Robot Software

PROFINET for FANUC robots delivers fast, deterministic, and scalable communication that seamlessly integrates robots, PLCs, safety, and energy management into a single industrial Ethernet network. With PROFIsafe‑certified functional safety and PROFIenergy‑enabled power optimization, it reduces wiring, simplifies design, and improves uptime while maintaining the highest performance and safety standards. The result is a smarter, safer, and more efficient factory built for flexible, modern automation.

Remote Motion Interface (RMI) allows an external device — such as a PLC, PC, or vision system — to directly control FANUC robot motion by sending teach pendant (TP) instructions to the robot controller. The controller generates a dedicated TP program and continuously appends user-supplied motion commands during execution.

This enables real-time, adaptive motion control without the need for pre-defined robot paths, making RMI ideal for applications that require dynamic responsiveness such as vision-guided robotics, AI-driven processes, or flexible automation systems. By offloading motion decision-making to an external system, RMI enhances integration capability, reduces programming complexity, and supports highly adaptable manufacturing environments.

RMI facilitates external control of the robot via a PC by leveraging TCP/IP socket messaging and JSON-formatted commands for seamless communication. The PC can send a robot path to the controller as a sequence of robot waypoints. The PC can also perform IO operations, call other programs, or get controller status.

Because the FANUC motion planner is being used for the motion control, the motion parameters that define blending, acceleration, etc., are automatically managed for maximum performance. Additionally, most other software options, including Collision Guard and DCS are fully compatible with RMI.

Advanced Pendant functions provide remote browser-based access to selected pendant-style screens and web browser functionality. These features can support remote navigation, monitoring, and controlled interaction from an approved PC or HMI. PC jog IP address settings help restrict which device can connect for remote pendant use, while controller mode and pendant leadership requirements help maintain operational control.

ROBOGUIDE V10 is the go-to solution for companies seeking to streamline automation design and implementation. Building on the existing industry-leading offline robot programming and simulation software, ROBOGUIDE V10 creates programs and simulates robotic workcells in 3D – eliminating the need for physical prototypes – while reducing costs, improving accuracy, and optimizing automation layouts.

ROBOGUIDE V10 is designed to meet the evolving needs of robotics simulation, offering enhanced performance, user experience, and advanced capabilities. Discover how ROBOGUIDE V10 can transform your operations today.

PaintPRO is a graphical offline programming solution for developing and validating robotic paint paths prior to production deployment. It is specifically designed to generate paths compatible with FANUC PaintTool™, helping ensure smooth integration from simulation to execution. This enables faster setup, improved path quality, and reduced commissioning time in automotive and industrial paint applications.

WeldPRO enables users to simulate robotic arc welding in a 3D environment while developing complete workcells using imported tooling and workpiece CAD models. Users can define weld paths with proper torch angles and process parameters using familiar FANUC programming methods, making it accessible to those experienced with TP-based programming. The ability to visualize reach, access, and sequencing in a realistic cell layout helps identify potential issues early in the development process.

Offline-developed programs and system settings can be transferred directly to the production robot, reducing on-site teach time and installation effort. This supports faster deployment, improved path consistency, and more predictable startup performance in arc welding and fabrication applications.

The FANUC ROS 2 driver is a software interface that connects FANUC CRX Collaborative Robots to the ROS 2 ecosystem. It empowers users to leverage open-source tools for advanced automation, research, and industrial deployment. The driver supports high-frequency control, MoveIt integration, and simulation capabilities, enabling flexible deployment across research and production environments.

ROS, or Robot Operating System, which is a tool for application development commonly found in academia, has been gaining wider acceptance in the industrial space. Accordingly, FANUC offers this option to integrate the into this development ecosystem.

ROS is simply an SDK for building robot applications. The ROS ecosystem is a collection of code that can monitor and control many different types of devices. In addition to robots of both the industrial and mobile variety, devices that can integrate into ROS include cameras, laser sensors, and hardware components such as conveyors or custom machines. Simulation, visualization, AI, and motion planning software modules are also able to be utilized in a ROS application. 

