesium” and “improvements over current practice”. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the award ceremony was a virtual event this year. The innovative technology already received top prize in the “Magnesium components” category at the Euroguss 2020 industry trade fair. 

Lightweight and powerful: The STIHL MS 400 C-M

Thanks to the use of magnesium and consistent lightweight design, the new STIHL MS 400 C-M has an engine weight of just 5.8 kg and therefore an incredible power-to-weight ratio of 1.5 kg per kilowatt. The new component also gives the machine an enormous maximum speed of up to 14,000 rpm, which speeds up delimbing in particular. This first-rate performance of the MS 400 C-M offers professionals what they want from a forestry tool: High performance with low weight. The MS 400 C-M will be on the market in Germany at the start of 2021.

STIHL Magnesium Die Casting: One of Europe’s largest die casting plants

STIHL Magnesium Die Casting in Weinsheim was founded in 1971. Today, it is one of the largest and most advanced magnesium die casting plants in Europe. With its high-quality output, the plant is an important part of the international STIHL manufacturing network. It currently employs 800 people in the Eifel region and produces high-quality magnesium components not only for chainsaws and power tools but also for the automotive, motorcycle, bicycle, electronics and medical technology industries. Roughly 25 percent of its revenue is from die casting projects for external customers. The plant has grown consistently over the past few years, and a new production logistics facility was added in July 2020.

About the International Magnesium Association (IMA)

Founded in 1943, the mission of the International Magnesium Association (IMA) is to promote the use of magnesium and encourage innovate applications of this versatile metal. The IMA’s members consist of primary producers of the metal, recyclers, foundries, fabricators, end users and suppliers. Since 1962, the IMA has hosted an annual awards program to recognize companies demonstrating outstanding examples of uses for magnesium. More information is available at www.intlmag.org

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