Fanuc Control - Basic Walk Through To Get You Running Parts!

This video walks through the basics of how to use a FANUC CNC Machine control on a Robodrill CNC Milling Machine a.k.a. Drill Tap Center. Specifically this video highlights the FANUC 31i control and offers many tips and tricks on simple things that may be difficult to understand how to do on the machine, including loading a G-code program, using USB or SD Cards for memory, option stop, opening the door, jog mode, and even turning on the lights. 5 Reasons to Use a Fixture Plate on Your CNC Machine: bit.ly/3sNA4uH

[@brynyard]

The UI designer on that thing can't possibly ever have met a human.

[@seabears_hate_circles]

I think the same thing when I look at almost any machine control. With the exception of some PC based controls and brands that I don't have experience with and can't speak on, they're almost all terrible. No matter what anyone says about HAAS machines they can't deny the fact that they have one if the simplest and most user friendly controls, especially for beginners.

[@drrrrockzo]

I was thinking the same thing...it's like they went out of thier way to make the UI as difficult as they could. It boggles the mind.

[@ratdude747]

@@seabears_hate_circles I've read that in HAAS's early days, they specifically did not copy anything already on the market; they used existing products as examples of how not to make an interface... Seems a lot of that hasn't changed.

[@gorak9000]

It looks really similar to the ancient Mitsubishi controls on my mill I'm fixing. It's definitely a holdover from legacy controls so people that know how to use the old machines can easily transition to new machines. The UIs are horrible and very unintuitive. Even being a programmer (software not cnc) using the interface sucks. I kind of understand why it is the way it is, you're very low level to the hardware, and in the late 80's and 90's there wasn't a lot of cpu horsepower in the control for a fancy gui, but they really are terrible interfaces, no doubt about it.

[@capnthepeafarmer]

It's because there was no such thing as UI when the control was designed.

[@BeeRoque]

Haas should sponsor this video. Fanuc logic makes my brain hurt.

[@diymatt]

Now i know how my mom feels when I reset her Facebook password.

[@gaminggami4138]

Dr. phill said one time, fanuc operators develop stockholme syndrone when exposure to fanuc controls is prolonged.

[@SupremeRuleroftheWorld]

damn, that is some stupid interface in 2020.

[@RoboDriller]

It's not from 2020 though

[@hydrusje]

"this will get you up and running on your new Fanuc machine" Wait, is this Oprah? You get a fanuc, you get a fanuc, everybody gets a fanuc! I'd love one, a 5 axis one if I can choose ;)

[@alandavid9238]

I see, nothing has changed with Fanuc interface in years. Its still over complicated as hell :D

[@AlexKall]

It has changed on newer machines and also robots.

[@deansteadman]

This is an older machine and has since been superseded with a newer iHMI Robodrill interface that is more intuitive. The Quick NC is still there but there are certainly some more intuitive interface screens to be used. One thing i did notice is that to change the IO channel in the settings screen you only need MDI mode, not e-stop, EDIT and PWE on, so that should save you time. With the newer interface there is an even faster way to do it too.

[@johnscott1981]

The new interface is the bees knees. Makes things so fast and is easy to switch back to the old interface to do any maintence operations that are in the quick nc.

[@CR3W1SH03S]

Im still faster on the legacy side of things... but yes, the new iHMI is nice to look at and there are some things that are much more intuitive.

[@unkn0wn_15]

Been using fanuc robodirll for few years, and noticed that you don't need to enable parameter setting in order to change IO channel, just change IO channel and refresh and memory card should be there, easier and quicker!

[@pupetxls2]

It has absolute encoders, no need to zero it on startup.

[@ericwhittaker3570]

Agreed, check your keep relays if it requires you to do it.

[@juliannicholls]

If I'd designed that UI, I'd have been dragged into the street and shot by my boss.

[@matthewgowan7546]

Try loading the programme from the USB, on the manual guide side of the control, rather than the pure fanuc side. It's a lot simpler, and quicker to me it seems on the manual guide side of the control. I think there was a parameter I changed to default manual guide input/output to read from USB, but that was only on one of my older machines.

[@rickfinsta2951]

Beware - there are a lot of high speed lookahead and edit functions that don't work when reading from the flash card on a FANUC.

[@BGraves]

Omg why.... Why can't it read it to RAM!!!!

[@rickfinsta2951]

@@BGraves the "RAM" on these old controllers was measured in meters of tape, which was what was used before CNC (NC controls). This amounted to bytes or kB in the PC world. I had a machine built in 2005 that had 240kB of RAM - that was an upgrade from the standard 120kB. It is easy to make fun of FANUC for this stuff but keep in mind they make most of their own hardware, and the R&D cycle for something like this takes a long time to pay off. Not like personal computing or mobile phones where potentially billions will be sold. A large scale machine tool manufacturer sells thousands or tens of thousands of machines a year. Their main goal is mean time between failure, not absolute speed. I have a 1985 machine on my floor that is STILL SUPPORTED by FANUC. I hate a lot about their controls, but there is a reason they are kind of the world standard.

