Powder coating and machining Machining. After the casting and trimming process the part is powder coated to improve the surface. Machining of our parts is done either dry or wet using oil as a coolant. To satisfy STIHL's specific requirements our machine design department builds in cooperation with renowned machine companies sophisticated high speed machining centers (HSC). Official quality certifications and our customer list, including names such as DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Porsche and Hilti, provide a testimony of the outstanding product quality coming from the STIHL die cast facility.

How do you organize the parts flow for the many components you need at the assembly lines? The machined components are delivered daily - just-in-time - to Waiblingen for assembly. Sometimes we have so much traffic that one could think STIHL is the center of the universe. This sounds a lot like high-tech. Which special processes do you use? We rely on our high-speed machining centers. Compared to conventional machines with high labor requirements they are faster and offer superior parts quality. Why do you have to machine magnesium castings anyway? To prevent leaking, for example where cylinder or crankcase are attached, and to provide the required engine performance we need to machine the castings, establishing precise flatness on all sealing surfaces. Are quality control inspections still necessary with these sophisticated machining processes? Quality is top priority at STIHL. Consequently, even with automated processes, each individual part is subjected to dimensional and visual inspections, both after casting and during machining.