CNC milling technology originated in the mid-20th century. In 1952, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) collaborated with the Parsons Company to successfully develop the first three-axis CNC milling machine, which utilized vacuum tube components for its control system. The development of CNC milling machines in China began in 1958. That same year, Tsinghua University collaborated with the Beijing No. 1 Machine Tool Factory to successfully develop China's first prototype three-axis CNC vertical milling machine, the X53K1; this prototype employed a vacuum-tube-based linear interpolation system.
CNC systems have undergone several generations of evolution, progressing from vacuum tubes and transistors to integrated circuits and microprocessors. Following the 1960s, point-to-point CNC drilling machines and linear-control CNC milling machines saw rapid development, leading to the gradual adoption of CNC machine tools across various sectors of the machinery manufacturing industry.
Current development trends for CNC machine tools include higher speeds, greater precision, functional integration (multi-tasking), intelligent control, and networking capabilities. High-speed performance is characterized by increased spindle speeds and feed rates. High precision is achieved through error compensation technologies, such as backlash compensation, leadscrew pitch error compensation, and tool error compensation. Functional integration refers to the ability to perform multiple machining operations on a single machine. Intelligent control is manifested in features such as adaptive control of the machining process and intelligent fault diagnosis.
Chinese companies, such as Gree, have developed the high-precision five-axis simultaneous machining center GA-F500 and high-speed dual five-axis gantry machining centers. Between 2023 and 2025, this equipment won the Silver Award at the International Trade Fair "Ideas – Inventions – New Products" (iENA) in Nuremberg, Germany, and the Gold Award at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland.
