At this year’s IMTS Conference, a key discussion revolved around machine tool connectivity and cybersecurity in manufacturing, a topic raised during an interview with Jens Christophliemke, CEO of INC-MEDIALINE GmbH, and Jody Romanowski, CEO of CIMCO Americas. The duo highlighted their groundbreaking solution, OT-Max, which is designed to secure communication between machine tools and corporate networks.
CIMCO, known for their suite of software solutions such as DNC-Max, which transfers data between machine tools and networks, has been facing increasing challenges with the rise of cybersecurity threats. These include unencrypted protocols commonly used by CNC machines, posing significant risks to manufacturers.
“We’re running into trouble at customer sites because machines often use outdated protocols that IT departments can’t allow due to regulatory or security concerns,” Romanowski explained. “Our solution, OT-Max, bypasses these issues by creating a secure communication gateway.”
OT-Max is not just another firewall. As Christophliemke elaborated, “Firewalls don’t resolve the root problem. They can’t secure the outdated machine-specific protocols still in use today. OT-Max, however, speaks these machine protocols—whether from FANUC, Siemens, or others—and converts them into secure, encrypted protocols for the company network.”
The device separates machine tools from the customer’s network entirely, effectively eliminating security concerns. Christophliemke added, “It’s unique because 99% of the machines on shop floors worldwide use insecure protocols. This device ensures full protection.”
