FANUC Arc Mate 100iB vs FANUC M-6iB
Robots Done Right is the place to start when it comes to used robots. Contact Matt at 440-724-6568 or by email mm@robotsdoneright.com if you are interested in buying or selling your used robot.
There is an old saying that if something is not broke then do not try to fix it. This must have been FANUC’s philosophy when designing the Arc Mate 100iB and the M-6iB. Despite these factory robots having completely different names, they are basically the same robotic manipulator. FANUC created a industrial robot arm design so perfect they decided to repeat it. This is not the first time FANUC has repeated robot models. They also did it with the Arc Mate 120iB and the M-16iB. While the Arc Mate 100iB and M-6iB are essentially built the same, they do have one distinct difference and that is the applications they are used for.
Applications
The FANUC Arc Mate 100iB is used specifically for automating arc welding applications. The Arc Mate 100iB can be used for MIG, TIG, plasma, flux cored, and electron beam welding. It can also automate plasma cutting. The Arc Mate 100iB is a very successful FANUC arc welding robot.While the FANUC Arc Mate 100iB is designed to be a welding robot, the FANUC M-6iB offers more of a general purpose use with the ability to automate multiple types of robotic applications. Material handling applications are the most common for the FANUC M-6iB to automate. However, it can also be used to automate machine tending, dispensing, assembly, pick and place, and material removal.
Similarities of the Arc Mate 100iB and M-6iB
Now that we have gone over what makes the FANUC Arc Mate 100iB and FANUC M-6iB different from one another, lets discuss what makes them so similar. The first similarity between these two used FANUC robots is that they are both the standard model of their robot line. Each industrial robotic armfeatures a smaller variation with a shorter reach to accommodate more compact work areas. For the Arc Mate 100iB the Arc Mate 100iB/6s is the short arm variation while the M-6iB/6s is the variant for the M-6iB.Since the Arc Mate 100iB and M-6iB are designed the same, their specifications are identical. Both robot manipulators feature a light payload of 6 kg. They share a reach of 1,373 mm and a repeatability of +/- 0.08 mm. Both feature a robot mass of 135 kg. These manufacturing robot arms also consist of an articulated robot structure.
The footprint of both the FANUC Arc Mate 100iB and M-6iB is also the same. Both six axis robots offer a compact footprint and slim arm with a narrow wrist. Their compact footprint allows them to operate in most factories, even those with high density layouts. The slim arm and wrist ensures reliable operation without obstruction from nearby peripherals. Multiples of these industrial robotic arms can be installed next to one another without the risk of interference.
The compact size of both of these FANUC robots allows for several mounting options. Both the Arc Mate 100iB and M-6iB can be installed by floor, wall, or inverted for a wider workspace. The multiple mounting options of these robots gives manufacturers greater installation flexibility.
Lastly, both of these robots are compatible with several FANUC controllers. These robots may be paired with the RJ3iB, RJ3iC, or R-30iA controllers.