A programmer finishes a CAM file. Instead of walking to the machine, they click "Send." A custom C# application uses cnc_dncfilesend() to stream the program directly to the CNC's data server. The operator at the machine selects the program from the screen and presses cycle start.
| Feature | FOCAS1 (Legacy) | FOCAS2 (Modern) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | HSSB (High-Speed Serial Bus) | Ethernet TCP/IP | | Required Hardware | Dedicated FANUC HSSB card on CNC and PC | None —standard PC Ethernet port | | Deployment & Scale | Point-to-point, physically limited cable length. Hard to scale. | Can ride on existing plant networks, through switches, routers, and VPNs. Easy to scale. | | Target Controls | Older 0i, 16i, 18i, 21i series from the HSSB era. | All Ethernet-capable FANUC controls: 0i-F/MF, 30i/31i/32i families, and more. | | Functions & Features | Frozen API with limited documented functions. | Expanded functions including Data Server access, memory card management, multi-channel support, and more. | | Licensing | Licensed per CNC with HSSB hardware. | Licensed per CNC with the Ethernet FOCAS option enabled. | fanuc focas 2
You must configure the CNC side. Usually done via the menu. A programmer finishes a CAM file
In the modern landscape of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0, FOCAS 2 serves as the fundamental layer for machine monitoring, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) tracking, and automated asset management. Key Differences: FOCAS 1 vs. FOCAS 2 | Feature | FOCAS1 (Legacy) | FOCAS2 (Modern)
(Fanuc Open CNC API Specifications 2) is a specialized communication protocol and a set of library functions that enable high-level data exchange between a host computer (typically a PC) and FANUC CNC controllers . It serves as a bridge for industrial automation, allowing developers to create custom applications for real-time monitoring, data collection, and machine control. Architecture and Connectivity