Choose between ABB and FANUC based on what your plant already runs. Both build six axis arms from small bench robots up to heavy payload models, and a used robot from either one can do the job. What usually decides it is your existing programs, the controllers your people know and the spare parts already on your shelf.
Start With What Is on Your Floor
If your line is all FANUC, the next robot should probably be FANUC too. The same goes for ABB. Every brand you add means another pendant to learn, another set of spares to stock and another style of program to back up. On our own floor, used FANUC robots make up most of our stock, and we also carry used ABB robots.
Mixed plants can work. The real question is if you have the people to support both. A plant with one robot tech is better off standardizing. A plant with an in house automation group can run whatever suits each cell.
Think about the programs too. If you have a machine tending robot cell running today and want a second one just like it, buying the same brand, ideally on the same controller generation, can let you copy the program over and adjust it instead of writing it from scratch. That saves a lot of setup time. It also means your operators see the same screens and the same fault messages on both cells, which makes nights and weekends easier on everyone.
Programming and Controllers
FANUC. FANUC robots are taught on the teach pendant with TP programs. The controller generations you will see on used units include the RJ3, the R-J3iB controller, the R-30iA controller, the R-30iB controller and the R-30iB Plus controller. Newer units can use FANUC's tablet teach pendant.
ABB. ABB robots are programmed in RAPID, a text based language. Most of our ABB stock runs on the IRC5 controller, which uses the FlexPendant. Older units like our IRB 4400L/10 on S4C run on the earlier S4 family.
A good programmer can learn either one. It still takes time, and that time costs you on the floor. If your people already know one system, count that.
Spare Parts
Look at what you already keep on the shelf. A plant with drawers full of FANUC servo motors and amplifiers has a head start on the next FANUC. We carry a deep supply of FANUC robot parts, including FANUC servo amplifiers, FANUC servo motors and FANUC robot cable sets. On the ABB side we have an ABB robot cable and an IRC5P controller in parts. Our post on servo amplifiers explains what a servo amplifier does.
Matching the Arm to the Job
Both brands cover the same jobs. Here are pairs from our own stock that land in the same class. Payload and reach come from our data sheets or the model name.
- Small parts and bench work. ABB IRB 1200 (5 kg, 901 mm) or FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7L (7 kg, 911 mm). The ABB IRB 120 is a smaller option.
- Arc welding. ABB IRB 1600ID 4/1.5 (4 kg, 1,500 mm) or FANUC Arc Mate 100iC/6L (6 kg, 1,632 mm).
- Mid payload handling. ABB IRB 4600-40/2.55 (40 kg, 2,550 mm) or FANUC M-20iA/35M (35 kg, 1,813 mm). If you need more payload, the FANUC M-710iC/50 carries 50 kg with 2,050 mm of reach.
- Heavy payload. ABB IRB 7600 500/2.55 (500 kg, 2,550 mm) or FANUC M-900iA/350 (350 kg, 2,650 mm). For the R-2000 line, see our FANUC R-2000 series guide.
Other Things That Tip It
- Who supports it. Your own people, or an outside integrator. Find out which brand they know best.
- PLC hookup. Check how the controller will talk to your PLC. Our industrial robot I/O post covers the basics for either brand.
- What is in stock. Sometimes it comes down to which brand has the right arm sitting on the floor. Everything ships FOB Imlay City, Michigan, and the buyer arranges freight.
- Budget. Our equipment financing page covers ways to spread the cost.
Related Guides
- Used ABB robots buyer's guide
- ABB IRB series explained
- ABB IRC5 controller guide
- Used FANUC robots buyer's guide
- FANUC robot controllers explained
Switching Brands? Sell the Old Ones
If you are standardizing and want the other brand out, we buy used robots from one unit to an entire plant. Start on our sell used robots page or ask for a robot appraisal.
Not sure which way to go? Call 586-752-0090, extension 1 for sales, or talk to our sales team.