Key Visual SINUMERIK Story

The SINUMERIK Story – Innovation since 1960

Looking back on over 60 years of success, allow us to introduce you to people who share their personal past, present and future with SINUMERIK.
talking digital industries cover

From punched tape to the digital twin

In this Deep Dive episode moderator Christine Brunner explores the history and the future of Computerized Numerical Controls. For 60 years the Siemens SINUMERIK CNC has made production easier, faster and more flexible. For this episode Christine is joined by CNC-experts Ankita Kambale and Karsten Schwarz. Together they discuss how NC programs were coded into punched tapes and how the SINUMERIK evolved into a digital native. Tune in to the podcast and listen how the digital twin will shape the future of the machine tool industry.

Podcast 'Talking Digital Industries'

Listen to the podcast

Looking back

Development and triumph of SINUMERIK

Achievements, challenges and partnerships
Key visual SINUMERIK History

Immerse yourself in six decades of Siemens CNC. A success story told by all those who have witnessed and helped to shape it, or who still do so to this day. Colleagues, former employees and customers talk about the successes, obstacles and partnerships that shaped SINUMERIK then as now. Happy Birthday, SINUMERIK! 

Stories since 1960

How SINUMERIK conquered new continents

Together Reinhold Schwulera and Bruce Rowley shared a common path leading from the SINUMERIK 8 to SINUMERIK ONE.
To be honest, you sometimes make decisions like that in your life without being aware of the implications.
Bruce Rowley, Founder of CNC Design Australia
Key visual Schwulera Rowley Story
Germany meets Australia

This way to the story

More stories

Key Visual Pfeiffer Schwarz Story

Integrating SINUMERIK into day-to-day workshop life

"Contact with Karsten Schwarz led to us becoming a kind of beta tester."

Andreas Pfeiffer, Managing Director of W. Andreas Pfeiffer - Maschinen- und Apparatebau

What a rhino has to do with SINUMERIK
Pressefoto zeigt eine dreidimensionale Bahnsteuerung der SINUMERIK am Modell einer Fräsmaschine

The start of SINUMERIK - a new era of precision

Behind every success story there is always an idea. Development of the Siemens numerical control system began in the 1950s with the idea of an "automatic machine tool control".

Join us as we look for clues
Looking for clues

From the first Siemens NC control system to the 10,000th SINUMERIK

"laboratory" public presentation of a numerical control system
Following the first "laboratory" public presentation of a numerical control system from Siemens in the fall of 1960, the first name-defining "SINUMERIK" was launched in 1964. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
cylindrical grinding machine with SINUMERIK S
In 1965 the deployment of a cylindrical grinding machine with SINUMERIK S was documented. The point-to-point and straight-cut control system could be composed of functional units as required. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
SINUMERIK designed for operation of nibbling machines
Siemens gradually expanded the functional scope of SINUMERIK. For example, the SINUMERIK 381 was designed for operation of nibbling machines. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
three-dimensional continuous-path SINUMERIK control on a milling machine model
The numerical control system meant a new division of labor for both humans and machines. The undated press photo shows a three-dimensional continuous-path SINUMERIK control on a milling machine model. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
User interface of the SINUMERIK System 500
User interface of the SINUMERIK System 500. In 1973, the first CNC continuous-path control SINUMERIK 580 was launched in this series for milling and double-slide turning machines as well as machining centers. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
SINUMERIK Sprint T for turning
Model differentiation continues. The SINUMERIK Sprint series (here: Sprint T for turning, 1977) is the "first step in the automation" of machine tools, according to the trade fair brochure. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
celebrations 10,000 in the SIEMENS-Gerätewerk Erlangen produced SINUMERIK
The 10,000th SINUMERIK produced at the Siemens Electronics Manufacturing Plant in Erlangen comes from the 8 series. A display has now been integrated into the user interface of the flexible CNC continuous-path control system. (Source: Siemens Historical Institute)
What the future holds

The story continues

Our customers have relied on our experience in machine tool automation for 60 years.
Breton SpA
Italy

Getting better results quicker

  • Realistic simulation of machining processes

  • Using production data to predict incidents

  • Halving the time-to-market

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Siemens Electric Motor Plant
Siemens Electric Motor Plant
Bad Neustadt an der Saale | Germany

Cutting with more feeling

  • ACM uses real-time tool cutting data to identify overload situations and reduce feedrate

  • ACM allows an optimum feed value via a corresponding setting and increases the cutting rate, leading to higher productivity

  • Identifies blunt or faulty tools to prevent tool breakage

More information
RAMPF Production Systems
Germany

SINUMERIK MC – the open CNC control

  • RAMPF uses SINUMERIK MC for flexibility by combining the NC kernel, PLC and Windows operating system

  • Due to the openness of the CNC system, the user interface was easy and flexible to integrate.

  • Thanks to the PC-based CNC system, the 3-axis dosing system enables the implementation of a wide range of automation tasks

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Birthday wishes

Into the future with SINUMERIK

Whishes of our customers, partners and employees for the future of SINUMERIK.
Newton Quote Display | Siemens AG
cnc operators

Don't you wish there was a friendly, helpful place with practical knowledge for machining technology, job shop and production planning?

There is. It's called CNC4You – where you can find...

  • Tips, tricks, videos
  • Education & training
  • Digitalization & technology trends
  • Experience & knowledge from users like you
  • Practical experience with a variety of workpieces
  • Literature, manuals & more for download

Visit the CNC4You portal

Learn more

Additional information about SINUMERIK CNC for machine tools

Product brochures

Catalogs

Flyers and articles

SINUMERIK Support USA

CNC4You site

  • Visit

    CNC practical knowledge for production, job shop and production planning

SINUMERIK online forum

SINUMERIK US video library

Tell your story!

Were you around when the first Siemens NC system revolutionized machining technology? Were you involved in the further development of SINUMERIK? In 2020, we remember six decades of our success story. We are looking for protagonists who will let us share their personal past, present and future with SINUMERIK. What are your memories? Help us tell the whole SINUMERIK story.

Karsten Schwarz and Andreas Pfeiffer at W. Andreas Pfeiffer Maschinen- und Apparatebau
Email us...

Your SINUMERIK story!

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