Siemens SINAMICS S220 - The Next-Generation Servo Drive

The SINAMICS S220 is Siemens’ latest high-performance servo and motion-control drive system, launched in 2025. It has been developed to meet the growing demands of modern industrial automation, offering high power density, compact design, multi-axis capability and deep digital integration. The S220 is positioned as the successor to existing high-end servo platforms and is designed for complex, future-ready machine applications.

What the SINAMICS S220 Offers

The SINAMICS S220 delivers a wide performance spectrum, covering applications from small precision motion tasks through to heavy-duty industrial machinery. It supports power ranges from low kilowatt servo applications up to very high-power configurations suitable for demanding processes.

A key feature of the S220 is its new control core, the CU320-3. This advanced control unit can manage up to twelve motion axes from a single unit, significantly increasing integration density and simplifying complex machine architectures. This makes the S220 particularly suitable for high-axis-count machinery such as packaging lines, robotics, handling systems and complex multi-station assembly machines.

The S220 is also designed with modern digital manufacturing in mind. It supports virtual commissioning, digital twin integration, predictive maintenance and advanced diagnostics. High-speed data interfaces allow real-time operational data to be accessed for optimisation, performance monitoring and condition-based maintenance.

Safety and cybersecurity have been significantly enhanced. The S220 supports high safety performance with fast safety response times and comprehensive safety certification across operating states. Secure firmware, encrypted data and protected configuration access ensure that the system meets modern cybersecurity requirements for connected industrial environments.

The drive system also supports regenerative power supply options and scalable infeed systems, making it suitable for energy-efficient installations and high-power applications where controlled energy recovery is required.

SINAMICS S120 – A Proven Servo Drive Platform

The SINAMICS S120 has long been the benchmark modular servo and motion-control system in Siemens’ drive portfolio. It is widely used across many industries and applications due to its flexibility, reliability and mature engineering environment.

The S120 is built around a modular architecture consisting of control units, line modules and motor modules. This allows engineers to configure the drive system precisely for each application, from simple single-axis servo control through to large multi-axis systems with regenerative infeed.

The S120 is used in a wide range of machinery including packaging equipment, machine tools, test rigs, conveyors, printing machinery and special-purpose machines. Its long track record means there is extensive technical knowledge, strong spare-parts availability and broad integration support across Siemens automation platforms.

While the S120 remains a highly capable drive system, it reflects the design philosophy of an earlier generation. It was developed before the widespread adoption of digital twins, large-scale connectivity and the higher cybersecurity requirements now expected in modern automation systems.

SINAMICS S220 vs SINAMICS S120 – Key Differences

The SINAMICS S220 represents a new generation of servo drive technology when compared with the S120.

The S120 is a mature, well-proven platform with a highly modular structure. It offers excellent flexibility and is particularly suitable for retrofits, legacy systems and applications where long-term field reliability is the main priority.

The S220, by contrast, is designed specifically for new machine builds and advanced production systems. It offers much higher integration density, with one control unit capable of managing up to twelve axes. This reduces cabinet size, simplifies wiring and shortens commissioning time.

In terms of compactness, the S220 uses modern book-size motor modules with a significantly reduced footprint compared with the modular stacking typically required for S120 systems.

Digitalisation is another major differentiator. While the S120 integrates well with PLCs and motion controllers, the S220 is built for full Industry 4.0 readiness. It supports digital twins, virtual commissioning, high-speed diagnostics, predictive maintenance and secure remote access as standard.

Safety and cybersecurity are also more advanced on the S220. It incorporates faster safety processing, enhanced safety certification across all operating states, and modern encrypted communication and configuration protection. These features are increasingly important as machines become more connected and exposed to cyber risks.

Which Drive System Should You Choose

The SINAMICS S120 remains an excellent choice for proven machine designs, retrofit projects and applications where system familiarity, established support and modular flexibility are the priority.

The SINAMICS S220 is the better choice for new machine development, particularly where compact multi-axis motion control, high power density, digital integration, predictive maintenance and advanced cybersecurity are required. It is especially suited to manufacturers designing future-ready machines for digitally connected factories.

What This Means for Modern Industry

The introduction of the SINAMICS S220 reflects a wider shift in industrial automation. Drive systems are no longer seen purely as power and motion components. They are now core digital assets, responsible for generating valuable operational data, supporting virtual commissioning, enabling predictive maintenance and forming part of a secure, connected production environment.

As manufacturing continues to move towards higher flexibility, greater connectivity and increased automation complexity, platforms such as the SINAMICS S220 will become central to next-generation machine design.