What Does A Used Robot Cost?

One of the most common initial questions that a potential robot user will ask is "What does A used robot cost?". While there is no exact answer to this question, there are various factors that can be quantified to in order to determine a range. These items include:

• Size of the robot - In general, the larger the robot the higher the price. This holds true when considering new robots but is not always correct when dealing with the price of used robots. Larger robots are commonly used in automotive productions resulting in large waves of used high payload robots hitting the market at one time. This drives demand and price up for robots which are not commonly used in the automotive process. For instance, the FANUC R-2000ib/210F is used by many of the automotive manufacturers, whereas the FANUC M710ic/50 is not. Therefore the price of a used FANUC M710ic/50 will typically always be higher than that of the FANUC R2000ib/210F.
• Brand of the robot - Robot brand is a major factor in the price of the robot. The price of a used Yaskawa Motoman robot will generally be less than the price of an equivalant used FANUC robot. This is because there is more demand for used FANUC robots versus Motoman robots. This is a factor of there being less Motoman robot users creating a lower demand for the brand. Similarly used ABB robots and used KUKA robots generally carry lower pricing in the secondhand market versus FANUC robots.
• Availability in the used market - Like any market, supply affects the price of a used robot. Larger robots (100KG-250KG payload) are more common in the used robotic market than smaller and extremely large robots due to their use in the automotive industry, pushing their price downward. A FANUC Arcmate 100ic might have the same price as a FANUC R-2000ib/165F despite the later having a much larger payload and reach. While the demand for less utilized brands such as KUKA and ABB robots has a negative effect on pricing, the lack of supply has a positive effect on pricing. There are still a good amount of companies using non-FANUC robots who rely on the used market for their supply of robots.
• Additional options - Previously integrated robots come to the second hand market with various forms of additional options. Some robots have an aux axis such as a track which can substantially increase the price. Software options, end of arm tooling, and other features can greatly increase the price of a used robot.
• Integration - Integrating a used robot into an application typically makes up a large amount of project cost in which there is no defined ceiling. Adding end of arm tooling onto a robot may run around $5,000 while including a welding system such as a Lincoln Powerwave 455M will run anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000. Used welding cells complete with safety features, servo driven tables, and operator stations can run anywhere between $40,000 and $120,000 depending on the style of cell, age, and amount of robots in the cell.
• Amount and nature of prior usage - Similar to the amount of miles on a car, the amount of hours on a robot can greatly affect the price. A used robot with 5,000 hours is going to command much better pricing than a unit with 30,000 hours. In addition, a robot that received routine maintenance is going to be in better condition and have a much longer useful life remaining. In example, a FANUC Arcmate 120ib with R-J3IB controller having only 3,000 hours might be priced the same as a FANUC Arcmate 120ic with R-30ia controller with 20,000 hours, despite the later having a newer generation controller. The amount of estimated useful life remaining on a robotic unit can affect the price anywhere an estimated $5,000 to $15,000.
• Age of the robot - Newer controllers allow for more features, options, and compatibility. A Motoman robot with a Yaskawa DX100 controller is going to command a higher price than a robot with a Motoman NX100 controller. KUKA KRC 4, FANUC R-30ia, FANUC R-30ib, and ABB IRC5 M2004 controlled robots are all relatively new and going to be higher priced than their older counterparts. In addition, some older robots do not meet current OHSA guidelines and should not be integrated into new projects, greatly reducing their value. The price difference between controllers of the same brand can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
• Condition of the robot at sale - The condition in which the robot is being sold will also have a bearing on the final price. Refurbished robots will typically obtain the highest price on the resale market. Refurbishment procedures depend highly on the company providing the services. Robots that have been tested and are being sold in working condition would be the next level of product. While these robots should be completely functional they have not undergone grease replacement or cosmetic procedures such as paint or ice blasting. Robots being sold as is will typically be the lowest price and carry the most risk. Robot refurbishment will be priced between $5,000 and $7,500 higher than tested and working robots.
• Where the robot is purchased - Not all robot resellers are the same. Some strive for quantity while others strive for quality. Some companies carry larger overhead and are forced to price their used robots higher. This higher pricing does not alway equate to a better product. It is important to understand the procedures in which the robot reseller performs on the robot prior to sale, the amount of background and experience that the technicians working on the robot has (if the robot is refurbished), and in general what type of reputation the company has among it's customers. Prices between companies for the same used robot can vary from $5,000 to $15,000. Robots Done Right deals with a large network of resellers and can provide references upon request.