The implementation of the ROS driver on the FANUC robot consists of three different software options. The first, Remote Motion, also known as RMI, is used for the external motion control. The HMI Device option is also required. This option uses Modbus TCP to communicate status and other I/O between the robot and the ROS driver. Finally, there is the FANUC ROS 2 Interface. This option serves as the license component and allows the ROS 2 driver to connect to the robot.

The FANUC ROS 2 client software is available for free download from the FANUC GitHub. The driver consists of a binary version of the action server/​hardware interface. Robot description files and MoveIt2 configuration files are also included for all supported robot models. For convienence, the FANUC ​“External Control Package” software option includes the necessary robot software.

When SCEP Client (S610) is installed, it is possible to create an internal server certificate signed by CA by inquiring through a SCEP server. The internal server certificate can then be used in encrypted communications, such as HTTPS server. It is also possible to extend the expiry dates of X.509 certificates, delete revoked X.509 certificates by checking Certificate Revocation List (CRL), and renew the internal server certificate, through the SCEP server.

Allows the robot to leverage the HTTPS client to send encrypted messages to the ZDT Data Collector.

Servo Torch is a fully-integrated, servo-controlled, wrist-mounted, four-roll (4) ​“Pull” wire feeder controlled by the ARC Mate® series robots. The design is optimized to feed aluminum and soft wire. Integration of the wire feed motor with the motion control of the robot results in a close coupling of the welding process.

Allows the robot to act as an SFTP client using Secure Shell (SSH) protocol to encrypt and authenticate controller file transfers with an SFTP Server.

Allows the robot to act as an SFTP server using SSH (Secure Shell) protocol to encrypt and authenticate files during transfer with an SFTP client.

FANUC America’s Single and Dual Axis Servo Positioners are high performance positioners designed to provide a flexible, reliable, and cost effective solution to automation integrators for part and tool manipulation during application.

The SKS Weld Equipment Library enables ArcTool communication with SKS welding power supplies over supported networks. Using configured interfaces helps shorten integration time and supports consistent execution of welding schedules.

Socket Messaging enables KAREL applications on the robot controller to communicate with external devices using TCP/IP socket connections. This gives application developers a flexible way to exchange data with PCs, servers, HMIs, or custom systems using application-specific protocols. The function supports client and server style communication through host communication tags, making it suitable for custom integration tasks where standard file transfer or browser access is not enough.

The robot adapts its motion based on contact forces or variation. This improves fit-up accuracy and reduces fixture precision requirements.

Spline Motion defines a path that smoothly passes through taught points. This feature allows the robot to maintain smooth speed and motion through complex curves which are programmed easily using traditional TP motion points. It is especially beneficial in applications such as trimming, dispensing, welding, and finishing where path smoothness and motion quality directly impact process results.

SpotTool+ provides a standardized software platform for high-volume body shop applications including welding, dispensing, and material handling. It supports consistent programming practices while integrating with common motion, safety, and process options.

Stream Motion allows external devices to send real-time trajectory data directly to the robot controller for execution. This enables motion control for paths generated dynamically by external CPUs and software, rather than predefined in TP programs. It is particularly useful for applications where traditional automation — with fixed, repeatable paths — is not suitable, such as real-time 3D vision-guided processes, adaptive machining, and advanced or research environments requiring flexible, externally driven motion.

This improves usability and simplifies operation for robots without a mode switch by enabling mode switching directly from the Teach Pendant.

The Thick Plate Weld Package combines touch sensing and through-arc seam tracking to improve accuracy on heavy or large weldments. These capabilities help locate joints and maintain alignment despite part variation.

Through Arc Seam Tracking (TAST) automatically adjusts the robot’s vertical and lateral trajectory to compensate for part warping or misplacement. Often used with Touch Sensing to find the start of the weld joint, TAST measures feedback current and adjusts the robot’s path to keep the weld in the joint center. 

Torch Guard adds functionality to help control and protect welding torches during operation. It helps improve reliability and reduce torch-related downtime.

Touch Sensing uses a sensor, such as a laser sensor, to provide non-contact compensation for part displacement by changing a weld path automatically, eliminating the need to touch up points manually.