[@sasjadevries]

You're got damn right about the feedrate override. This should be on every machine. Why on earth don't the cheaper CNC manufacturers put this turn-knob on their machines?

[@AlexKall]

I thought it was 😳😲 have seen it on all I've been around, although I'm not a machinist and I come across cnc machines while doing robot integration so they tend do be in the highest price bracket for high volume work.

[@sasjadevries]

@@AlexKall You can actually find these feedrate turnknobs on the cheaper cnc machines in Russia. Whenever they make a custom special purpose machine, or rebuild an old lathe, they pretty much always install a BaltSystem control panel with turnknobs for the speed+feedrate. It's just standard in Russia, no matter the pricepoint of the machine(even if you're only spending 10k €); so I don't see why Tormach, Haas and all the Chinese manufacturers don't have it.

[@jakp8777]

Ugh, Fanuc. It’s like programming a 20+ year old machine that’s brand new. For CNC look at the Siemens 840D and robots Kura or ABB.

[@AlexKall]

Have heard fairly bad things about the Siemens controllers to from machinists. 🤷‍♂️ For robots together with a robodrill the best option on robot is a Fanuc.

[@Dr.K.Wette_BE]

Looks A LOT like the Siemens interfaces ! 😁

[@cwhuffman01]

I have looked at Fanuc controls in the past and always thought they were more trouble to set up and operate compared to other controls, this quick walk through only confirms that. Something as simple as taking an inputting a program into a machine is only made more difficult by having to change channels, IO numbers, and what ever else was on the long string of commands. It sort of makes you realize why so many people buy Haas machines, not because they are better, but so much easier to use. It is good to see companies such as Doosan try and remedy this ridiculous interface with their own settings pages, but it is still a compromise. I would love to run a machine with a Siemens or Heidenhain control, though.

[@ericwhittaker3570]

We have all three brands you mentioned. The Haas are great all around machines if you don't need to customize or automate them. Robodrills are great machines, but the control is funky at first. Have bought 4 Doosan mills in the last 2 years and automated each. They're great from an automation standpoint, and you're right, the Doosan overlay helps with the Funky Fanuc control. The newest Fanuc iHMI is just one step behind Haas as far as look and feel. Generally our Doosans outperform our Haas machines by 30%.

[@mrmaxwell08]

No sure if yall have figured it out yet but for the door K12 bit 6 should equal 1 to unlock door at M02 or M30. Page 1114 of operator manual #2

[@BeltraKTM]

Hello, you haven't to set the DNC program any times...I've made this mistake in past. In your master program, or MDI, call M198 and it load this 1001 program without entering all these menu

[@jodyolivent8481]

I cant even take Ed serious without the lab coat. :)

[@MrOscarjw]

You can hold rapid to home each axis faster.

[@CR3W1SH03S]

You don't need to open and close the door to lock it, you can just hit the door button. There are keep relays to set the machine to open the door at M30 as well as allowing you to open the door without needing to go into handle/jog mode. You can also set the machine up to not boot to Quick NC. There is a setting in Quick NC for that. Homing is slow because you have the machine in a low rapid. You can also hit either the + or - buttons while homing and the machine will home in the correct direction. To enable password write all you need to do is go to MDI and make it a 1. I'm pretty sure you don't need to enable password write in order to change the IO channel just be in MDI. I usually leave the work light on so there is no need to switch it on and off in Quick NC. I also just use the M codes to turn the chip flush on and off. If you need someone to come in that really knows their way around the control to get you sorted out with much easier ways to run the machine, I am actually an Applications Eng/Field Service tech for your area. Maruka USA in Pine Brook, NJ (my office) is your local distributor for these machines. Give us a call and we can come out and help you. We will also be your point of contact for any service work you may need.

[@jamescarter9147]

For machines that don't have Network options you can sometimes get a WiFi Compact Flash card which you can connect to remotely and transfer files over the network onto the card. This only works if the machine can read FAT formatted cards, newer machines (>2010ish) should be compatible. Worth a try they are cheap on eBay/Amazon.

[@willardSpirit]

First time running a robodrill at a fanuc training facility and it was awesome! So fast!

[@ianporter7025]

I'm 3 minutes in and my mouth is open, thinking to myself WHAT THE F**K?

[@multiHappyHacker]

Wow that is actually insane. My old Fanuc 16T is way better, and I thought it was a little bit button-pushy.

[@mjoconr]

So just as bad as my CNC Lathe with a 21i-T Controller.

[@bhavarkumavat3202]

Mmmmm feels like a Brick , That control really does not wants any human to control it , hmm quite a controller..... Hehe that was senseless 🙃

[@rameshmuthu4871]

Please upload how to create how to make drilling and face mlling program

[@serdaraytemiz]

The machinists are thanking fanuc for increasing their pay....

