Used Industrial Robots Blog — Automation & Robotics Guides

Should you standardize robot controllers before robot arms?

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Automation engineers evaluating industrial robot controllers and robot arms for standardization across a manufacturing plant

A plant can operate several robot brands successfully and still struggle with maintenance because every controller requires different programming knowledge, diagnostic procedures, software tools, and spare parts. This is where robot controller standardization becomes a strategic question. Should the company reduce controller diversity before deciding which robot arms to purchase, or should mechanical suitability remain … Read more

Delaying industrial robot battery replacement: The hidden risk to production recovery

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Maintenance technician inspecting an industrial robot controller and backup battery system during preventive maintenance

A robot that is running normally today may become difficult to restart tomorrow if its backup battery system is neglected. Industrial robot battery replacement is a relatively small maintenance task, but delaying it can expose a production cell to lost position references, controller alarms, additional calibration work, and avoidable downtime. The real risk is not … Read more

Buying a used ABB IRB 6700: Which checks prevent costly integration mistakes?

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Used ABB IRB 6700 industrial robot undergoing mechanical and controller inspection before purchase

Why buying a used ABB IRB 6700 requires more than checking price A used ABB IRB 6700 can be a sensible investment for manufacturers looking to expand automation capacity without committing to the purchase cost of a new robot. However, the purchase only makes financial sense when the robot’s mechanical condition, exact model variant, controller … Read more

A used robot is available, but can you keep it running?

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Maintenance engineer inspecting an industrial robot controller and spare components before purchasing a used robot

A used industrial robot may be ready for immediate purchase, but the buyer still needs to confirm whether maintenance teams can keep it running. When evaluating used robot spare parts, purchasing managers must distinguish between equipment availability and long-term serviceability. A robot may pass an operational test while relying on a controller board, motor, drive, … Read more

Robot-as-a-Service or Ownership: Which Manufacturing Risks Justify Each Investment?

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Manufacturing manager comparing Robot-as-a-Service and industrial robot ownership for factory automation investment

A repetitive manufacturing process may offer a clear automation opportunity, but the investment can still create financial uncertainty. The Robot-as-a-Service vs buying decision requires manufacturers to compare capital exposure, production stability, integration requirements, and long-term operating costs. A lower initial payment does not necessarily produce a lower total project cost. Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) allows manufacturers to … Read more

Industrial robot track systems: When is a seventh axis worth the investment?

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Industrial robot track systems with a seventh-axis linear rail connecting multiple manufacturing workstations

Industrial robot track systems can solve a genuine production constraint when a fixed robot cannot access every required working position. However, adding a seventh axis introduces another controlled movement, additional safety requirements, mechanical maintenance, and greater integration complexity. The decision is not simply whether the robot would benefit from a larger working area, but whether … Read more

Robots for foundry material handling: When harsh conditions change the automation decision

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Industrial robot handling a metal casting inside a foundry production cell with protective equipment and controlled access

Why foundry conditions change the robot selection process A robot that performs reliably in a conventional manufacturing cell may become a maintenance problem when it operates beside a furnace, casting machine, or abrasive finishing process. Foundry material handling robots must withstand environmental exposure while meeting payload, reach, and cycle requirements. A robot that can lift … Read more

Robot obsolescence planning: When should a factory prepare for replacement?

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Robot obsolescence planning assessment by a maintenance engineer inspecting an industrial robot controller

An industrial robot can remain mechanically functional long after its controller, software, or spare parts become difficult to support. That creates a difficult decision for maintenance and production managers: continue operating equipment that still performs its task, or begin investing in a replacement before a major failure occurs. Effective robot obsolescence planning addresses this decision … Read more

Robot wrist maintenance: how axes 4, 5, and 6 can become a production reliability risk

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Industrial maintenance technician inspecting the wrist assembly and final three axes of a six-axis industrial robot

A robot can continue completing its programmed cycles even when its wrist assembly begins showing signs of mechanical deterioration. This makes robot wrist maintenance essential for production teams that depend on consistent tool orientation, positioning, and uninterrupted operation. A developing problem in axes 4, 5, or 6 may initially cause minor movement changes, unusual noise, … Read more

Yaskawa DX100 vs DX200: which controller creates less integration risk?

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Yaskawa Motoman DX100 and DX200 industrial robot controllers under evaluation for factory integration and maintenance support

Why the Yaskawa DX100 vs DX200 decision matters beyond robot performance A used Yaskawa Motoman robot may meet a production application’s mechanical requirements, but its controller can create unexpected integration and maintenance costs. The Yaskawa DX100 vs DX200 decision, therefore, involves more than choosing the newer generation. Buyers must determine whether the controller’s hardware, software … Read more