How to Start Monitoring DMG Mori CNC for Free (2026)

DMG Mori machines support multiple connectivity options depending on which CNC control is fitted — Fanuc or Siemens — and whether the machine runs the CELOS interface. This guide covers all three paths to free machine monitoring on DMG Mori equipment, with specific steps for the most common machine series.

For a full overview of CNC monitoring across all brands, see the CNC Machine Monitoring: Complete Guide for All Brands →

Which control does your DMG Mori machine have?

This is the first question — DMG Mori fits different controls on different machine series, and the monitoring approach follows the control, not the machine brand.

Check the control panel label and the HMI startup screen — these show the control manufacturer and model clearly.

Path 1: DMG Mori with Fanuc control (NTX, NLX, most DMU)

Connect via Focas 2 — the highest-fidelity option

Fanuc-controlled DMG Mori machines support Focas 2 over Ethernet — the same protocol used for standalone Fanuc machines. This gives access to: machine state, program name, alarm history, spindle load, axis loads, tool life counters, and part count.

Prerequisites:

• Machine has Ethernet connectivity (X130 port on the Fanuc NCU, or built-in on 31i-B)
• Focas option is enabled in the Fanuc control (check with your machine builder — it's standard on most DMG Mori machines)
• Static IP assigned to the CNC controller

The Focas port is typically 8193 (TCP). Verify by checking the Fanuc network settings: System → Parameter → Ethernet → Port number.

For full Fanuc Focas connection steps, see: Fanuc CNC monitoring setup guide →

Connect via MTConnect — simpler setup

If your DMG Mori machine has CELOS, the CELOS PC (a Windows-based panel PC) runs the MTConnect adapter as part of the CELOS software stack. The MTConnect endpoint is typically available at: http://[CELOS-PC-IP]:5000/current

On machines without CELOS, download the free Fanuc MTConnect adapter from the MTConnect Institute (mtconnect.org) and run it on a PC that can reach the Fanuc controller on the network. The adapter acts as a bridge — polling the controller via Focas and serving data as MTConnect.

Path 2: DMG Mori with Siemens Sinumerik (CMX, CLX, some DMC/DMU)

Siemens-controlled DMG Mori machines use OPC-UA, the same as standalone Sinumerik machines. The setup is identical: enable OPC-UA on the Sinumerik NCK, connect via opc.tcp://[NCU-IP]:4840.

For full Siemens OPC-UA setup steps, see: Siemens Sinumerik monitoring setup guide →

DMG Mori-specific note: on machines with CELOS + Siemens, the CELOS software layer adds machine-specific data points (pallet status, coolant level, chip conveyor state) that are not in the standard OPC-UA namespace. These are accessible via the CELOS Open API (see Path 3).

Path 3: CELOS Open API — DMG Mori native interface

What CELOS exposes

CELOS (DMG Mori's proprietary HMI platform, fitted to machines from 2013 onwards) includes an open REST API for machine data. Unlike Focas or OPC-UA which read from the CNC controller, the CELOS API reads from the CELOS PC — giving access to both CNC data and machine-peripheral data (automatic doors, chip conveyors, pallet changers).

How to access the CELOS API

1. The CELOS PC has a dedicated network port — connect it to your shop network and note its IP address
2. The API documentation is available on the CELOS PC itself at http://[CELOS-IP]/api/docs on machines with CELOS 8 or later
3. Authentication: CELOS uses basic HTTP authentication. Default credentials are in the machine documentation — change these before connecting to your production network
4. Test the connection: GET http://[CELOS-IP]/api/v1/machine/state should return current machine state in JSON

MDCPlus supports CELOS API connectivity natively — add the machine, select "DMG Mori CELOS" as connection type, and enter the CELOS PC IP and credentials.

Mori Seiki legacy machines (pre-2013 merger)

Mori Seiki machines built before the DMG Mori merger typically run Fanuc (NT, NL series) or Mitsubishi (MSX series) controls without CELOS. Treat these as standard Fanuc or Mitsubishi machines:

• Fanuc-controlled Mori Seiki → Focas 2 connection (see Fanuc guide)
• Mitsubishi MSX-controlled Mori Seiki → Mitsubishi CNC API (see Mitsubishi monitoring guide)

See also: Mori Seiki alarm codes reference →

First metrics to track on DMG Mori machines

DMG Mori machines are typically high-value precision centers — the cost of unplanned downtime is higher than on standard machining centers. Focus first on:

• Alarm frequency by code: DMG Mori PLC alarms (7xxx series) are machine-specific. A recurring PLC alarm usually indicates a peripheral issue (coolant, chip conveyor, pallet) rather than a CNC fault. Log and trend these — they predict failures before they become stops.
• Spindle utilisation: on machining centers, spindle-on time as a percentage of available time is the sharpest indicator of productive capacity. Target 65%+ spindle utilisation on a well-loaded machine.
• Setup time per job: on DMG Mori multi-tasking machines, setup often consumes 20–35% of available time. Monitoring makes this visible and creates the data to reduce it.

See: OEE benchmarks by industry → and how to improve CNC cycle time for free →

Related resources:

• CNC Machine Monitoring: Complete Guide for All Brands
• DMG Mori CNC alarm codes — complete reference
• Siemens Sinumerik alarm codes (used in many DMG Mori machines)
• Siemens Sinumerik monitoring setup guide
• Fanuc CNC monitoring setup guide

About MDCplus

Our key features are real-time machine monitoring for swift issue resolution, power consumption tracking to promote sustainability, computerized maintenance management to reduce downtime, and vibration diagnostics for predictive maintenance. MDCplus's solutions are tailored for diverse industries, including aerospace, automotive, precision machining, and heavy industry. By delivering actionable insights and fostering seamless integration, we empower manufacturers to boost Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce operational costs, and achieve sustainable growth along with future planning.