Understanding FANUC Robot Names

FANUC is considered a premier robotic manufacturer in the world. They offer hundreds of industrial robots, covering just about every robotic application type that you can think of. With such a large selection of robots to choose from, it can be difficult for potential buyers to narrow down their selections or to even know where to begin. FANUC has simplified the robot selection process by providing valuable information within their robot names. Each FANUC robot name is essentially a code providing information on the model, series/version, payload capacity, and special features.

The first part of any FANUC robot name indicates what model it is. For instance, for the FANUC Arc Mate 120iC, the “Arc Mate 120” is the model name and indicates this robot is part of the FANUC arc welding family. The same goes for the material handling FANUC M-20ia and the collaborative FANUC Cr-15ia. FANUC robot models vary considerably from small to large robots, spider robots, cobots, gantries, SCARA, and of course articulated robots.

Following the model number of a FANUC robot name is often an “i” followed by another letter such as “A,” “B,” “C,” etc. The capitalized letter represents the series version of the robot. Some older FANUC robots only have an “i” after the model name such as the FANUC M-6i. This indicates they are the original version of the series. As FANUC has improved and updated its six axis robots a new version of the series is created. For instance, the FANUC LR Mate 200iB has been updated to the LR Mate 200iC. While the LR-200iC has now been updated to the FANUC LR Mate 200iD. Every time a new version of a robot is released a higher letter in the alphabet replaces the previous letter of its predecessor.

After the series letter in a FANUC robot name, there is often a number. This number represents the maximum payload capacity in kilograms for the FANUC robot. For instance, the FANUC M-10iA/12 has a maximum payload of 12 kg. Not all FANUC robots will have a number after the series letter. If this is the case it is an indication that it is the standard model of a robot series and therefore will have whatever the standard series payload is.

Some FANUC robots will also have an additional letter or letters at the very end of their name. These additional letters are used to indicate any special features of the robot. Common features include short arm robots as is the case with the FANUC M-10ia/12S or extended reach robots like the FANUC M-900ia/260L. If a robot does not have additional letters at the end of its name then that means it is the standard model for the series. Common letters used in FANUC robot names include:

• C- Indicates a cleanroom robot.

• CF- Indicates a compact robot.

• F- Indicates either a food grade robot or floor mount variant.

• FS- Indicates a hollow wrist robot.

• H- Indicates a 5-axis robot.

• L- Indicates a long arm (extended reach) robot.

• M- Indicates a high inertia robot.

• P- Indicates a pedestal mounted robot.

• R- Indicates a rack mounted robot.

• S- Indicates a short arm robot.

• T- Indicates a top mount robot.

• WE- Indicates a wash environment robot.

• WP- Indicates a wash proof robot.