Connections

A Connection is a bridge between your machine, the Gateway software, and Fusion Machine Connect in the Fusion web client that lets you receive live data from and send data to machines on the shop floor. Connections enable real-time monitoring of machine performance and automated file transfers, streamlining your manufacturing operations.

Prerequisites

Before you set up a machine connection, complete these steps:

• Purchase a license: You must have an active Fusion Machine Connect license.
• Create and connect a gateway: Establish a gateway on the shop floor computer and connect it to the network.
• Create a machine profile: Each machine needs a corresponding machine profile in Fusion Machine Connect.
• Assign a license to the machine profile: The machine profile must have an active license assigned to it.

Connection types

There are two types of connections you can set up for each machine:

• Data collection: Lets you receive machine status and event data from the CNC machine so you can monitor machine performance and track operations.
• File transfer: Lets you to send NC code directly to the CNC machine. This connection streamlines your workflow by eliminating manual file transfer steps.

You can set up one or both connection types depending on your needs and the machine's compatibility.

Machine connection details

To set up a connection between your machine to Fusion Machine Connect, you need to find and record connection details for the specific machine you want to connect.

For machines that connect over a network (most connection types), you need to gather:

• IP Address or hostname: The network address of your machine controller. You find this in your machine's controller settings.
• Port number: The TCP/IP port number the machine controller uses for communication.
• Additional details: Some connection types require extra information such as:
  • Server names for OPC UA connections
  • Network paths for file shares (UNC paths)
  • Authentication credentials (username and password)

For machines that use serial connections (such as Haas Classic), you need to gather:

• COM Port: The serial port on the Gateway computer connected to the machine.
• Baud rate: The data transfer speed setting on the machine controller.
• Number of bits: The character size setting (typically 7 or 8 bits).
• Stop bits: The stop bit configuration (typically 1 or 2).
• Parity: The parity setting (typically None, Even, or Odd).
• Flow control: The flow control method (Software or Hardware).

You find these settings in your machine controller's configuration menus, usually in an I/O or communication settings section.

Machine type	Controller type	Models	IP Address	Port number	Additional details required to set up connection
Fanuc	Fanuc FOCAS	The following Fanuc controlled machines have Fanuc FOCAS enabled: 0i 0i-T 0i-TC 18i 18i-T 31i 32i			Path: Sets the network location of the file share. This is the root directory for file transfers.
Haas	HaasClassic	Classic			COM Port: Enter the serial COM port to which the CNC machine is connected. Baud rate: Select the rate of data transfer for your machine. Number of bits: Select the number of bits used to represent one character. Stop bits: Select the number of stop bits. Parity: Select the parity bit. Flow control: Select the method for which the serial connection controls the amount of data transmitted. Preset: Sets the MTConnect configuration with a preset.
Haas	Haas Ethernet	Next generation
Haas	MTConnect	Haas machines with MTConnect enabled.
Heidenhain	Heidenhain DCOM	Heidenhain controlled machines with DCOM enabled: AtekM CNCPilot6xx GrindPlusNck ITnc ManualPlus MillPlus MullPlusIt MillPlusItNck TNC128 TNC320 TNC6xx			CNC type: Sets the machine type. Protocol: Sets the connection protocol type.
Mazak	MTConnect	Mazak controlled machines with MTConnect enabled.
Siemens	OPC UA	Siemens controlled machines with OPC-UA enabled.			Server name: Sets the specific server name running on the network address. Set machine credentials: Lets you then enter your user name and password to authenticate the machine.