Solutions for woodworking industry

Maximum flexibility. High throughput. Minimum equipping times.
First and foremost, woodworking and timber processing machines must have two key attributes: They must be efficient over the complete value-added chain – and they must be energy efficient. Only then are they cost-effective enough to be globally competitive – both today and in the future. Presently, the competition is characterized by the trend towards individualized mass production – and this will certainly remain the case in the up-and-coming years. Especially when it comes to this topic, digitalization with the Digital Enterprise solution portfolio offers a wealth of opportunities and value-added potential – but only if the software and hardware work seamlessly together. Here, you can read how your woodworking or timber processing company can enjoy a sustainable future; what innovative ideas there are for one of the oldest raw materials in the world – and how you can profit from the unique Siemens portfolio of drive and automation technology.

Compact machining centers for typical applications with midrange requirements on precision and functions
We have the right solution for your machine requirements.
As partner to the industry, Siemens offers the optimum solution for all types of woodworking and timber processing machines and for each processing step. Connected to the TIA Portal, you have a product portfolio that can be easily scaled at any time to address your specific application – if the requirements happen to change or even increase.
Our service portfolio ensures that our machine parts have high availability over a long period of time. In addition to outstanding quality, you obtain development and investment security that is unique in the market.
Reduce your engineering and commissioning time
Controlling the product machining while moving in a linear or feedthrough machine, e.g. edge banding machines:
Tracking and switching on/off tools while moving in a linear or feedthrough machine with the SIMATIC App.
Higher, faster, safer
In a sawmill, one thing is more important than anything else: speed. Which is why our extensive portfolio of controls and drives is the right choice. With our solutions, we ensure high processing speed to achieve a high cutting yield – making your sawmills significantly more productive.
Your advantage:
- High production rates through high-performance drive technology with SINAMICS S120
- Short braking time and energy recovery through regenerative feed
- Effective implementation of safety requirements – integrated fail safety of the drives, through the I/O up to the control systems
- Maximum protection of your application based on integrated know-how protection
- High degree of plant/system availability based on rugged products that are being continually developed and innovated
Model solution for a sawmill
The main objective of a sawmill is to achieve maximum output with a high degree of safety – and this can be perfectly realized based on this model. All the components optimally interoperate with one another – from the control level down to the field level.
With SINAMICS S7-1500F controllers, HMI Comfort panels, various SINAMICS converters as well as SIMOTICS standard and servo motors, you have a seamless solution providing maximum output and at the same time with a high degree of safety.
Components required
Application examples from the sector
Continuous particle board presses
When it comes to automating continuous particle board presses, highest cost and energy efficiency is of paramount importance. Our globally unique portfolio of energy-saving components can be precisely adapted to address your specific production processes – therefore providing the optimum solution for each and every press line.
Your advantage:
- High cost- and energy savings using new motor and system technologies that are more energy efficient
- Consistent particle board quality based on perfectly harmonized and coordinated automation solutions
- Highest precision and availability using a high-performance bus system (Profinet IRT)
- Straightforward and fast engineering using the TIA Portal
Main technical data:
- Press line up to 77 m long
- Adjustable press thickness
- Up to 1500 m³ wood/day
Model solution for continuous particle board presses
Components required
Highest precision as well as speed and safety
For veneer and plywood plants, what counts above all is speed, maximum precision and safety. That's why our comprehensive portfolio of controls and drives is the right choice. With our solutions, you will improve the productivity of your plant.
Your advantage:
- Cost saving integration of complex hydraulic application, with the open hydraulic toolbox SimaHydTO for SIMATIC S7-1500(T)
- High throughput speed thanks to high-performance drive technology with SINAMICS S120
- High system availability due to robust and continuously developed products
- Effective implementation of safety requirements – integrated fault tolerance from the drives to I/Os to the controllers
- Maximum protection of your application through integrated know-how protection
Main technical data:
- Accurate centering to ensure high yield even for small diameter blocks
- High processing and block handling speed
- Safety – In compliance with local regulations
- High availability
- Control of electric and of hydraulic axis
Model solution for veneer and plywood
We work with you to develop the optimal automation solution for your plant. With the SINAMICS S7-1500(T)(F) controller, the HMI Comfort Panels, various SINAMICS inverters and SIMOTICS standard and servo motors, you have a consistent set of all components that guarantees maximum output with high safety coverage.
Components required
Application examples from the sector
Equipment always in step
Your advantage:
- Full planning security with a high availability of spare parts going far beyond what is generally available
- High availability based on system-tested drive solutions that are harmonized with one another
- Short time-to-market through series commissioning in the TIA Portal
Main technical data:
- Typical heating plate size 13 m x 2.5 m
- Performance of up to 260 cycles per hour
- Press pressure of 1000 N/cm²
Model solution for a short-cycle press
Components required
Full bandwidth
When it comes to wide belt sanders, efficiency and cost effectiveness have utmost priority – requirements that can be optimally satisfied using our scalable portfolio. With our systems, you can always fully depend on high availability and productivity.
Your advantage:
- Simple implementation of innovative operating concepts through the TIA Portal
- Short cycle times by employing a drive system with high dynamic performance
- Security of investment in the future by securing product availability and comprehensive support over many years
- High degree of cost effectiveness of your machines as the product portfolio can be scaled
Main technical data:
- Typical feed velocities 2.5 – 13 m/min
- Sanding unit, typically 22 kW
Model solution for wide belt sanders
Components required
Application examples from the sector
The woodworking multi-talent
Panel saws are used both in industry as well as in the trades – and the associated machine concepts differ correspondingly. No matter what your specific requirements actually are: With our portfolio, you are optimally equipped to address the highest demands.
