Difference between Fanuc Focus Suite and Fanuc Focas Drivers from Fanuc

[jrozanc]

Does anyone know what is the difference between the Fanuc Focas Suite that is available through the kepware site, vs the Fanuc Focas drivers I would need to purchase directly from Fanuc?

Do I need both to be able to collect data from a CNC with a Fanuc controller if the controller already has Fanuc "Focas" installed on it?

https://www.ptc.com/en/store/kepware/suites/fanuc-focas-suite

https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article/CS281557?_gl=1*188ufhz*_ga*MjA1NTI1MjkwMy4xNjg5ODc0MDkz*_ga_1QBT6P6HR1*MTY4OTk0MjU5Ni4zLjEuMTY4OTk0MjcwOC4wLjAuMA..

[VladimirN]

Try also to ask here: https://www.ptc.com/en/products/kepware/contact-us

[cmorehead · Accepted solution]

@jrozanc,  

The Kepware Fanuc Suite contains both the Fanuc Focas Ethernet and Fanuc Focas HSSB drivers which can be used to communicate with Fanuc Focas CNCs to OPC client applications, including HMI, SCADA, Historian, MES, ERP, and countless custom applications. It supports communications with multiple protocol networks, including Fanuc Focas 1 Ethernet and Fanuc Focas HSSB. I am not familiar with the Fanuc drivers you mentioned that can be obtained from Fanuc directly. You may need to contact Fanuc directly to see how those drivers interact with the CNC devices. There are external requirements called "Focus Libraries" needed for the Kepware Focus driver to work. The Focas libraries must be purchased from Fanuc. In the US, call 800-FANUC-US. Then, choose CNC, Parts to place your order.  Here is a link to page in Kepware manual that covers these external requirements:

https://www.ptc.com/store/-/media/kepware-store/en/manuals/fanuc-focas-ethernet-manual.pdf#page=6

Thanks,

*Chris
 

[jrozanc]

Thanks Chris, One more question, will the Fanuc Suite support multiple connections or do we need to buy a suite license per connection? For example, we have 3 HMC with Fanuc controllers. Will we need to purchase 3 licenses of the Fanuc suite or is just 1 required?

[rajskumar]

Fanuc Focus contains below two drivers

• Fanuc Focas Ethernet
• Fanuc Focas HSSB

Fanuc Focas Ethernet Driver-The maximum number of channels supported by this driver is 256. The maximum number of devices supported by this driver is 20 per channel. 

Fanuc Focas HSSB Driver-The maximum number of channels supported by this driver is 100. The maximum number of devices supported by this driver is 20 per channel. 

So in your case, You just need 1 Fanuc Focus suite license to connect to 3 controllers(Devices).

If you already do not own a license for this, you can reach out to our presales Application Engineering team (they can assist in a basic POC) using this article before committing to a purchase.