FANUC controllers are the heart of CNC machines, and correct parameter settings are what let them reach maximum performance. In this guide we cover the most critical parameters, functions, and setup procedures across different FANUC control series in detail.
📌 REFERENCE POINT (HOME) SETTINGS
1815 – APC and APZ (Reference Point Establishment)
Applies to: All CNC lathes and machining centers
This parameter is used to establish the reference point (home position) on machines equipped with an absolute encoder (Absolute Pulse Coder).
How to do it:
1. Power off the machine
2. Using the handwheel, move the X and Z axes to the reference point
3. In parameter 1815, set the APC and APZ bits (bits 4 and 5) to “1”
4. Power the machine off and back on
⚠️ Warning: After a battery replacement the APC and APZ bits can reset. If the reference point is lost, this procedure must be repeated.
1850 – Grid Shift
Applies to: All FANUC controls
Used to fine-tune the reference point. It adds an extra shift to the reference point equal to the value entered. For Grid Shift to be active, parameter 1002#2 must be “1”.
🎯 DECIMAL POINT SETTINGS
3401#0 (DPI) – Decimal Point Suppression
Applies to: 0i-MB controls
Removes the requirement to use a decimal point (.) in FANUC programming.
- DPI = 1: Values entered without a decimal point are read as mm/1000 (microns)
- DPI = 0: The standard decimal-point requirement remains in effect
P.15#7 – Cancel Decimal Point in Program
Used to cancel decimal points written during the program.
🔄 4TH AXIS (ROTARY AXIS) SETTINGS
4th Axis Addition Parameters
Applies to: 0i-MB / 0i-MC controls
| Parameter | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9900 | 4 | Number of CNC-controlled axes |
| 8130 | 4 | Total number of controlled axes |
| 1010 | 4 | Number of CNC-controlled axes |
Note: The correct Motor ID (2020) must be entered and the machine must be restarted.
4th Axis Cancellation
Applies to: 0i-MC control
- Bit 7 of 1005 and 1012 = “1” → 4th axis disabled
- Bit 7 of 1005 and 1012 = “0” → 4th axis enabled
4th Axis 360° Rollover
1006#0 = 1 → After a 360° revolution the 4th axis resets the machine position value.
18i-MB 4th Axis Commissioning
Bits #0 and #3 of 3115 must be “0” (3115=00000000).
🏗️ HIGH-SPEED MACHINING (AICC)
G5.1 Q1 / G5.1 Q0
Applies to: 0i-MC control
A high-precision machining mode that automatically reduces feedrate at corners.
M03 S... (after the spindle reaches speed)
G5.1 Q1 (high-speed mode active)
... machining code ...
G5.1 Q0 (mode off - before M30)🎛️ SPINDLE SETTINGS
M19 Spindle Orientation Setting
M19 setting parameters across different control series:
| Control | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0-MD | 6577 | Spindle positioning setting |
| 0i-MB | 4077 | M19 position setting |
| Mitsubishi M70 | 3108 or 3107 | Orientation setting |
| Mitsubishi M65S | 3207 (Setup → Spindle) | M19 setting |
When adjusting with 4077: it works over 4096 pulses. For a 90° change, add or subtract 1024 from the current value.
4030 – Spindle Soft Start/Stop
Applies to: Twinhorn machines
If the spindle knocks during start-up or stopping, set 4030 = 12000.
3735 – Spindle Minimum Speed Setting
Applies to: 0i-MD Twinhorn VP 1500
Minimum clamping speed of the spindle motor.
- Usually takes a value between 0 and 5
- Example: 20 is entered and checked as a percentage
🛠️ TOOL CHANGE SETTINGS
Tool Numbering (0-MD Control)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| D483 | Tool number in the spindle |
| D484 | Tool number in the magazine |
| D485 – D504 | From tool 1 to tool 20 |
Turret Reference Establishment (Lathe)
- PMM parameter 11#0 = 1 → Establishes the turret reference (first set to “0” and rotate the turret, then set to “1”)
D 401#0 – Turret Position Loss (Goodway TB 150)
This bit becomes “1” when the turret loses position. Setting it to “0” allows the turret to rotate again.
🖥️ DISPLAY AND LANGUAGE SETTINGS
Changing the Language
| Control | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 18-M | 3102 (all bits 0) | Switches to English |
| 0i-MC (Rifa) | 3102-3119-3190, all bits 0 | English menu |
| Mitsubishi M70 | 1043 = 1 | English |
Turning the Graphic Screen On/Off
3112#0 (SGD)
- = 0: The graphic screen is shown
- = 1: The Servo Waveform Diagnosis screen is shown instead (the graphic screen does not appear)
3123 – Screen Saver
Parameter 3123 sets the screen-saver timeout in minutes.
8940 – Custom Name on the Startup Screen
To change the name shown on startup, enter a 10-character text string in parameter 8940.
🔧 BALLSCREW BACKLASH SETTINGS
535 – X-Axis Ballscrew Backlash
536 – Z-Axis Ballscrew Backlash
Applies to: 0-T control
Enter the value in microns (µm). It compensates for the play that occurs when the axis reverses direction.
🔌 DATA SERVER CONNECTION SETTINGS
Accuway Data Server (M198 Command)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| 3030 | 3 |
| 20 | 5 |
Twinhorn 0i-MB Data Server
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| 9990#3 | 1 |
| 9988#4 | 1 |
⚙️ OTHER IMPORTANT PARAMETERS
5015 – Inner Diameter Adjustment Parameter (0i-TB Lathe)
- Subtracted if smaller, added if larger
5016 – Outer Diameter Adjustment Parameter (0i-TB Lathe)
- Subtracted if smaller, added if larger
1466 – Remove Pass Dwell (0i-TC Lathe)
Setting 1466 = 0 removes the dwell while taking a pass.