Your advantage:
- High productivity through short spindle acceleration and braking times based on innovative software functions
- Modular and flexible machinery construction through openness in the TIA Portal, handling options and scalable hardware
- Price-sensitive solutions through scalable systems
Model solution for a panel saw
Components required
All components perfectly coordinated
Dowel hole drilling machines place high requirements on automation solutions. Our innovative solutions for automatic drilling machines mean that each and every format is reliably handled. These solutions are created through the perfect interaction between our control systems, converters, motors and software.
Your advantage:
- High degree of compactness through innovative motor and drive technology as well as a reduction in the switchgear systems employed.
- Fast positioning change using high cycle rates of the control and high-speed drives
- Extremely high degree of safety using extended safety functions, e.g. safe position or override of the safe speed via PROFIsafe
Main technical data:
- Typical machining heights of up to 1.5 m
- Milling spindle from 5.5 - 9 kW
- Milling speed of 24,000 revolutions per minute
- Typical machine length of 6 - 10 m
Model solution for a dowel hole drilling machine
Together with you, we develop the optimum automation solution for automatic drilling machines. In this model solution, we are using the SINUMERIK 808D CNC system, SINAMICS V70 converters and SIMOTICS S servomotors.
All these components create a cost-effective solution that perfectly addresses the requirements of automatic drilling machines.
Components required
The best edge is invisible
What sets wood apart from other materials is its attractive optics. Edge banders must operate perfectly in order that the finished product satisfies even the highest aesthetic demands. Our precise motion control and drive systems form the basis for outstanding processing quality – to achieve an invisible joint or seam.
Your advantage:
- High throughput by means of fast (1 µs) and high precision switching of the cams
- Standard application "Line Motion Control"
Control of the processing stations (join, glue edge, trim, flush mill, buffing) - Simple implementation of innovative operating concepts through the TIA Portal
- Precise adjustment of the formats using servo technology and motion control
Model solution for edge banders
Components required
Top quality – whether in continuous motion or individual piece
Companies involved in profiling are challenged with being able to profitably produce even the smallest batch sizes. This is the reason that our solutions for profiling machines ensure the highest degree of flexibility – from engineering through operator friendliness of the machine control up to precise profiling.
Your advantage:
- Flexible machinery construction using an open engineering, scalable hardware and option handling from simple to complex profiling tasks
- Customer-friendly support when operating and programming
- High precision and machining speed through highly dynamic drive system
- High degree of compactness through innovative motor and drive technology as well as a reduction in the switchgear systems employed.
- Condition Monitoring System (CMS) for temperature and vibration monitoring
Model solution for a profiling machine
Components required
The ultimate discipline for woodworking and timber processing
Irrespective of whether 3-axis or 5-axis machining centers: You can enjoy all the benefits of leading-edge technology with our drive and automation solutions. Our scalable hardware and software interoperate perfectly with one another to achieve first-class results – for stationary as well as complex machining operations.
Your advantage:
- Maximum flexibility through a modular design
- High throughput for repeat parts using a high-performance CNC control with up to 300 % overload capability
- Short spindle acceleration and braking times independent of the tool through innovative software functions
- Extreme safety using extended safety functions, e.g. safe position or override of the safe speed via PROFIsafe
Main technical data:
- Typical spindle speeds of 24,000 revolutions/minute
- Typical milling spindle power rating of 7.5 kW (up to 30 kW in the window domain)
Model solution for a CNC machining center
Here you can see, as example, a high-end automation solution for 5-axis machining centers, which places extreme requirements on the overall system. The fastest possible closed-loop control with the highest machining quality must be guaranteed in an open system.
This is possible by using the optimum combination of control, converter and servomotor. Based on our solution, high machine availability, short equipping times, machine stiffness, high availability and the best machine-dynamic attributes can be optimally achieved. The same also applies to 3-axis machining centers.
Components required
Application examples from the sector
Compact machining centers for typical applications with mid range requirements on precision and functions
Flexible selection of (up to 8) NC axes and (up to 20) PLC axes with Standard Motion Control functionality
Your advantage:
- All-in-one NC, PLC, HMI, Windows IPC
- Proven SINUMERIK NCK with newest SIMATIC S7-1500 (F)
- Open interface for custom-made HMI solutions
- Windows 10 for optional CAD/CAM program directly on the machine
- Option for additional software and individual optimization programs - Safety Integrated
- Safety for the operator and the machine
- Enhanced versatility and reduced space requirements in the control cabinet
Main technical data:
- Multi-axis NC interpolation
- Auxiliary axes such as tool changer, table support
- 1 to 2 spindles and channels (processes)
Example configuration: 3 NC axes with SINAMICS S210
Components required
The world's largest portfolio for all types of woodworking and timber processing machines
You require system-based automation to guarantee efficiency in your production process. This means: All components must interact perfectly with one another. The optimum strategy is to select a seamlessly integrated portfolio from one supplier. We provide system-tested products for all applications that have high long-term availability.
Digitalization in machine building and plant engineering
Companies in discrete and process industries increasingly implement digitalization in order to gain competitive advantages. This affects the requirements that machine builders and plant engineers have to meet. We’ll show how you can integrate digitalization into you production to work faster, more flexible and more customized.