Comparison between FANUC M-6ib and Motoman UP6

Both the FANUC M6ib and Motoman UP6 are common industrial robots that can handle many different robotic applications, including material handling, robotic welding, and pick and place. These two used robots have similar capabilities, however, slight differences might make one a better fit for an application than the other. The following is a comparison between the 2 robot models:

FANUC M6ib RJ3IB Motoman UP6 XRC

FANUC M-6ib

Motoman UP6

Axes 6
Payload: 6 KG (13 lbs)
Reach: 1373 MM (54 in)
Repeatability: ±0.08mm (.0031 in)
Robot Mass: 135 KG (297 lbs)
Structure: Articulated
Robot Motion Speed
J1 150 °/s (2.62 rad/s)
J2 160 °/s (2.79 rad/s)
J3 170 °/s (2.97 rad/s)
J4 400 °/s (6.98 rad/s)
J5 400 °/s (6.98 rad/s)
J6 520 °/s (9.08 rad/s)
Robot Motion Range
J1 - 170°
J2 - 160°
J3 - 145°
J4 - 190°
J5 - 140°
J6 - 360°
Axes 6
Payload: 6 KG (13 lbs)
Reach: 1373 MM (54.06 in)
Repeatability: ±0.08mm (.0031 in)
Robot Mass: 130 KG (286.6 lbs)
Structure: Verticial Joint Arm
Robot Motion Speed
S-Axis 140 °/s (2.44 rad/s)
L-Axis 160 °/s (2.79 rad/s)
U-Axis 170 °/s (2.97 rad/s)
R-Axis 335 °/s (5.85 rad/s)
B-Axis 335 °/s (5.85 rad/s)
T-Axis 500 °/s (8.73 rad/s)
Robot Motion Range
S-Axis - 170°
L-Axis - 155°
U-Axis - 190°
R-Axis - 180°
B-Axis - 225°
T-Axis - 360°

The used M6ib RJ3IB and used Motoman UP6 have the same payload, reach, and repeatability. The FANUC M6ib has a faster motion speed and larger range, making it a little more flexible than the UP6 XRC 2001. The M6ib has an articulated structure where the UP6 has a vertical joint arm structure. Both models where produced in mass production and integrated into thousands of applications around the work, making replacement parts readily available. The Motoman UP6 was generally manufactured between 1999 and 2003, where the FANUC M6ib was produced between 2001 and 2005. The Motoman UP6 was replaced by the Motoman HP6 NX100 robot and later the Motoman MH6 DX100 while the FANUC M6ib RJ3IB was replaced by the FANUC M10ia R30ia. The Motoman UP6 is available in the XRC or XRC 2001 controller, the later of which has a dual channel capability for increased safety. The M6ib can be paired with the FANUC R30IA, FANUC RJ3IB, and FANUC RJ3IC controllers. Generally, the Motoman UP6 can be purchased more economically due to the small difference in age. Both high speed robots can offer reliable service for most small payload robotic applications

Robots discussed in this article: FANUC M6ib RJ3IB, Motoman UP6 XRC, FANUC M10ia R30ia, Motoman HP6 NX100, Motoman MH6 DX100

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