FANUC CNC monitoring: what data you can read and what to do with it
Over Ethernet, FANUC controls expose run state (running, feed hold, stopped, alarm), active program and sequence, part counters, spindle speed and load, feed rate and override, and active alarms. A read-only agent collects these every few seconds; the server turns state changes into stops, cycles into performance and counters into parts, so OEE and stop history appear without manual logging.
Guilherme Rodrigues ItinoseUpdated 2 min read
Key takeaways
- Most FANUC controls with Ethernet can be read without changing the machine.
- Run state, program, part count and alarms are enough for a reliable OEE.
- Read-only access means monitoring cannot change programs or parameters.
- Stop reasons still need a quick operator tap or a rule.
- Start with the bottleneck machines, not the whole plant.
Paper production logs are always late and often wrong. The controller already knows when the machine stopped and how many parts it made; the job is to read it.
What can be read
| Data | Use |
|---|---|
| Run state (auto run, feed hold, stop, alarm) | Availability and stop history |
| Active program and sequence number | What was running when it stopped |
| Part counter | Production and performance |
| Spindle speed and load, feed and override | Process insight, slow-down detection |
| Active alarms | Alarm Pareto and maintenance |
From raw data to OEE
- The agent polls each machine every few seconds, read-only.
- State changes become events: a stop starts, a stop ends.
- Counters and cycle times become production and performance.
- Scrap is added by quality, and OEE is calculated on the server.
Stop reasons
The controller knows the machine stopped, not why. A quick tap on a tablet (“tool change”, “waiting material”) or simple rules turn stops into a useful Pareto.
Where to start
Pick the bottleneck machines, connect them first and use the data in the daily meeting. Expand once the team trusts the numbers.
CNC Pulse is our read-only monitoring for FANUC controls, with live andon, plant view, OEE and loss Pareto. See also automation.
When to outsource this
- You have FANUC machines and OEE is filled out by hand
- You want to see stopped machines in real time on a TV or phone
When not to
- Your machines have no network port and no budget for retrofits
FAQ
Does monitoring affect the machine?
A read-only agent only queries data. It does not write programs, offsets or parameters.
Do old FANUC controls work?
Many controls from the 0i and 30i families with Ethernet can be read; older ones may need an option or interface. Check the model first.
What about other brands?
Many controls offer MTConnect, OPC UA or vendor protocols. Each brand needs its own adapter.
Where is data stored?
Typically in a cloud database, with the dashboard accessible on any browser and access controlled per user.
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