The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), under the National Research Council of Science and Technology, has announced the successful development of the country’s first fully homegrown CNC (Computer Numerical Control) system. Named the “K-CNC,” the new system marks a key step in Korea’s push for technological self-reliance in the manufacturing sector.
Led by Principal Researcher Dr. Chang Kyu Song, KIMM’s Department of Ultra-precision Machines & Systems created the smart CNC platform to serve general-purpose machine tools, which dominate the domestic market. In partnership with Korean machine tool makers, the team tested the K-CNC system in the field and confirmed its strong performance.
The K-CNC system includes 33 newly developed drive systems and spindles. These components had traditionally been imported due to their high demands for precision and reliability. KIMM’s work closes critical gaps in Korea’s technology base—especially in spindle motors and drives, where domestic capability had lagged.
The K-CNC system offers several advanced features. These include:
- High-speed precision control,
- Error compensation,
- Real-time machine condition monitoring, and
- AI-based fault diagnostics.
It also supports multi-axis control, digital communication, and an intuitive, touch-based human-machine interface (HMI).
To improve usability, KIMM collaborated with four major Korean machine tool companies to create flexible HMI platforms that can be tailored for different machines. These smart interfaces are designed to improve ease of use and machine efficiency, making them suitable for the evolving demands of digital manufacturing.
To verify real-world performance, KIMM worked with six domestic manufacturers to install the K-CNC system on eight different machines. Test results showed that K-CNC matches the machining quality and speed of imported systems, confirming its readiness for commercial rollout.
KIMM showcased the system at its headquarters on June 18. About 50 Korean machine tool companies attended a morning session to observe live demonstrations, including complex surface machining tasks. In the afternoon, government officials, R&D partners, and industry stakeholders reviewed the project’s progress and shared feedback.
Dr. Song called the project a historic achievement. “The development of K-CNC fulfills a long-standing goal of Korea’s machine tool industry,” he said. “It lays the groundwork for global leadership and strengthens the competitiveness of our manufacturing sector.”
The research was supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy under the “Smart Controller Technology Development Program for Manufacturing Equipment Systems.” The goal of the program is to create CNC systems for smart manufacturing environments.
With the launch of K-CNC, Korea is now one step closer to a more self-sufficient and globally competitive manufacturing industry.