[@stevegrimeszz]

We disable every door lock that ever existed

[@EvanZalys]

For what it's worth, you get used to it.

[@capnthepeafarmer]

FANUC is a classic example of a company too stuck in their ways. The FANUC controller most people are familiar with was developed in 1972. Let that sink in, nearly 50 years ago. It does have benefits as since it's the same old technology it's super cheap, and if you worked on a FANUC in the 70s, guess what, you're still an expert. The price to entry is poor customer support, paid documentation, a walled garden of programming and training. And what you're seeing in industry more machine builders are using custom UI with different controllers because their customers have been screaming at them for decades to make their stuff easier to use.

[@cheif10thumbs]

So do you give the "Hairy Eyeball" to the phrase "What The Fanuc?" I just hear that little boy giggle in Ed's voice when he says Fanuc. #BecauseWeAreAll12

[@Harrstein]

Damn even a TNC355 works more intuitive. What makes fanuc so desirable for a lot of machines? Just cost and hope you never program outside CAM?

[@manuelmartinez4687]

LoL a lot of step to charge program never like me.fanuc control for me very fast control to select like mitsubishi mazak haas very fast and make chips.

[@johnscott1981]

Our machines are robodrills D21LiB5 little lighter machine with a pallet changer attached to it. Very fast machines though.

[@renatomartinez3183]

I thought after using fusion 360 or any other similar program,the press buttons interface through G code was death.😭 Apparently not😭

[@johnscott1981]

Weird how on yalls 31i b5 you don't get the option to go to NC operations screen. Its a newer interface than the maintence operations screen which is what you are on. Same interface on old ass fanucs. Ours here at our shop allows us to go to NC operations to change anything as far as programs and the we have a main menu button that allows us to alternate interfaces between maintence and NC

[@chevyshea]

Wow, thanks for sharing! As someone looking start a machine shop, I now know what machine I will not be buying!

[@johngriffin618]

Remember back in the early XP days when you had to change your theme to the older win98 or win2k theme because it used less CPU? That's what I think of when I see that UI. Goddamn they need an update.

[@AlexKall]

They have updated it both on machines and robot controllers.

[@interfunklt]

I think there is Wifi CF cards, so you can try that for uploading programs.

[@davidawaters]

Good video. Wow that control is painful compared to Haas NGC.

[@Luzgar]

This is some straight up user hostile interface.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

I wish I could afford a new fanuc 31-i controller

[@bkailua1224]

Kind of reminds me of working with MS-DOS back in the 80's

[@jmjshowchannel8984]

Love the content really nice job 👌🏾😎

[@OriginalJetForMe]

What a POS controller. What is this, 1980??? What would the network option have been like?

[@ericwhittaker3570]

The network systems are actually really good. This series of UI is admittedly pretty bad. One you get the hang of it, it's fine though. It's just bass ackward in most every way. Fanuc emphasizes function over form. Our Robodrill kills it every day and has done so since we bought it. Great tools.

[@BeltraKTM]

Unfortunately you can't run programs in DNC with your USB card! It works only for transfering programs in CNC library memory, and for backup. But the standard memory is only of some MByte...so you can't put your CAM programs!...But you can buy an expansion card from Fanuc

[@jonathann8104]

Ummm, Try mdi program m198 p0000; Cycle start 0000= desired program number. * From a machine set to read from memory card.

[@Peter_Riis_DK]

Is this some sort of joke, or didi you really buy a crappy old fashioned machine like that?

[@AlexKall]

They said 2016 in another video, since then Fanuc has made a new interface.

[@aarondcmedia9585]

Very instructive, thank you.

[@mitsmillman1652]

Been like this since 2000

[@BrandonGlenn8867]

We almost bought one of these. Glad we went with Haas instead.

[@AlexKall]

These are awesome machines but yeah the user interface was a bit lacking but has improved in the last years.

[@Snarlerx]

Fanuc sucks forever.

[@importanttingwei7747]

Agree

[@dividingbyzerofpv6748]

USB programming looks like a giant pain

[@Luzgar]

Why is ergonomics of professional things always so atrocious? It is not technical constrains, it seems to be just bad design from the interface all the way to the software.

[@VanguardSys]

that sucked

[@VMX42AUS]

How about an operating system designed to be used by HUMANS...not some kind of mutant who loves pressing buttons. The RoboDrill looks like an awesome small machine...but the Fanuc controller is a deal breaker. In this day and age there is no excuse for an overly complicated controller with no intuitive features. Simply mind numbing. Imagine how many RoboDrills they would sell if they featured a modern controller. The contrast between the Fanuc and the Datron controllers is crazy...one is 21st century and the other is Fanuc...👎👎👎

[@AlexKall]

The new machines have a better interface.

[@omniryx1]

I hope your vendor will let you return this bizarre POS or exchange it for another one designed by humans for use by humans.

[@poorchava]

Holy crap... Being for 10+ in electronics/embedded design, this is one of the worst UI's I've ever seen... And I thought that LinuxCNC was clunky...