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Connect and Collect Machine Data from FANUC Controls

Connecting your FANUC Controls and other shop floor equipment is the first step to getting started with Industry 4.0. Deploying a machine data collection solution enables you to monitor machine performance and conditions in real-time to make better, faster decisions.

FANUC CNC controllers are one of the simplest machine assets to connect to, with most supporting FANUC FOCAS for easy machine connectivity. Learn how to connect your FANUC CNC control as well as some of the proprietary software solutions offered by FANUC.

(Image source: FANUC)

View FANUC Connectivity Options
FANUC CNC Machine.

Connect to FANUC Controls with FOCAS

With most FANUC controls, the standard protocol FOCAS can be used to acquire data from the equipment.

There are a few steps involved, but connecting with FANUC FOCAS is one of the easiest methods of machine connectivity.

  1. Ensure that the FANUC control supports FOCAS. Reference the FAQ below or reach out to our team for help.
  2. Run an Ethernet cable through the machine’s body into the ethernet port
  3. Adjust the control settings to enable FANUC FOCAS.

Learn more about connecting with FANUC FOCAS or read the full tutorial in our Knowledge Base.

Visit the Knowledge Base
FANUC Control OI-F.

Collect Data Using I/O

If you have a FANUC Control that is not FOCAS-enabled, you will have to connect with I/O. Using this connectivity method still enables you to collect critical machine performance and condition data.

Contact our team to learn how we can set up this connection for you, or learn more about I/O modules.

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I/O Module.

Fanuc Communication Software

As a leading vendor of robots and CNC machines, not only does FANUC have a well-adopted CNC control, but the organization also offers communication software to transfer data between assets and monitor equipment performance and conditions. This helps manufacturers better understand shop floor performance. These communication software solutions include:

  • FASOPC: An OPC-UA and OPC-DA Server Solution
  • FANUC MTConnect Server: An MTConnnect Server Solution
  • FASConnect: A solution to connect PCs and CNCs
  • MT-LINKi: FANUC's proprietary machine tool monitoring solution
  • FASData: A plug-and-play version of MT-Linki that is less comprehensive

We cover both MT-Linki and FASData below.

FANUC FASConnect

FANUC MT-LINKi

MT-Linki is FANUC's proprietary machine tool monitoring solution. The software allows manufacturers to connect their shop floor to a PC using Ethernet. Users can then visualize the shop floor in a color-coded format to understand equipment performance. It helps enable connectivity to FANUC CNC and robots, as well as non-FANUC CNCs, PLCs, or devices via MTConnect or OPC-UA.
Learn More About FANUC MT-LINKi
FANUC MT-LINKi Machine Tool Monitoring.

FANUC FASData

FASData is a similar solution to MT-Linki, but less comprehensive. Described as "plug-n-play", FASData has the ability to connect to modern and legacy FANUC CNCs that have either an Ethernet or HAAS connection, as well as non-FANUC equipment via MTConnect and OPC-UA.
Learn More About FANUC FASData
FANUC FASData Shop Floor Data Collection Software.

Connect to All Your Equipment

Easily connect to all your manufacturing equipment, not just FANUC controls.

MachineMetrics is the leading platform to collect, monitor, analyze, and drive action with manufacturing equipment data. Our platform easily captures data from your manufacturing equipment and provides a complete toolkit to drive actionable insights for frontline workers and other factory floor systems that improve the efficiency and quality of production.

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Machine Data Platform Concept Image.

Machines Commonly Equipped with Fanuc Controls

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Citizen Machinery Logo.
Tsugami Logo.
Star CNC Machine Tool Corporation Logo.
Matsuura Logo
Doosan Logo

FAQ on FANUC Machine Connectivity

Does my FANUC control support FOCAS?

Likely your FANUC control supports FOCAS, as any controls 10-15 years old typically do. Further, controls with an "I" series designation may also support FOCAS, and many of the ones that do not include it out of the box can have it added by FANUC.

The following FANUC controls support FOCAS:

  • 0i
  • 0i-T
  • 0i-TC confirmed no EMBDD (FOCAS over PCMCIA only)
  • 31i
  • 32i
  • 18i
  • 18i-T

Have a different control and still unsure? Contact our team for help.

How do I enable my FANUC Ethernet port?

1. Press the function key.

2 Soft keys [EMBED PORT] and [PCMCIA LAN] appear. (When there is no soft keys, press the continue key.)

3. To display the Ethernet Setting screen for the embedded Ethernet port or the PCMCIA Ethernet card, press soft key [EMBED PORT] or [PCMCIA LAN], respectively.

4. Pressing soft key [TASK STATUS] causes the task status of the embedded Ethernet function to be displayed.

You can find a complete guide from CNC Engineering here. Also, this video may be helpful as it walks through a FANUC CNC Ethernet IP installation and setup.

Learn more about EtherNet/IP.

 

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