Siemens has launched Meet at the Machine, a new initiative designed to connect machine builders, engineering software and automation technologies into a more integrated CNC manufacturing workflow. Announced on September 15, 2026, the initiative is being introduced during IMTS 2026 in Chicago and is intended to help manufacturers prepare production activities before a new machine is physically delivered.

Connecting Engineering With the Machine

Manufacturing projects often involve separate stages for engineering, CNC programming, simulation, machine commissioning and production. When these activities are disconnected, manufacturers may need to wait until a machine arrives before completing important programming and validation work.

Siemens’ Meet at the Machine approach aims to create a continuous digital thread linking engineering, programming, virtual validation and machine execution.

The first partner participating in the initiative is TRAK Machine Tools. Siemens and TRAK are combining machine expertise with Siemens software and automation technologies to create a workflow that allows manufacturers to begin preparing production while the physical machine is still being built.

Virtual Production Before Machine Delivery

One of the most important aspects of the initiative is moving production preparation earlier in the manufacturing lifecycle.

Using digital engineering and simulation technologies, manufacturers can program parts, simulate machining processes and validate production strategies before the CNC machine reaches the factory.

This approach can help identify programming or process issues earlier, reducing the amount of work that needs to be completed during machine commissioning.

Siemens says the approach can potentially reduce ramp-up time by up to 50%, although actual results will depend on the machine, application and production environment.

AI and Digital Twins for CNC Manufacturing

The initiative is part of Siemens’ broader strategy for combining Industrial AI, digital twins, CNC automation and software-defined manufacturing.

At IMTS 2026, Siemens is demonstrating how manufacturers can follow a connected workflow from product design and planning through simulation, CNC programming, production and continuous optimization.

AI-assisted CNC programming can provide context-aware recommendations, while machine-specific digital twins allow engineers to evaluate machining processes before running them on physical equipment.

For CNC engineers, this means that programming and process optimization can increasingly take place in a virtual environment rather than waiting for machine availability.

Benefits for Machine Builders

The initiative also creates opportunities for machine builders.

Instead of delivering hardware first and leaving customers to complete much of the application preparation afterward, machine builders can work with software and automation partners to provide a more complete manufacturing solution.

This can help differentiate machines based on productivity, software integration and ease of commissioning rather than hardware specifications alone.

Siemens also plans to work with additional machine-building partners as the initiative develops.

From CNC Machines to Connected Manufacturing

The Meet at the Machine concept reflects a wider change in industrial automation. CNC machines are increasingly becoming part of a connected digital manufacturing environment rather than isolated production assets.

Engineering software, PLC and CNC control, robotics, simulation, Industrial AI and production data can be connected through a common digital thread.

For manufacturers, this creates opportunities to reduce the time between machine delivery and productive manufacturing.

Outlook

Siemens’ Meet at the Machine initiative demonstrates how digital engineering can move more manufacturing preparation away from the physical machine and into a virtual environment.

By combining CNC automation, digital twins, AI-assisted programming, simulation and machine-builder expertise, manufacturers can prepare production processes earlier and potentially shorten commissioning and ramp-up periods.

As Siemens expands the initiative with additional machine builders, this approach could become another important step toward more connected, flexible and software-driven CNC manufacturing.