2496 – Chuck Open/Close Time (0i-TB Lathe)
Changing the timer value shortens the chuck open/close time. Example: 2496 = 496
6710 – Part Counting with M90 (0i-TC Lathe)
Set 6710 = 90. Writing the M90 command above the M99 line enables part counting on Focus machines.
3402#7 – Automatic Mode After M30 (0i-TC Lathe)
When = 1, seeing M30 or pressing Reset makes the machine automatically accept the G96 and G00 codes.
1401#6 – Dry Run Rapid Speed (0i-MC)
When set to = 1, the rapid speed can be controlled in Dry Run mode.
6200#7 – Dry Run
Settings related to the Dry Run function.
518 and 519 – Idle (Rapid) Axis Speeds
Define the rapid axis movement speeds.
60#5 – Motor Load Page
When set to = 1, the motor load page opens.
907#3 – Enable 3rd Axis (Machining Centers)
= 1 enables the 3rd axis.
22#0 and 22#1 – Absolute Encoder References (TA 32)
After the references are set:
- 22#0 = 1 → X axis accepts the reference
- 22#1 = 1 → Z axis accepts the reference.
569#0 – System Reset to Start
On vertical machines, if the movement is interrupted mid-way at the tool-change position, set = 1 to return the system to the start.
2113 – Axis Motor Setting
Used for axis motor settings.
5231, 5232, 5233 – Rigid Tapping (M29) Parameters
Gear-ratio settings for rigid tapping:
- 5231: Position coder tooth count (1st gear)
- 5232: Position coder tooth count (2nd gear)
5115 – G83/G84/G73 Safety Clearance (0i-MD Twinhorn VP 1500)
Safety clearance setting for peck-drilling cycles. Set a maximum of 2.00.
3104#6 – Tool Length Display (18i-MB)
= 1 → Subtracts the tool length and shows the remaining distance.
3706#6 – Tool Length Display (0i-MC)
Shows the tool length without adding it.
K1.2 – Disable Way Lubrication Pressure Switch (Twinhorn)
= 1 → Disables the way lubrication unit’s pressure switch.
🏭 RIFA MACHINE-SPECIFIC SETTINGS
Dual Pallet Position Settings
Pallet position setting (in programs O9001 and O9002):
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| 6954 | Y -0.1 (98700 is written as 98600 instead) |
| 6932 | Y +0.1 |
| 6931 | X +0.2 |
| 6951 | X -0.2 |
Tool Change Position:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| 6950 | X-axis position value written 100 lower |
| 6931 | Y-axis position value written 100 lower |
| 6930 | X-axis position value written 100 higher |
| 6933 | Z-axis position value written 100 higher |
M19 Position Setting (inside the macro):
#1132 = 1430(changed inside O9001)
Sensor Checks:
- X4.4 = 1 (the window switch separating the two pallets)
- X5.2 = 0 (sensor indicating the pallet is not clamped)
- K10.4 = 1 (pallet down)
- K10.2 = 0 (pallet clamped)
Rifa Horizontal Machining Center
3104#6 and #7 = 1 → The program’s “Z” axis values become the same as the absolute values.
Rifa Tool Change Z-Axis Value (O9001)
- 6930 = 30100 + 0.1
- 6950 = 29900 – 0.1
💾 PROGRAM COPYING AND TRANSFER
903#7 – Program Copying (0-MD Control)
Enables the copy function.
0i-MD Running and Transferring from a Card
TAPE → PROGRAM → Right arrow → DIR → OPRT → Right arrow → REFRESHThe card’s contents are displayed.
PLC Loading for Accuway Program Restart
SYSTEM + PMC + I/O + MCARD + READ + EXEC + YES + COMPLETE + ←
22108758 → DISPLAY
G22108758 → EDIT
MCARD + FREAD + EXEC + COMPLETE + RUN + YES9930#0 = 1 – Program Restart
Enables the program restart function.
📊 FOCUS AND SERVO MOTOR PARAMETERS
Focus Motor Adaptation Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| 2067 | Motor filter |
| 2012 | – |
| 2021 | Inertia load |
Focus Servo Turret Reset
1. Power off the machine
2. When powering the machine back on, the turret must be in the reference position at tool 1
3. Hold one hand on the hydraulics and one hand on the turret rotation control
4. The counter must read 0
Focus FCL-140
K1#0 = 1 → The part counter stops the machine once the target count is reached.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
⚠️ MENTOR CNC DISCLAIMER
All technical information, parameter numbers, and procedural steps in this blog post were obtained from machine manuals and technical documentation. However, these details may vary depending on your machine’s brand, model, manufacturer configuration, PLC software, and parameter structure.
For this reason, always record the original values of any parameter before changing it during testing. This lets you revert the change if something goes wrong.
If you have not previously made a Leader PLC, software, or parameter change, be sure to get help from an authorized service provider. Full responsibility for any actions taken rests with the user. Mentor CNC and its content authors cannot be held liable for any malfunction, data loss, or damage that may result.
This guide was prepared for CNC operators and technicians working with FANUC controllers. Always remember to reference your machine’s original documentation as well.
Related Pages
The notes on this page include field observations specific to different FANUC series and certain machine manufacturers. For a more comprehensive, general reference based on your control unit, see: