Software module to connect FANUC CNC controllers to Industrial IoT applications

edgeConnector FANUC CNC connects to the FANUC CNC controllers without any intervention in the machine configuration and provides the data as an OPC UA server. In addition, the data can also be transmitted to MQTT brokers using MQTT. Diverse process parameters from the NC part, as well as the PLC part (PMC) can be read out. As a Docker container, the product offers flexible deployment options, e.g., on standard IPCs or devices running Azure IoT Edge or AWS IoT Greengrass.

The application can be easily configured locally via an integrated web interface. It can also be managed remotely using the REST API. The configuration is flexible and includes precisely coordinated security settings (e.g., role-based access rights for OPC UA client applications).

The new product, which is also based on virtualization and container technology, benefits from Softing's deep experience with brownfield connectivity through MQTT and OPC UA technology and provides the data for new and highly efficient IoT solution architectures.

Accessing Tooling Machine Data from OPC UA Applications

• Provision of FANUC 0i-, 30-i, and PM-i CNC Series data
• Pre-defined namespace, customizable for user defined PMC areas
• Standardized OPC UA communication for data integration into management systems like ERP, MES, or SCADA or for data exchange with other docker containers like Microsoft OPC Publisher or Amazon AWS IoT SiteWise
• Connection of up to 20 FANUC CNC controllers with one Container Runtime
• No change at the CNC program needed

Easy Cloud-driven or Local Deployment

• Container images stored in different online repositories like Docker Hub, Azure Container Registry (ACR) or Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
• Simple data transmission to an MQTT broker using the MQTT publisher functionality for local or cloud-based solutions
• Recipe manager functionality for writing process data from the cloud to controllers (MQTT Subscriber)
• Licensing via Softing Floating License Server

Lightweight Flexible Container Solution

• Less resources plus increased scalability and flexibility
• Support of security standards as SSL/TLS, X.509 certificates, authentication, and data encryption
• Highly flexible state-of-the-art application to be deployed, adjusted, or started and stopped immediately, if needed
• Deployment and configuration also via management systems such as Kubernetes, Azure IoT Edge, or AWS IoT Greengrass