Expanded CNC Data Integration for Industrial Automation

Softing Industrial Automation has released version 5.60 of its dataFEED OPC Suite, a middleware platform for industrial data integration that bridges operational technology (OT) with information technology (IT) and cloud architectures. The update adds native connectivity to FANUC CNC controllers and extended support for MQTT Version 5, making the platform more applicable for manufacturing analytics, monitoring, and advanced IIoT implementations in discrete and process industries.

Broader CNC Data Access Without Program Modification
Industrial systems increasingly depend on timely access to machine tool data for condition monitoring, cycle optimization, and predictive maintenance. Version 5.60 extends the suite’s controller connectivity to include modern FANUC CNC controllers — such as the 30i, 31i, 32i, 35i series, 0i models, and Power Motion i class — through the manufacturer’s FOCAS-2 interface. This enables extraction of process and status data directly from the machine without altering existing CNC control programs or requiring additional FANUC licenses. Data from these controllers can be served via OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA), OPC Classic, or MQTT protocols into analytics, MES, or cloud systems.

The ability to read machine variables without program changes reduces integration effort and risk, particularly in brownfield environments where original control logic should remain untouched. It also aligns with typical industrial connectivity patterns where middleware mediates between diverse controller ecosystems and enterprise applications.

Support for MQTT Version 5 in IIoT Workflows
MQTT has become a cornerstone protocol for lightweight, publish/subscribe messaging in IIoT and cloud architectures. dataFEED OPC Suite’s expanded MQTT support now includes MQTT Version 5, which introduces features such as enhanced error reporting, shared subscriptions, and improved topic handling that are relevant to scalable, distributed systems. The update also simplifies handling of message payloads, arrays, and automatic data type conversions, enabling more flexible integration with MQTT brokers and publishers in edge or cloud environments.

These enhancements facilitate robust ingestion of machine and sensor data into cloud platforms, historian systems, or analytic services without custom translation layers. A new diagnostic data download function further assists engineers during commissioning and maintenance activities.

Integrated Data Integration Platform
The dataFEED OPC Suite is positioned as an all-in-one platform that combines OPC UA, OPC Classic, MQTT, and REST connectivity with store-and-forward mechanisms and data preprocessing capabilities. It targets machine builders, production enterprises, system integrators, and IT/cloud service providers seeking consistent, secure, standards-based integration of production floor data into higher-level IT and cloud systems. The additions in version 5.60 are delivered as part of the existing Extended license and are available immediately.

In practical terms, the update supports:

By addressing both CNC data access and modern messaging standards, version 5.60 of dataFEED OPC Suite advances the platform’s utility in automotive data ecosystems and digital supply chain architectures where standardized, secure, and extensible data flows are prerequisites for operational insights.

www.industrial.softing.com