What is Fanuc?

[raytor]

I just started reading a CNC handbook and reference is freely made to "Fanuc" without explainination. Is Fanuc a trade name or does it stand for something? Even googling did not find a good explaination. I sure it's second nature to you guys but I can't figure it out.
Thanks
R

[NC Cams]

Fanuc is a brand name for a control system supplier. They make high end numerically controlled "systems" for mills, lathes and other machine tools. Since they are numerically controlled systems, the programs are installed as "software" which is actually ladder language steps that are loaded via PROMS.

In one case that I know of, a fairly standard discrete component based motherboard can drive a simple or a totally scienced out machine tool depending on what PROMS are installed.

Although Fanuc provides the control/motherboards/drives, servos,etc, the machine tool integrator or the machine tool builder actually programs the operation of the device via ladder logic "software"/PROMS that they install into the machine when it was built.

[Karl_T]

I'll add a bit more. In the early days of CNC there were all sorts of machine control methods/languages. A real mess. Fanuc had about the easiest/most user friendly. It became the standard, many programs saying they were Fanuc compatible.

Karl

[raytor]

Thanks for the info guys - Very interesting.

I never could find what it meant using English google and references but using German I did find this:

"Der Name Fanuc ist eine Abkürzung von Fujitsu automated numerical control"

which means this:

"The name Fanuc is an abbreviation of Fujitsu automated numerical control"

That pretty much says it all.

[NC Cams]

BTW: Fanuc has been around the USA in several forms and/or iterations.

There was Fanuc/Siemens alliance that supposedly operated under the title of "General Numerics".

There is/was GE/Fanuc which is still going today.

Fanuc also provided controllers for Mazak, Bridgeport, Cadilac Machines (under General Numeric) and goodness knows how many more.

If the controlller has an M in the model number, that generally means it is a "milling" application (IE: VMC, mill, etc).

If it has a T in the model number, that generally means it is a "turning" or lathe application.

Not all versions of all controllers were imported/exported to Europe and/or the USA. Thus, although a controller may exist someplace, it may not be at all supported by Fanuc.

Keep in mind that the controllers were ultimately specified and/or programmed by the machine tool maker. Thus, although Fanuc made the motherboards in the control, they may not have a clue as to the programming or of the ladder logic of the machine. They usually will refer you to the "machine tool maker" for support. Good luck getting support from companies that are long out of business.

DO NOT THINK FOR A MINUTE that Fanuc can/will support a "legacy" machine that you can buy on a super good deal. Also, don't expect to be able to get schematics out of Fanuc for DIY repairs on such machines. They did offer schematics on older devices when they had agents who sold the assembled machine - the schematics were the only way that the devices could be service.

Now, however, Fanuc has a semi global support structure and they make money, LOTS OF IT, servicing their controllers and subcomponents. Thus, they will NOT provide schematics for DIY service. Keep in mind, however, that some legacy stuff is NOT supported by Fanuc at ANY price.

Caveat emptor if you buy Fanuc powered legacy devices....

[Al_The_Man]

One of the reasons that Fanuc became a standard is that soon after merger/buy out of GE to become GE-Fanuc. Fanuc purportedly captured 60% of the world CNC controller market.
Many of the first control manuals were noted for their poor translation from the Japanese, often referred to as 'Jinglish'.
One critisism of Fanuc is the fact that they would supply a system with all the options in the machine but they may not be 'turned on', Fanuc would simply send a technician to turn a parameter bit from 0 to 1 and charge many $$$.
The method used of having two processors that communicated over a common bus, CNC =part program + servo's, and PMC= machine control soon took over the method of using an external PLC for machine control and others like Mitsubishi used similar methods.
With Fanuc there is no 'Free Lunch', Operator training, Technical Training, software, manuals cost a great deal.
If you want fast technical support, they charge an annual fee for that.
BTW Mazak used predominatley Mitsubishi, a few models used Fanuc 6.
Al.

[psychomill]

BTW Mazak used predominatley Mitsubishi, a few models used Fanuc 6.

Actually, you can still order some Mazaks with FANUC controls. It's only on certain models (for example the FF series HMC). And I'm pretty sure it won't be a 6M anymore....

[Al_The_Man]

Actually, you can still order some Mazaks with FANUC controls. It's only on certain models (for example the FF series HMC). And I'm pretty sure it won't be a 6M anymore....

Actually I was talking about the past, now that it is Yamazaki-Mazak, I believe they predominately use Yasnac (Yaskawa)? controllers now?.
Al.

[steveg]

Nope, Mazak is almost entirely mitsubishi I think some machines
can be ordered with Fanuc, but never with yaskawa(yasnac)

Matsuura used/uses yasnac/yaskawa as their standard control.
Matsura now uses the siemens 840D with yaskawa drives and motors.


Fanuc will still supply parts and service as far back as the 6 M/T
but they stopped making new hardware for them a few years ago

0,16,18,21 are still supported as current 6,9,11,12 are referbs only,
they are over 20 years old now, time to allow them to retire.

[Al_The_Man]

Nope, Mazak is almost entirely mitsubishi

What about this postings findings?
http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread...ghlight=yasnac
AL.

[steveg]

What about this postings findings?
http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread...ghlight=yasnac
AL.

I stand corrected, although I suspect you will not find many of them
mitsubishi has been mazaks standard control for a long time.

yaskawa made quite a good reliable control and still makes drives
and motors but the North American support did not exist
in any noticable way outside of dealer support

[cncdiag]

I would love to know where you can get schematics and hybrid parts for mitsubishi and yaskawa, this would include both new and old controls.