Does Fanuc do firmware upgrades to controllers?

[snipepod]

I am helping a friend setup DNC Rs232 software on a couple of older swiss machines. One is a Hardinge ST225 with a Fanuc 18i and the second is a Star? with a Fanuc 0i. The general state of his shop is such that everything computer is out of date. Windows7 never gets the automatic updates from Microsoft, the firmware for the wireless 802.11 network needed updating, etc.. Anyways, we hare having problems with upload/downloading. Without banging my head against the wall needlessly, I wanted to find out if maybe the Fanuc controllers are out of date. Question1. Does Fanuc update their controllers periodically? Do they have a version/release naming convention that we can identify in the controllers to see if they are up-to-date? In my shop, I have all HAAS equipment, and HAAS periodically updates my controllers to fix bugs, and support new functionality.

[fordav11]

RS232 communication is very basic. Fanuc control **will** work without any changes to internal software. Rarely would Fanuc update any machine unless very serious fault is found and most if not all Fanuc controllers are well proven so don't bother wasting time there. Use any old PC with serial port and communication cable with PC transfer software. Its very simple.

The short answer is 'no'. Read and research how to do RS232 communication with Fanuc <-> PC is the key to your success.

[Al_The_Man]

Try the free Cadem Lite. works like a charm.
DNC – wireless and wired, Free DNC for 1 machine
Al.

[memoryman]

I have used Hyperterminal without problems for years too.