Questions to Ask When Buying a Second-Hand Robot

Second-hand robots are more accessible than ever before with many different sources selling them. From the Yaskawa Motoman MA1440 to the FANUC R-2000ic/165F there are many high-quality robots that can be purchased second-hand. Second-hand robots can be purchased through robotic equipment companies, online retailers, or auctions. Regardless of where you decide to purchase a second-hand robot, it is important to buy from a reputable seller and to thoroughly check the articulated robot you are considering buying. Below are some of the top questions buyers should ask when considering a second-hand robot. Asking these questions will help you determine if the robot you are considering will be worth buying or not.

• • What are the robot application capabilities? It is important to verify the second-hand industrial robot you are considering will be compatible with your robotic application. If you are automating a palletizing application, you would need a FANUC M-410ib/160 or another used palletizing robot.


• • Do the robot specifications fulfill the application requirements? It is also important to verify the robot specs such as payload, reach, speed, axes, structure, and repeatability will fulfill your applications requirements. Purchasing a robot with too long of a reach or too low of a payload will not be beneficial for automating.


• • Is the robot missing any parts? Sometimes second-hand robots may be sold with missing or damaged parts, so it is important to check the robot’s condition. Does the six axis robot have all cabling, internal parts, teach pendant, and controller?


• • What are the robot hours? Robot hours may include operation, running, and servo. Asking about the hours on a robot will give you an idea about its use. However, high hour robots can still be a good investment as robots tend to have long lifespans.








• • Has the robot been tested? Ideally you want to purchase a second-hand robot that has been tested to ensure it is in working condition. This is why it is important to make sure you are purchasing from a reputable source.


• • Is the robot reconditioned? Reconditioned robots are those that have been restored to like-new condition. Some sellers sell second-hand robots that have already been reconditioned while others sell them in “as-is” condition.


• • Are there spare parts available? Before purchasing a second-hand robot, you should verify that spare parts are still available for that robot as some components of the robot may need to be replaced down the road. With the used part market, it is possible to source spare parts for most second-hand robots.


• • Does the controller cabinet match the manipulator? If the robot is being sold with a controller it is a good idea to check the cabinet is the correct match for the manipulator. Sometimes they can be mismatched, however, it is still good to verify if they match and if not, will the robot function correctly.


• • Does the robot come with any peripheral equipment, software, or documentation? Check if the robot is being sold with any peripheral equipment such as an end-effector or software. You may be able to purchase an entire robotic welding package such as a FANUC Arcmate 120ic with Lincoln Powerwave R350. Also verify if the robot comes with any documentation such as the manual.