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Today’s fast-evolving tech world can make it easy to forget that many CNC machines and industrial systems still rely on outdated hardware. Unfortunately, replacing entire systems is often both impractical and prohibitively expensive for manufacturing companies, but one key component that keeps these systems functioning smoothly is SRAM card.
Are You Working with FANUC, Siemens, Mitsubishi or any Other Legacy Automation Systems? Finding compatible and dependable memory cards can be challenging when working with legacy automation systems such as FANUC, Siemens or Mitsubishi; which is where Pretec SRAM PCMCIA Cards continue to make their mark.
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) cards are a type of memory card designed for non-volatile storage with fast access speed. They are especially valuable in industrial environments due to the following features:
In the CNC and industrial control industry, SRAM cards are used for:
These cards were critical for CNC machines from the late 1990s to mid-2000s, such as FANUC 0i/16i/18i/21i, Mitsubishi M64/M70, and Siemens 840D early versions.
The Pretec SRAM card is a standout product in the industry—not just for its compatibility, but for its uncompromising quality. Here’s why it’s more expensive:
This combination of true architecture, long-term reliability, and industrial certification explains the higher price of genuine Pretec SRAM cards.
Here’s a quick overview of the top SRAM card brands in the industrial market:
Brand | Key Features | Market evaluation |
Pretec | Really industrial grade, fully compatible with Fanuc/Siemens, long life | Highest price, most stable |
Swissbit | Industrial storage experts, some SRAM product lines | Very good quality, but not as compatible as Pretec |
ATP | Industrial Flash manufacturers, also have SRAM cards | Preferably used in new industrial computers, some old CNCs do not recognize it |
SimpleTech | Very popular in the early days, but now basically discontinued | Occasionally seen in the second-hand market |
CoreMemory、Memory Partners | Small factory custom SRAM cards | Lower price, but compatibility needs to be tested |
Apacer | Industrial control manufacturers, occasionally have SRAM card product lines | Preferably Flash simulates SRAM, pay attention to the difference |
Kingston | A small number of custom projects, not common retail | Rarely seen |
SMART | Used in aerospace and defense, wide temperature support | Premium solution |
Adtec | Japan-made, good compatibility with FANUC/Mitsubishi | Quality but harder to find |
CENTURY | Budget option, lower compatibility rate | Not ideal for critical systems |
Generic | Inexpensive, unpredictable quality | Use with caution |
Note:
Some cheap cards are labeled SRAM, but they are actually Flash imitations (called “Linear Flash”, not real SRAM). Many old CNC systems cannot recognize them and will cause errors.
After a real SRAM card is inserted, the CNC system will display it as SRAM MEMORY, not ATA DEVICE or DISK.
It’s important to understand the difference between SRAM card and Flash memory card when selecting storage for your industrial system:
Comparison items | Flash card | SRAM card |
Storage method | Flash memory, no data loss when power is off | Static random access memory (SRAM), requires battery power to maintain data |
Whether batteries are required | No battery required | Requires internal battery to maintain data |
Speed | Usually reads faster, but writes slower | Very fast read and write speed |
Durability | Good at storing large amounts of data, limited erase and write times | Good at frequent read and write, but limited battery life |
Purpose | Industrial control, data recording, military equipment, etc. | Early industrial equipment, old CNC systems (such as Fanuc, Siemens old models) |
Cost | Relatively cheap | Relatively expensive |
SRAM cards remain the better choice for critical, real-time, or legacy equipment where stability and data protection are essential.
Many of our customers use the Pretec SRAM card specifically with FANUC controllers, such as the 0i series. It excels in:
One recent example: a customer restored an entire production line using a Pretec SRAM card after a system crash, saving valuable time and resources.
In the field of CNC/industrial control maintenance, Pretec is the most reliable brand. Although it is expensive, its stability, compatibility and reliability far exceed other alternatives.
If you are repairing/backing up Fanuc 0i/16i/18i/21i systems, or old Siemens, Fanuc, Mitsubishi CNC systems, it is generally recommended to:
Buy Pretec’s SRAM card directly, which is the most worry-free.
The capacity is generally 2MB, 4MB, 6MB, because many CNC models do not support too large a capacity.
SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory) cards store data using real SRAM chips, which offer faster access speeds and unlimited write cycles. Unlike flash memory, SRAM cards also include a battery backup to retain data when power is off. This makes them ideal for industrial CNCs and PLCs, where data integrity is critical.
Yes. This card is fully compatible with most FANUC i-series controllers (such as 0i-MB, 16i, 18i, 21i), especially for SRAM program backups and parameter storage. It’s also widely used in Mitsubishi, Siemens, and GE Fanuc systems.
Only if your PC has a PCMCIA Type I slot, or you use a compatible PCMCIA-to-USB adapter that supports SRAM card protocols. Most modern laptops do not have such slots, so an industrial device is usually required for direct read/write access.
The internal lithium battery typically lasts 5–7 years, depending on usage. It can be replaced, but we strongly advise professional handling, as replacing the battery incorrectly will result in complete data loss.
How we process your repair requirements
Get in touch with us and provide as much detail as possible about the issue you are experiencing.
Our professional repair team will help assess the severity of the problem and the possibility of repair.
The customer sends or delivers the servo drive to our company. We register it in our system and prepare it for further inspection.
Our engineers diagnose the fault points of the servo drive and provide a detailed inspection report, including the final repair cost and estimated repair time.
We provide the repair quote to the customer and wait for their confirmation. If the customer agrees to the quote, we proceed with the repair.
Upon customer approval, we carry out the necessary repairs. After repairs are completed, we perform tests with the motor and conduct aging tests to ensure the servo drive operates reliably under various conditions. Once the testing is successful, we register the drive for delivery.
The customer completes the payment, and we deliver the repaired servo drive to the customer.
We provide attentive follow-up service to ensure customer satisfaction and address any further needs.
