FANUC RoboCut C800iC
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
travel u
travel v
max workpiece size
Overview
The FANUC RoboCut C800iC is the flagship of FANUC's latest-generation wire EDM lineup, offering the largest work envelope in the RoboCut family with X/Y/Z travels of 800 x 600 x 310 mm. This is the machine you reach for when cutting large progressive die plates, full-size mold bases, and oversized aerospace components that smaller wire EDMs simply cannot accommodate. The iC generation brings significant performance improvements over the outgoing C800iB, including faster cutting speeds, finer achievable surface finish, and FANUC's most reliable automatic wire threading system to date.
The C800iC runs on FANUC's Series 31i-WB Plus control with AI Pulse Control II, the second generation of FANUC's adaptive discharge technology. The system monitors gap conditions thousands of times per second and adjusts pulse energy, duration, and frequency in real time to maintain optimal cutting conditions. FANUC reports approximately 15% improvement in rough cutting speed over the iB generation on standard tool steel applications, with improved stability on thick workpieces where gap flushing becomes challenging. Surface finish capability reaches Ra 0.10 micrometers with multi-pass skim cutting.
The AWF3 automatic wire feeding system is the third-generation evolution of FANUC's automatic wire threading technology. It reliably threads through pre-drilled start holes as small as 2 mm diameter, even in submerged cutting conditions — a meaningful improvement over previous generations that struggled with small holes underwater. Wire diameter range extends from 0.05 to 0.30 mm, covering everything from ultra-fine micro-mold work to aggressive roughing with thick wire. Maximum workpiece weight is 2,500 kg, accommodating substantial die plates and mold bases.
New C800iC machines price between $280,000 and $380,000 depending on options. The Core Stitch function, fine-finish power supply, submerged cutting tank, and rotary axis are the most commonly specified options. Competitors include the Sodick ALC800G Premium, Mitsubishi MV2400R, Makino U8 H.E.A.T., and GF Machining Solutions CUT E 800. For shops already invested in the FANUC ecosystem — running FANUC-controlled machine tools, FANUC robots, or other RoboCut machines — the C800iC offers platform commonality that simplifies training, maintenance, and spare parts management.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 800 mm (31.5 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 600 mm (23.6 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 310 mm (12.2 in) |
| Travel U | ±120 mm (±4.72 in) |
| Travel V | ±120 mm (±4.72 in) |
| Max Workpiece Size | 1,250 x 970 x 310 mm (49.2 x 38.2 x 12.2 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 2,500 kg (5,512 lb) |
| Wire Diameter Range | 0.05 - 0.30 mm |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.10 µm (achievable with skim passes) |
| Cutting Accuracy | ±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in) |
| Max Taper Angle | ±30° at full Z height |
| Auto Wire Threading | AWF3 (3rd gen, submerged threading, 2mm min start hole) |
| CNC Control | FANUC Series 31i-WB Plus |
| Ai Pulse | AI Pulse Control II (enhanced real-time adaptive discharge) |
| Dielectric | Deionized water |
| Machine Weight | 7,200 kg (15,873 lb) |
Specifications sourced from emastercam.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Largest work envelope in the FANUC RoboCut family at 800 x 600 mm X/Y travel — handles full-size progressive die plates, large mold bases, and oversized aerospace components
- AI Pulse Control II provides approximately 15% faster cutting speeds over the previous C800iB generation while improving wire break prevention on thick materials
- 2,500 kg maximum workpiece weight accommodates heavy die plates and mold bases without concerns about table overloading
- AWF3 system threads reliably through 2 mm start holes even submerged, enabling complex multi-feature jobs to run unattended with high confidence
- Fully integrated FANUC architecture (CNC, servos, generator) simplifies troubleshooting and ensures long-term parts availability through FANUC's global network
- Wire diameter range down to 0.05 mm provides flexibility to handle both production roughing and ultra-fine detail work on the same machine
Limitations
- Price point of $280K-$380K places the C800iC firmly in premium territory — significantly more expensive than some competing large-format wire EDMs
- 7,200 kg machine weight requires substantial floor preparation and may need rigging considerations that smaller wire EDMs do not
- FANUC's ball screw drive system is generally considered slower in axis acceleration than Sodick's linear motor machines, which can affect cycle time on jobs with many short cuts
- 310 mm Z-travel is the same as the smaller C600iC — shops cutting very thick workpieces may need to look at specialized deep-cut wire EDMs
- Large machine footprint requires dedicated floor space that could accommodate two smaller wire EDMs in some shop layouts
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The iC generation brings AI Pulse Control II (approximately 15% faster cutting), AWF3 automatic wire threading (better reliability in submerged conditions and small holes), the 31i-WB Plus control with enhanced processing, extended wire range down to 0.05 mm, and improved surface finish capability (Ra 0.10 µm vs Ra 0.18 µm). The mechanical envelope is similar, but performance is measurably improved across all parameters.
02
The C800iC weighs approximately 7,200 kg and requires a solid, level foundation capable of supporting concentrated loads. FANUC recommends a reinforced concrete floor of at least 200 mm thickness. The machine requires three-phase power (typically 30-40 kVA) and a stable ambient temperature environment (20±3°C) for optimal accuracy. Vibration isolation from nearby heavy equipment is recommended for precision work.
03
Yes. Wire EDM cuts any electrically conductive material regardless of hardness. The C800iC readily handles tungsten carbide, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) blanks, cermet, and other ultra-hard materials. FANUC's cutting technology database includes optimized parameters for these materials. Carbide cutting typically uses 0.20-0.25 mm brass wire and requires adjusted flush pressure to manage the different spark characteristics compared to steel.
04
Core Stitch is FANUC's automatic slug-retention feature. During wire EDM cutting, when a profile is nearly complete the cut slug can fall, potentially damaging the workpiece, wire guides, or causing wire breakage. Core Stitch automatically creates small tabs (stitches) at programmed intervals to hold the slug in place until the cut is complete. The tabs are then removed in a final pass. This is essential for unattended operation of complex multi-feature cutting jobs.
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