From Grinding Gears to Grinding Code: How SixPivot Helped ANCA Build Smarter CNC Machines

---

Industry: Manufacturing

Location: Australia

Duration: 2 Years

Technology: .NET 6, cloud integration

Solution: ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System (AIMS)

---

SixPivot partnered with ANCA CNC Machines, an Australian manufacturer and global leader in computer numerical control (CNC) grinding machines, on a two-year project to build the ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System (AIMS): a .NET 6 software platform that enables automated, machine-to-machine communication across ANCA's precision manufacturing operations. The result was not only a more intelligent production system but a lasting shift in how ANCA's engineering teams approach software development.

What made ANCA a global leader in CNC manufacturing

ANCA was founded in Melbourne in 1974 by Pat McCluskey and Pat Boland with a single idea: integrating computers into machine controls. That idea evolved into what is now known as Computer Numerical Control (CNC), the technology that powers precision manufacturing worldwide.

Fifty years on, ANCA is a global leader in CNC grinding machines, motion controls, sheet metal, and manufacturing solutions, exporting 99% of its products to more than 45 countries. The company's history is one of continuous innovation, and its challenge was to extend that tradition into the software era.

How you make precision CNC machines smarter without disrupting production

ANCA's machines are among the most precise in the world. Making them smarter, enabling them to communicate, coordinate, and operate with greater autonomy required software expertise that went far beyond writing code.

ANCA wanted a modular hardware system that could be automated through a software interface. What they needed was a partner who would take the time to understand the complexity of precision tool manufacturing before proposing a solution.

During our tender process, every consultancy just said ‘yes’, they could do it without asking any questions about our Domain, except for SixPivot. ANCA does not traditionally work with external parties on our software and trust was a major factor for us. SixPivot showed a genuine interest in understanding all facets of our business and what we are trying to achieve before jumping in with a ‘Yes’. Their genuine interest and transparency from the beginning are why we chose them.

Samuel Kirkpatrick, Technical Manager,

Systems Engineering, ANCA CNC Machines

What the ANCA Integrated Manufacturing Systems (AIMS) is

AIMS, the ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System, is a centralised software platform that serves as the operational brain of ANCA's manufacturing environment, enabling machines to communicate and work together seamlessly.

At its core is the AIMS Equipment Interface (AEI): a .NET 6 application that runs on every piece of hardware across the manufacturing floor. The AEI provides a high-level abstract interface for controlling devices and automating the tool cutting and grinding process, making complex machine coordination manageable through a single software layer.

ANCA wanted a modular hardware system automated through a software interface. We developed the AIMS Equipment Interface (AEI), a central .NET 6 application that served as the backbone of the AIMS solution, running on every piece of hardware. The AEI provided a high-level abstract interface for controlling devices and automating the tool cutting and grinding process.

Shaw Innes

Principal Consultant, SixPivot

The two-year project was built on a foundation of trust, technical rigour, and a shared commitment to getting the domain knowledge right before the development began.

Their team is highly talented. They not only provided a technically talented team but also provided us with lasting guidance and best practices that have helped all our teams, not just those projects they were directly involved in.

Samuel Kirkpatrick, Technical Manager,

Systems Engineering, ANCA CNC Machines

How the project changed the way ANCA's engineering teams work

The impact of the AIMS engagement extended well beyond the software itself. In addressing concerns about observability and rapid feedback in the manufacturing process, SixPivot improved debugging and issue resolution, but also influenced how ANCA's development teams approach their work day-to-day.

ANCA's engineers gained new insight into modern software practices, transforming how they think about problem-solving, testing, and development workflow. The collaboration demonstrated how combining deep manufacturing domain expertise with contemporary software engineering and cloud capabilities can drive genuine innovation not just in the product, but across the organisation.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System (AIMS)?

AIMS is a centralised software platform developed by SixPivot for ANCA CNC Machines. It enables ANCA's manufacturing hardware to communicate and operate in a coordinated, automated way. At its core is the AIMS Equipment Interface (AEI), a .NET 6 application running on every piece of hardware, providing a unified interface for device control and process automation.

What is the AIMS Equipment Interface (AEI)?

The AEI is a central .NET 6 application that acts as the backbone of the AIMS solution. It runs on every piece of hardware in ANCA's manufacturing environment and provides a high-level abstract interface for controlling devices and automating the tool cutting and grinding process.

What technology stack does SixPivot use for manufacturing software projects?

SixPivot built the AIMS solution using .NET 6, with cloud integration capabilities. The platform is designed to be modular, enabling hardware to be controlled and coordinated through a software interface without requiring direct manual intervention for each device.

Why did ANCA choose SixPivot as a software partner?

ANCA selected SixPivot for its approach during the tender process: rather than immediately agreeing to the project requirements, SixPivot asked substantive questions about ANCA's domain before proposing a solution. This demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding the business, a quality ANCA prioritised, given they don't traditionally work with external software partners.

What is SixPivot's approach to complex manufacturing software projects?

SixPivot's approach centres on domain understanding before development. For ANCA, this meant spending time learning the intricacies of precision tool manufacturing before building. The engagement also delivered lasting value through guidance on modern software practices and best practices, improving ANCA's internal development capability beyond the projects SixPivot directly delivered.

Can SixPivot help with observability and debugging in manufacturing environments?

Yes. As part of the AIMS engagement, SixPivot addressed observability and rapid feedback challenges in ANCA's manufacturing process, improving how issues were identified and resolved. This work also contributed to a broader shift in ANCA's development culture by introducing modern practices in testing, feedback loops, and workflow visibility.