Using FOCAS in DataXchange

Focas Communication as a Source

Setting the Fanuc Focus communication as a source will be the most common configuration because this will acquire information about the control.

Setting up Fanuc Focas as a Source is done by going to the DataXchange tab. Select the associated equipment in the tree list, then press the Communication button in the ribbon bar.

Select Add or Modify in the Communication Information window, leave the Communication Role set as Source and select Fanuc Focas Host from the Communication Type drop down.

After closing the dialog, the IP Address or Host name needs to be specified along with the TCP Port. The default port used for Focas is typically 8193.

The Poll Rate of 5 seconds can be modified if needed. This is the rate at which DataXchange will request information from the control.

Press the Finish button to save the changes.

Focas Communication as a Target

DataXchange can be configured to send information to the Focas control. An individual bit can be a single PMC address.

Setting up Fanuc Focas as a Target is done by going to the DataXchange tab. Select the associated equipment in the tree list, then press the Communication button in the ribbon bar.

Select Add or Modify in the Communication Information window, set the Communication Role to Target and select Fanuc Focas Host from the Communication Type drop down.

After closing the dialog, the IP Address or Host name needs to be specified along with the TCP Port. The default port used for Focas is typically 8193.

The Series of the control must be specified since each series has different PMC address structures.

Specify the PMC Address to write the data along with the Bit that should be set.

Press the Finish button to save the changes.

Default Focas Expressions

Here is an example of a few FOCAS expressions that come predefined along with a description and the logic statement used to evaluate the expression.

Standard Cycle Start

The defined cycle start signal will be sent from DataXchange when the Predator PCSDB machine is not in cycle and the Fanuc control is in cycle.

([PCSDB.general_equipment_status]!=[PCSDB.CYCLING]) AND ([Focas.cycle_status]=[Focas.CYCLING])

Standard Cycle End

The defined cycle end signal will be sent from DataXchange when the Predator PCSDB machine is in cycle and the Fanuc control is not in cycle.

([PCSDB.general_equipment_status]=[PCSDB.CYCLING]) AND ([Focas.cycle_status]=[Focas.IDLE])

Custom Expressions

Custom Expression can be created using the Expression Builder using predefined variables or custom defined variables. Click here for more detail.