Machine base for use in a machining system, the machine base defining an x,y,z-coordinate system and comprising - at least one work piece holder device receiving section provided with a work piece holder device interface comprising aligning means adapted for receiving a work piece holder device aligned along a z-axis of the coordinate system , - at least one first machining unit receiving section provided with a first machining unit interface adapted for receiving a first machining unit comprising a first tool holder interface , - at least one second machining unit receiving section provided with a second machining unit interface adapted for receiving a second machining unit comprising a second tool holder interface , - the first machining unit interface being arranged at a first side of and at a distance from the work piece holder device interface and such that the first tool holder interface is movable at least along the x- or y-axis, - the second machining unit interface being arranged at a second side of and at a distance from the work piece holder device interface and such that the second tool holder interface is movable at least along the x- or y-axis, the first side opposing the second side, and - at least one work piece transfer unit receiving section provided with a transfer unit interface adapted for receiving a work piece transfer unit , - the work piece holder device interface defining an x-z-plane, the x-z-plane running horizontally, - the first machining unit interface running parallel to the x-z-plane and adapted for receiving the first machining unit , and - the second machining unit interface running parallel to the x-z-plane and adapted for receiving the second machining unit , characterized in that - the first machining unit interface is arranged above the holder device interface and facing upwards and/or - the second machining unit interface is arranged below the holder device interface and facing downwards. - at least one work piece holder device receiving section provided with a work piece holder device interface comprising aligning means adapted for receiving a work piece holder device aligned along a z-axis of the coordinate system , - at least one first machining unit receiving section provided with a first machining unit interface adapted for receiving a first machining unit comprising a first tool holder interface , - at least one second machining unit receiving section provided with a second machining unit interface adapted for receiving a second machining unit comprising a second tool holder interface , - the first machining unit interface being arranged at a first side of and at a distance from the work piece holder device interface and such that the first tool holder interface is movable at least along the x- or y-axis, - the second machining unit interface being arranged at a second side of and at a distance from the work piece holder device interface and such that the second tool holder interface is movable at least along the x- or y-axis, the first side opposing the second side, and - at least one work piece transfer unit receiving section provided with a transfer unit interface adapted for receiving a work piece transfer unit , - the work piece holder device interface defining an x-z-plane, the x-z-plane running horizontally, - the first machining unit interface running parallel to the x-z-plane and adapted for receiving the first machining unit , and - the second machining unit interface running parallel to the x-z-plane and adapted for receiving the second machining unit , - the first machining unit interface is arranged above the holder device interface and facing upwards and/or - the second machining unit interface is arranged below the holder device interface and facing downwards. <EOS>