KraussMaffei MC3 / MC4 refit: controller replacement for Dutch injection moulders
KraussMaffei is not an orphan OEM. The Parsdorf factory still produces new machines. But the ownership transfer to ChemChina in 2016 and the relocation from the Allach complex to Parsdorf in 2023 have disrupted Benelux service logistics. Dutch customers report lead times of 6-12 weeks for MC3/MC4 spare parts versus 2-3 weeks before 2016.
KraussMaffei MC3 and MC4 controls run on Windows XP/7 embedded with a Siemens S7 PLC backbone. After the ChemChina acquisition in 2016 and production relocation to Parsdorf in 2023, lead times for Benelux customers have risen to 6-12 weeks. GCG migrates your MC3/MC4 control to B&R X20 with a native mapp View HMI, with full SELOGICA parameter migration and CE conformity retained.
KraussMaffei MC series: lifecycle and support
| Controller | Era | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MC3 | ~2000-2010 | EOL: Windows XP embedded, S7-315 parts critical |
| MC4 | 2010-2018 | Manufacturer support tapering. Plan now |
| MC5 | 2018-heden | Actively supported by KraussMaffei (service uncertain after ownership change) |
MC3/MC4 architecture: what you need to know
MC3: Windows XP + S7-315
The MC3 runs on Windows XP Embedded (end-of-support 2014) with a Siemens S7-315 PLC via Profibus. Software updates are no longer available. Defective Windows installations cannot be restored via KraussMaffei. The Profibus cards are most vulnerable.
MC4: Windows 7 + S7-317 + WinCC
The MC4 uses Windows 7 Embedded (end-of-support 2020) with S7-317/319 and WinCC HMI via Profinet. Parsdorf still supplies parts but lead times are long. WinCC licences for MC4 are not separately transferable in a control replacement.
Ownership chain: service risk
KraussMaffei was acquired by ChemChina in 2016 for ~EUR 925M. The Parsdorf relocation in 2023 broke the short lines to the Benelux service network. GCG offers independent migration. The quality of your machine support does not depend on Chinese ownership decisions.
SELOGICA to mapp View: native migration
GCG migrates all SELOGICA parameter sets and builds the mapp View HMI with an interface comparable to the SELOGICA logic layout. Operators do not need to relearn. The parameter structure remains recognisable. Euromap 67/77 out of the box.
Dutch installed base: KM cluster in Brabant and Gelderland
The Netherlands has an above-average concentration of KraussMaffei machines in manufacturing. KraussMaffei was until 2016 the standard choice for medium and large injection moulding machines in the Benelux automotive and consumer market. The MC3/MC4 generation (2000-2018) is now facing collective replacement, partly due to the deteriorated aftermarket.
From MC3/MC4 to B&R X20 + mapp View
B&R X20 / Automation Studio + Euromap 67/77 + mapp View HMI (SELOGICA-stijl parameterindeling)
SELOGICA export & Profibus scan
Export all SELOGICA parameter sets. Record and analyse Profibus/Profinet network traffic.
Wiring audit & axis inventory
Full inventory of sensors, actuators, servo axes and robot coupling (Euromap 67).
B&R engineering & FAT
Application programme in Automation Studio, mapp View HMI with SELOGICA-style, FAT in Eindhoven.
SAT & moulding qualification
Commissioning production floor, 5 reference products, operators trained. Downtime: 48-72 hours.
3-5 KraussMaffei machines together: 20-35% cost reduction
GCG offers Dutch injection moulders a cohort approach: 3-5 companies with similar KraussMaffei MC3/MC4 machines clustered into a 6-12 month migration programme. The SELOGICA parameter migration logic and B&R application structure are developed once and reused for all machines in the cohort.
Register for next cohort →Frequently asked questions
Can my KraussMaffei MC4 be repaired?
Yes, KraussMaffei is not bankrupt and still supplies MC4 parts. The risk lies in lead times (6-12 weeks from Parsdorf) and uncertainty about the service organisation after the ChemChina ownership transition. GCG recommends migration when the MC4 Windows installation becomes unstable or when a second HMI failure occurs.
Are my SELOGICA recipes preserved after migration?
Yes, GCG exports all SELOGICA parameter sets via the MC export function before migration starts. The new mapp View HMI imports the parameter sets and retains the same parameter structure. Operators accustomed to SELOGICA receive training on the new system as part of the SAT.
Does the machine run during the refit?
No, downtime is 48-72 hours for a standard KraussMaffei CX/GX/MX machine. For KraussMaffei GX series with integrated robot cell this can be 72-96 hours. GCG plans the downtime in consultation with production scheduling, for Brabant automotive suppliers preferably in a weekend window.
What does a KraussMaffei MC3/MC4 refit cost?
Costs depend on the machine series (CX, GX, MX), number of axes, I/O scope and presence of a robot interface (Euromap 67/77). Indicative range for a single KraussMaffei MC3/MC4: EUR 18,000-36,000. For a cohort of 3-5 similar machines this drops by 20-35%.