FOCAS (Fanuc Open CNC API Specifications) version 2 is the modern standard for interfacing with i-Series and newer controllers.
While both libraries serve similar purposes, they represent different generations of connectivity. HSSB (High-Speed Serial Bus) Ethernet (TCP/IP) and HSSB PC Hardware Requires a dedicated PCI/PCIe HSSB card No special hardware; works over standard LAN Network Support Point-to-point (proprietary cable) Fully routable via switches, routers, and VPNs OS Compatibility Legacy (up to Windows 7) Modern (Windows 8, 10, and 11) Controller Series Older 0i, 16i, 18i, 21i Newer 0i-F/MF and 30i/31i/32i families FANUC.FOCAS Tutorial Episode 1 What is FOCAS? fanuc focas 2
FANUC FOCAS 2 is not a flashy consumer technology—it is a robust, industrial workhorse. For any manufacturer serious about digital transformation, FOCAS 2 is the essential bridge between the physical cutting action on the shop floor and the digital intelligence of the cloud. It turns a standard FANUC CNC from a "dumb" cutting machine into a smart, connected asset that can report its own health, productivity, and needs. Without FOCAS 2, a FANUC machine is blindfolded; with it, it becomes the most transparent piece of equipment on the floor. FOCAS (Fanuc Open CNC API Specifications) version 2
Read absolute, relative, and machine positions, as well as actual feed rates and spindle loads. FANUC FOCAS 2 is not a flashy consumer
(Fanuc Open CNC API Specifications 2) is a specialized communication protocol and set of library files designed to bridge the gap between high-performance FANUC CNC controllers and external PC-based applications. As the industry-standard gateway for industrial data collection, FOCAS 2 enables manufacturers to monitor machine status, collect production data, and even control CNC operations in real-time. Core Capabilities and Functions