Controller · FANUC
Connect FANUC 15i / 16i / 18i / 21i and older i-series
Older FANUC i-series controls (15i, 16i, 18i, 21i) are read with FOCAS, but Ethernet FOCAS is often not enabled out of the box: integrator documentation says most i-series without it can have it added by FANUC, with software and hardware including a Fast Ethernet card. The collector uses the FOCAS1 library A02B-0207-K732 (Ethernet). When FOCAS cannot be added, discrete I/O gives state and counts.
At a glance
| Native protocols | FOCAS1/FOCAS2 over Ethernet (if fitted); FOCAS over HSSB |
|---|---|
| Default port | TCP 8193 |
| Licence on the collector | FOCAS1 library A02B-0207-K732 (or K737) |
| Hardware often needed | Ethernet or Fast Ethernet board |
| 16i-B / 18i-B | Listed by integrators as including FOCAS by default |
| Fallback | Discrete I/O |
Connection paths
FOCAS over EthernetRecommended when available
Same driver and data as newer series, minus functions limited to 0i and 30i (executing program name, axis data block).
Add FOCAS (FANUC)Upgrade
FANUC can add the FOCAS function and a Fast Ethernet card on many i-series.
Discrete I/OFallback
Running, alarm and part-count signals wired to an I/O module.
Licences and options
| Item | Option / part number | Paid? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOCAS1 library (Ethernet) | A02B-0207-K732 | Paid | FOCAS1 is the library for CNC other than FS30i/31i/32i/35i, FS0i-D/F and PMi-A |
| Fast Ethernet card + FOCAS function | Not published | Paid | Quoted by FANUC per machine |
Ports
| Port | Protocol | Note |
|---|---|---|
8193 | TCP | FOCAS/Ethernet default |
Software versions
- FOCAS1 library: 32-bit only.
- Some machines include FOCAS without enabling it by default.
Data you can read
- Program: running main program number and name, program comment, current block and sequence number
- Status: mode, run state, emergency stop, alarm state, operator messages
- Feed and spindle: feedrate and spindle overrides, actual feed and spindle speed, spindle load
- Axes: machine, absolute and relative positions, distance to go, servo and spindle load
- Alarms and diagnostics: active alarm list, diagnostic data
- Macro variables: common #100 to #999, local #1 to #33, system #1000 to #9999
- PMC (ladder) areas such as R, D, G, F, X, Y, availability depending on the model
- Tool offsets, work offsets, parameters, tool life management, part count, modal G-codes, system information
Setting it up
- Confirm the control speaks FOCAS over EthernetOn most i-series controls FOCAS is present, but on some it must be added or enabled. Integrator documentation lists 0i-D/F, 16i-B/18i-B and the 30i family as including FOCAS by default; others can have it added by FANUC with software and, where needed, a Fast Ethernet board. Ask the machine builder or FANUC before you plan the job.
- Pick the Ethernet portUse the embedded Ethernet port (connector CD38A on the CNC unit) or an Ethernet / Fast Ethernet board if fitted. On the setting screen the active device must be the embedded port, not the memory card slot.
- Set the address on the CNCSYSTEM → [ETHER BOARD] or [EMBED PORT] (shown as ETHPRM / EMBDD on some screens) → [COMMON]: IP address, subnet mask, router. Use a fixed address agreed with plant IT.
- Set the FOCAS portSame screen → [FOCAS2]: TCP port 8193 is the usual default (allowed range 5001 to 65535). Leave the UDP port at 0 and the time interval at 0 for FOCAS2 use.
- Install the FOCAS library on the collectorFOCAS client software needs FANUC's FOCAS library: A02B-0207-K732 (FOCAS1, Ethernet) or A02B-0207-K737 (FOCAS2, Ethernet and HSSB), bought from a FANUC distributor. Commercial drivers will not run without it.
- Test from the plant networkOpen TCP 8193 from the collector to the CNC, connect with your driver and read a harmless value first: program number, mode, part count. Then add the rest of the tags.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Driver connects to nothing, CNC answers ping | FOCAS function not enabled, or the wrong port number in the driver | Check the [FOCAS2] TCP port on the CNC screen and confirm with the builder that the FOCAS Ethernet function is enabled. |
| Connection refused when a second PC connects | Client limit of the port in use | Embedded Ethernet is meant for few clients (one PC recommended); an Ethernet board accepts more and a Fast Ethernet board the most. Use one collector and share its data instead of letting every tool open its own connection. |
| Driver installed, project will not run | FOCAS library DLLs missing or wrong bitness | Install the FANUC library (K732 or K737). Commercial OPC drivers use the 32-bit DLLs (FWLIB32.DLL, FWLIBE1.DLL); file names must be in capitals. |
| Values written to a tag change a neighbouring value | Overlapping PMC or macro addresses with different data types | Map each PMC area once, with one data type, and keep writes in a reserved range agreed with the machine builder. |
| CNC feels slower while data collection runs | Embedded Ethernet is processed by the CNC CPU | Poll less often (500 ms is a sensible floor), read blocks instead of single values, or use an Ethernet board. |
Traps to avoid
- Functions cnc_exeprgname and cnc_rdaxisdata are documented for 0i and 30i-and-later series only.
- On Mori Seiki machines of this era, reaching the FANUC screens may need the builder's NC system unlock.
Connectors that support this control
| Product | Vendor | Type | Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kepware Server — Fanuc Focas Ethernet / HSSB drivers | Velotic (formerly PTC Kepware) | OPC server / driver | OPC UA, OPC DA, A&E, SuiteLink |
| TOP Server — Fanuc Focas 1&2 Ethernet for CNCs | Software Toolbox | OPC server / driver | OPC UA, OPC DA, SuiteLink |
| fanuc-driver | Ladder99 (open source, Apache-2.0) | Open source | MQTT JSON, Sparkplug B, InfluxDB, MTConnect SHDR |
| Fanuc-MTConnect-Agent | Open source | Open source | MTConnect |
| WebAccess/CNC | Advantech | Monitoring software | OPC UA/DA, Modbus, REST |
| Predator MDC | Predator Software | Monitoring software | SQL / MES / ERP |
| FactoryWiz Monitoring | FactoryWiz | Monitoring software | — |
Not published by the vendor. We could not find these in vendor documentation. Ask the control or machine maker before you rely on them.
- Price and part numbers of FANUC's FOCAS retrofit
Questions engineers ask
Can a FANUC 18i be monitored over Ethernet?
Yes if FOCAS over Ethernet is enabled; 18i-B is listed as including it by default. Otherwise FANUC can usually add it, or use discrete I/O.
Related
Sources
Facts on this page come from these documents, opened on 27 October 2026.
- MachineMetrics support — Which FANUC models include FOCAS
- Software Toolbox — Fanuc Focas Ethernet driver manual (PDF)
- Software Toolbox — FAQ 1323 (FOCAS1 vs FOCAS2)
- Velotic (Kepware) — Fanuc Focas Ethernet driver
- FANUC America — FOCAS2 library
Last verified 27 October 2026 against vendor documentation. OPC UA Connect is an educational resource published by TEEPTRAK; it is not affiliated with the OPC Foundation, the MTConnect Institute or any control maker.