Student opens doors to CNC Innovation with Digital Twin

Ruben Mees, a bachelor's student in Industrial Automation at Vives University of Applied Sciences, investigated how an existing CNC lathe with powered tooling could be extended with an additional axis as part of his SIA program at automation specialist Cadcamatic. He demonstrated the technical feasibility and laid the groundwork for a potentially cost-effective and smooth rollout with the customer. At the same time, Cadcamatic is building a new bridge between the academic world and industry through this project, directly connecting research and practical application.

Cadcamatic is a Belgian specialist in industrial automation and prototype development. The company develops unique machines and consistently relies on Siemens technology for PLCs, networks, and CNC applications. "Our core business is developing one-of-a-kind solutions. Customers come to us with specific needs for which standard solutions don't exist. We step in with custom engineering and innovation as our strength," says Wim, Sales & Business Developer at Cadcamatic.

Sufficient Challenge

When selecting the project, Cadcamatic—under the leadership of Sales & Business Developer Wim De Coene—examined a concrete request from a French customer. They wanted to know whether their existing CNC machine could be equipped with an additional axis to enable the production of more complex components. "We deliberately select these kinds of projects for students," says Wim. "They need to offer enough substance to challenge a bachelor's or master's student, while also being relevant and innovative for our customers. In this case, the customer's request was a perfect fit for a final thesis."

This wasn't Cadcamatic's first collaboration with SIA either. Previously, the automation specialist had supported student programs through dual learning, where young professionals complete part of their education at Siemens and carry out their thesis work at Cadcamatic. "For us, the Academy is a genuine talent pool," Wim adds. "We often continue to support them after their bachelor's or master's degree—through internships, student jobs, or even as future colleagues. That makes SIA particularly valuable for us."

New Degree of Freedom for Complex Machining

The customer's request and starting point for this project involved extending an existing CNC lathe that previously allowed only one specific operation. Ruben Mees investigated how the machine could be adapted to perform more complex operations. His analysis revealed that two key modifications were necessary: the addition of a C-axis, where the main spindle serves as a controlled rotational axis, and the implementation of a control system that supports interpolation between two axes. A comparison between a Siemens T-CPU and a Sinumerik NC control showed that the Sinumerik control made this possible in a straightforward manner.

Thanks to Siemens, Ruben was able to work with Sinumerik One, the digital CNC control system for machine tools, and Create My Virtual Machine, the Siemens software that enables creating a Digital Twin from a Sinumerik One controller. This allowed him to virtually configure the lathe, completing part of the commissioning in advance and realistically simulating machine behavior. In a later phase, Cadcamatic and Ruben also designed a test setup to successfully validate the concept.

Lever for Implementation

The results of this program represent significant added value for both Cadcamatic and the customer. Thanks to the Digital Twin and prototype, not only was feasibility proven, but potential risks for the customer were also minimized. "Today we can already demonstrate that the extension is entirely possible—the code is largely ready—and that cycle times have been calculated. For the customer, that means certainty, and for us, the knowledge that a future retrofit can be executed faster and more cost-effectively. In other words, when the customer has finalized their budget and makes the decision, we can immediately move forward with implementation," says Wim.

For Cadcamatic, however, the collaboration with SIA goes beyond project results. Each program simultaneously builds a new bridge between education and industry, enabling young talent to grow in a real business context. Ruben himself reflects positively on his experience: "Through this project and close collaboration with Cadcamatic, I learned tremendously. I had the opportunity to work with the latest Siemens technologies while gaining practical experience in a professional environment. The guidance and support from the team elevated my thesis to a higher level. I'm very grateful to Cadcamatic and the Siemens Industry Academy for that."

New Projects

Following the positive experience with Ruben, Cadcamatic continues to invest in new SIA projects. The company is currently preparing another CNC retrofit project for the next student. The approach remains the same: helping customers with innovative solutions, offering students an exceptional learning experience, and working together with Siemens to bridge the gap between the academic world and industry.