FANUC to Introduce FS500i-A CNC & Advanced Automation at EMO 2025

“Automation has a name: FANUC.” That’s the motto of this year’s FANUC booth at the EMO 2025 exhibition in Hanover, Germany (22-26 September). An increasing number of manufacturers from a wide range of industries are turning to FANUC technology – a trend that will be clearly visible at the trade fair.

Visitors to stand D30 in hall 6 will gain an insight into FANUC's technology as a reliable partner for machine users, manufacturers and integrators. The focus will be on the presentation of a brand-new CNC series, the FS500i-A. A spectacular ‘cube’ made up of video displays will provide a dynamic 3D experience.

FANUC’s latest CNC delivers huge advances in user interface, process, digital and network technologies. For instance, machine users benefit from 2.7 times higher CPU performance, allowing faster cycle times, enhanced 5-axis simultaneous capabilities and better surface quality. Machine builders gain from support for a wider variety of machine configurations, while system integrators can take advantage of easier integration with digital technology to aid Industry 4.0 transformation projects.




Simulate to accumulate
The FS500iA is part of FANUC’s broad factory automation offer. By way of example, machine users will discover they can simulate and test all FANUC CNC-controlled machining applications digitally. An interactive display on the booth is set to involve high-performance milling, highlighting how manufacturers can generate real-time digital representations of machining processes using powerful FANUC software solutions that include advanced G-code simulation and Smart Digital Twin technology. FANUC will also show its FIELD system Basic Package data platform. New features include AI Servo Monitor software to detect anomalies and help maintain machines, while users can also benefit from a more flexible adoption process using either FANUC’s preconfigured FIELD BASE Pro hardware or a Virtual Machine installed on their own IT infrastructure. Among the factory automation highlights for machine builders will be the enhancement of FANUC iPC (industrial PC) performance following the introduction of 11th Gen Intel Core processor technology and Windows 11 support. Importantly, both the FANUC iPC and new FS500i-A CNC fulfil the IEC 62443 international cybersecurity standard for industrial automation and control systems. A core FANUC development area is the generation of energy savings. FANUC’s new αi-D servo and spindle drives provide a pertinent example, where adoption typically delivers a 10-15% reduction in power loss against previous generation drive system, as well as up to 30% less space requirements.

Unmasking the future of machine tools
The machine tool highlight will be the first European showing of FANUC’s new ROBODRILL C series machining centre, which offers higher accuracy thanks to improved thermal displacement measures and compensation. Machine users can also take advantage of a new higher acceleration spindle, improved ease of use and more energy savings via FANUC’s new αi-D servo and spindle drives. Visitors can gain a glimpse of the stunning results achievable with FANUC’s advanced CNC technology and precise machining centres when observing a ROBODRILL simulating the 5-axis machining of an aluminium Samurai mask. FANUC and its partners scanned the original mask at Samurai Museum Berlin, and now the ROBODRILL can produce the freeform Samurai mask in a 28-hour cycle. As a special highlight, visitors have the chance to win a finely machined Samurai mask of their own. Another ROBODRILL will perform the live power skiving of gears with a turning function in four axes. The display demonstrates the efficient manufacturing of small gears, such as those for pumps or electric bicycles, in a compact set up with multi-axis functionality. For visitors with an interest in the latest wire EDM technology, the FANUC booth will host a ROBOCUT α-C400iC automated with a FANUC CRX collaborative robot (cobot) and FANUC’s reliable AWF 3 (Automatic Wire Feed) technology.




Reaching new horizons
Among the robot demonstrations will be a robot milling cell featuring the M-810/270-27B, making its debut appearance in Europe. This high-precision, high-rigidity robot will use its spindle-mounted end effector to perform the high-speed milling and drilling (with coolant) of a cast steel part. Support comes from FANUC’s new R-50iA robot controller and its high-accuracy motion, presenting a cost-effective machining solution as one of the supplementary methods to the traditional machining process. Demonstrations of new robots for large, heavy parts will also take centre stage. Here, FANUC will provide a ‘teaser’ of its imminent long-arm M-1000/550F-46A with 550 kg payload and 4.6 m reach, which will simulate the exchange of automotive parts to a large die-casting machine. Adjacent to this display, visitors are set to see the new M-950iA/500 with 500 kg payload loading and unloading a large steel cylinder to a machine tool. Highlights in the field of collaborative robots include various applications and cells realised with FANUC’s CRX series using intelligent functions such image processing and force sensors. One cell will demonstrate real-time visual tracking in a painting process: a cobot with iRVision automatically loads and unloads the traversing rail of a paint line without interruption. Also certain to capture attention is an interactive display where visitors can see a ROBOGUIDE simulation of the FANUC booth through a virtual reality (VR) lens.

At EMO, FANUC once again underscores its role as a leading partner to the manufacturing industry – not only through its advanced technology, but also by offering the industry's best total cost of ownership (TCO), thanks to a comprehensive range of services. An experienced team of FANUC sales and engineering experts will be present at the booth to discuss customised automation solutions tailored to visitors’ specific production challenges.

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