The numerical control system determines the upper limit of the machine tool's potential, operational experience, and long-term stable performance. In the global market, Fanuc and Siemens occupy a dominant position, yet there are significant differences between their design philosophies and target users. Choosing one of them is not just a matter of selecting a brand, but also a choice of production model and development direction.

1. Differences in core concepts

FANUC: Focused on "Reliability and Dedication". Its strengths lie in excellent stability, powerful servo drive system, extremely low failure rate, and wide market share. Its weaknesses include a relatively traditional human-machine interface and slightly inferior openness in integrating high-end complex functions compared to Siemens.

Siemens: Embodies the concept of "integration and intelligence". Its core strengths include robust digital integration capabilities, advanced processing functions, an excellent user interface, and an ecosystem tailored for future factories. Potential drawbacks include generally higher initial acquisition costs and stricter technical requirements for operation and maintenance personnel.

2. In-depth Analysis of Key Performance

Stability and reliability

FANUC stands as an industry benchmark in terms of stability, specifically designed for harsh working conditions and long-term heavy-duty operations. If you are seeking the utmost equipment uptime and operating in a demanding production environment (such as a mold workshop that requires steel cutting for several consecutive days), FANUC offers you peace of mind.

Siemens' stability is equally impressive, but due to its more complex system architecture and higher integration, its reputation for robustness and durability is slightly inferior to that of Fanuc in certain extreme heavy-cutting scenarios. This is not due to unreliability, but rather to the different focuses of the two companies.

Operation experience

The interface style of Fanuc has maintained a consistent and practical tradition over the years. For experienced operators, this logically straightforward interface is highly efficient, but novices need some time to familiarize themselves with it.

Siemens adopts a modern graphical interface with intuitive visual effects and clear prompt information. It has more advantages in complex program programming and simulation. If the team has high turnover or wants to reduce learning costs, Siemens is easier to use.

High-end processing capability

In fields such as five-axis linkage and complex surface machining, the strategies employed by the two differ. Fanuc's five-axis functionality is robust and stable, but it typically requires the purchase of a high-end option package, which increases the initial investment. Once configured, its operation is as reliable as a basic system.

Many of Siemens' high-end features, such as advanced tool management and true RTCP, are often provided as native system functions. In terms of complex surface machining, its algorithms and overall performance are generally considered superior, and programming is also more convenient. If you are mainly engaged in high-difficulty multi-surface five-axis machining, Siemens may have an advantage in terms of functionality and convenience.

Digital integration

The difference between the two is most pronounced in this dimension. Fanuc provides a data acquisition interface, but its overall focus is more on the control of the machine tool itself, and its digital solutions are gradually being improved.

Siemens is a leader in industrial digitalization, possessing a comprehensive digital twin and MindSphere IoT platform that enables seamless integration throughout the entire process from design to production. If a company has a clear plan for a smart factory and wishes to integrate machine tool data into its management system to achieve production transparency, Siemens is almost naturally the first choice.

3. Analysis of applicable scenarios

The following situations are more suitable for choosing Fanuc:

A high-volume production line for single parts, pursuing ultimate stability and high operational duration

Traditional mold processing workshops that require long-duration heavy-load steel cutting

The investment budget is limited, and there is no need for complex processing or digital transformation in the short term

The operation team is very familiar with the Fanuc system, and changing their habits will bring about significant resistance

In the following situations, Siemens is more recommended:

Fields with a wide variety of processed parts, small batches, and high complexity, such as aerospace and precision medicine

Research institutes and universities, with their powerful simulation and open environments, are highly suitable for teaching and research and development

The enterprise has a clear digital/smart factory plan and hopes to achieve data-driven production

We hope to enhance efficiency and quality through advanced features such as intelligent collision avoidance and adaptive control

4. Customized Solutions

At LEYO, we deeply understand that "there is no best system, only the most suitable one". Therefore, we do not force the bundling of a single brand, but instead provide flexible CNC system selection solutions based on your specific needs.

For users who pursue stable, efficient, and large-scale production, we recommend equipping your machine with a Fanuc 0i-MF Plus or 30i/31i/32i-B series to build a solid and reliable production fortress for you.

For users who are challenging high-difficulty processes and embracing the digital future, we recommend equipping your machine tools with Siemens 808D, 828D, or 840D sl series as your capable partner on the journey towards intelligent manufacturing.

Please inform us of your primary processing materials, the complexity of your parts, and your future plans. Our technical consultants will provide you with a personalized "CNC system and machine tool configuration recommendation plan"!