Fanuc's own out-of-the-box machine monitoring software — native FOCAS for Fanuc CNCs plus OPC UA and MTConnect for third-party machines
Weighted average across 16 categories
Fanuc MT-Link i is a fully scalable, out-of-the-box machine monitoring solution built and sold by Fanuc America — capable of monitoring and managing data from one to two thousand machines. Fanuc CNCs connect via FOCAS (Fanuc's native protocol), Fanuc robots connect via Robot Interface, and third-party devices and machines connect via OPC UA and MTConnect respectively. This makes MT-Link i a broader platform than its Fanuc branding implies.
The system automatically collects alarm history, macro variables, signal history, servo and spindle motor currents and temperatures, battery and fan status, and feed rate overrides. Legacy Fanuc CNCs without native Ethernet are supported through an Ethernet I/O converter. Multi-site deployments are unified through the MT-Link i Integration Server, and custom web screens can be built using open-source tooling. Data is stored in MongoDB.
There is no native vibration sensor hardware, and predictive maintenance is derived from motor current and temperature trends rather than AI-driven fault detection. Pricing requires direct engagement with Fanuc America or an authorized integrator; no public pricing is available.
Platform fit rated by sector and use case.
Native FOCAS connectivity provides the deepest possible data access for Fanuc CNCs and robots — no third-party translation layer.
OPC UA and MTConnect support for third-party devices and machines makes MT-Link i viable beyond pure Fanuc environments.
On-premise deployment with no mandatory cloud dependency suits aerospace, defense, and other security-sensitive manufacturing environments.
Ethernet I/O converter extends coverage to older Fanuc CNCs without native network connectivity.
No dedicated vibration sensors and no AI-driven PdM. Motor current and temperature data provide partial health signals but do not replace a condition monitoring platform.
| Feature | Fanuc MT-Link i | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Monitoring | ||
Fanuc CNC Connectivity Native FOCAS protocol |
Yes — OEM Native (FOCAS) | Fanuc CNCs connect via FOCAS; deepest native data access for Fanuc controls |
Third-Party Machine Connectivity OPC UA & MTConnect |
Yes — OPC UA & MTConnect | Third-party devices via OPC UA; third-party machines via MTConnect protocol |
Legacy CNC Support Older Fanuc controls |
Yes — via Ethernet I/O converter | Ethernet I/O converter extends coverage to legacy Fanuc CNCs without native network capability |
Machine State & Alarms Real-time CNC data |
Yes | Real-time equipment status, alarm history, signal history, feed rate override, battery and fan status |
OEE Tracking Production effectiveness |
Yes | High-fidelity OEE derived directly from CNC controller data; no operator input required |
Scalability Fleet size |
1 to 2,000 machines | Single-site or multi-site enterprise deployments via MT-Link i Integration Server |
| Commercial Terms | ||
Pricing License model |
No public pricing — custom quote | Sourced directly from Fanuc America or authorized integrators; license-based per machine |
Deployment Architecture |
On-premise | Native on-premise; web browser and tablet access; custom web screens via open-source tooling |
Hardware Ownership Equipment model |
Licensed software — no SaaS | Software license; no subscription-only model |
User Accounts Seat pricing |
Site license | Site-license model; web browser access for unlimited team members |
Evaluated from the frontline technician, plant manager, and operations director perspective.
Technicians access alarm history, servo and spindle motor currents, temperatures, and signal history directly from Fanuc controllers via FOCAS — plus third-party machines via OPC UA and MTConnect.
MT-Link i scales from a single CNC to a 2,000-machine enterprise deployment via the Integration Server, covering Fanuc CNCs natively and third-party equipment via OPC UA and MTConnect.
MT-Link i provides native FOCAS depth for Fanuc assets while accommodating third-party machines via OPC UA and MTConnect — reducing the need for multiple monitoring platforms.