FANUC ROBOCUT C400iB

$120,000 - $180,000 Updated 2026-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

400 mm (15.75 in)

Y Travel

300 mm (11.81 in)

Z Travel

255 mm (10.04 in)

travel u

80 mm (3.15 in)

travel v

80 mm (3.15 in)

max workpiece size

730 x 550 x 255 mm (28.7 x 21.7 x 10 in)

Overview

The FANUC ROBOCUT C400iB is a wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) machine from FANUC, the Japanese robotics and CNC giant that also happens to be one of the most reliable wire EDM manufacturers in the world. The C400iB is a mid-range workhorse with X/Y/Z travels of 400 x 300 x 255 mm and a maximum workpiece size of 730 x 550 x 255 mm, making it suitable for small-to-medium tool and die work, precision component manufacturing, and production EDM applications.

The machine uses FANUC's own CNC control — the Series 31i-WB — which is purpose-built for wire EDM operation. FANUC's AI Pulse technology is the standout feature: it uses real-time sensing to monitor the discharge gap and automatically adjusts pulse parameters to maintain optimal cutting conditions. This means fewer wire breaks, more consistent surface finish, and the ability to run unattended with confidence. The C400iB achieves surface finishes as fine as Ra 0.15 micrometers with multiple skim passes, and cutting accuracy of ±0.002 mm on standard applications.

FANUC's automatic wire threading (AWT) system is renowned for its reliability — the C400iB can re-thread broken wire automatically and thread through pre-drilled start holes without operator intervention. This capability is essential for lights-out operation, especially on jobs with multiple cutout features that require thread-through-hole starts. The wire diameter range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm covers most applications, with 0.25 mm brass wire being the standard for general-purpose cutting.

The C400iB competes with the Sodick AG400L, Mitsubishi MV1200R, and Makino U3. Against the Sodick, the FANUC offers arguably the most reliable AWT in the industry and FANUC's legendary service network. Against the Mitsubishi, the FANUC is typically priced lower with comparable performance. New FANUC ROBOCUT C400iB machines price between $120,000 and $180,000, positioning them as strong value in the mid-range wire EDM market. FANUC's global parts and service infrastructure — the same network that supports their CNC controls and robots — provides a support advantage that no other wire EDM manufacturer can match.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.75 in)
Y-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.81 in)
Z-Axis Travel	255 mm (10.04 in)
Travel U	80 mm (3.15 in)
Travel V	80 mm (3.15 in)
Max Workpiece Size	730 x 550 x 255 mm (28.7 x 21.7 x 10 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	500 kg (1,102 lb)
Wire Diameter Range	0.1 - 0.3 mm
Surface Finish	Ra 0.15 µm (achievable with skim passes)
Cutting Accuracy	±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in)
Max Taper Angle	±30° at 80 mm height
Auto Wire Threading	Yes (AWT with broken-wire recovery)
CNC Control	FANUC Series 31i-WB
Ai Pulse	Yes (real-time adaptive discharge control)
Dielectric	Deionized water
Machine Weight	3,200 kg (7,055 lb)

Specifications sourced from emastercam.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

FANUC's AI Pulse technology provides real-time adaptive gap control, reducing wire breaks and maintaining consistent cut quality — critical for unattended operation
Industry-leading automatic wire threading (AWT) reliability enables confident lights-out production with automatic broken-wire recovery and thread-through-hole capability
FANUC's global service and parts network — the same infrastructure supporting their CNC controls and robots — provides unmatched support availability worldwide
±0.002 mm cutting accuracy and Ra 0.15 µm surface finish capability meet precision requirements for tool and die, aerospace, and medical component manufacturing
FANUC 31i-WB control is purpose-built for wire EDM with intuitive programming, built-in cutting technology databases, and standard G-code compatibility
Competitive pricing at $120K-$180K positions the C400iB as excellent value against Sodick, Mitsubishi, and Makino wire EDMs with comparable capability

Limitations

400 x 300 mm X/Y travel limits the machine to small-to-medium workpieces — shops cutting large die plates or mold bases need a larger model
255 mm Z-travel restricts maximum workpiece thickness — tall components may require the larger C600iB or C800iB models
FANUC's wire EDM technology, while reliable, is generally considered less aggressive in cutting speed compared to Sodick's linear motor machines on very thick cuts
The deionized water dielectric system requires regular resin and filter maintenance to maintain consistent cutting performance and surface quality

Best For

Tool and die shops cutting precision punches, die blocks, stripper plates, and insert cavities requiring tight tolerances and fine surface finishes Medical device manufacturers wire-cutting titanium and stainless steel implant components, surgical instrument features, and micro-mold inserts Aerospace component manufacturers cutting hardened steel and exotic alloy parts that cannot be conventionally machined — turbine blade root forms, fir-tree profiles Production EDM shops running multiple machines unattended where FANUC's AWT reliability and AI Pulse wire-break prevention directly impact uptime and throughput Job shops looking for a reliable, well-supported wire EDM with the backing of FANUC's global service infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is FANUC AI Pulse technology?

AI Pulse is FANUC's adaptive discharge control system that monitors the cutting gap in real time and adjusts pulse parameters (energy, frequency, duration) automatically to maintain optimal cutting conditions. When the system detects conditions that could lead to wire breakage — arcing, short circuits, or gap contamination — it adapts the parameters before problems occur. This results in fewer wire breaks, more consistent surface finish, and higher reliability during unattended operation.

02 How does the FANUC ROBOCUT compare to Sodick wire EDMs?

Both FANUC and Sodick are top-tier wire EDM manufacturers. Sodick uses linear motor drives for faster axis acceleration and cutting speed on thick materials, while FANUC uses ball screw drives with their AI Pulse adaptive control. FANUC generally wins on AWT reliability and service network density. Sodick generally wins on cutting speed, especially on thick workpieces. Price points are comparable. The choice often comes down to specific application requirements and local dealer support.

03 What does a FANUC ROBOCUT C400iB cost?

New C400iB machines price between $120,000 and $180,000 depending on options like fine-finish power supply, submerged cutting capability, rotary axis, and fixture packages. A base machine sits around $120K-$140K. Used C400iB machines from recent model years can be found in the $60,000-$100,000 range. Earlier-generation ROBOCUT models (Alpha-C400iA) are available for $30,000-$60,000.

04 Can the C400iB cut hardened steel?

Yes. Wire EDM cuts any electrically conductive material regardless of hardness — that's one of its fundamental advantages. The C400iB readily cuts tool steels hardened to 62+ HRC, carbide, titanium, Inconel, and other difficult materials. Hardness does not significantly affect cutting speed in wire EDM, unlike conventional machining. This makes it ideal for cutting hardened die inserts, punch forms, and other components that have already been heat-treated.

05 What wire does the C400iB use?

The C400iB accepts wire diameters from 0.1 to 0.3 mm. Standard 0.25 mm brass wire is most common for general-purpose cutting. Zinc-coated brass wire improves cutting speed by 15-20% and is widely used for production work. Molybdenum and tungsten wires are available for specialty applications. The 0.1 mm wire option enables very fine detail cutting and small-radius internal corners for micro-mold and medical applications.

06 Is the C400iB suitable for production EDM or just prototyping?

The C400iB is fully production-capable. FANUC's AI Pulse and reliable AWT system are specifically designed for unattended production running. Many shops run these machines 24/7 with minimal operator intervention. The built-in cutting technology database provides optimized parameters for common materials and thicknesses, reducing setup time. For high-volume production, FANUC also offers the C400iB with robot-loading integration through their standard robot interface.