What to look for in a robot arm

A robotic arm with a gripper needs to be fast, precise, and easy to use. You need a solution that can handle high volumes quickly and accurately – without needing an advanced engineering degree.

• Payload and reach: a Six-Axis robot arm with a high payload capacity and decent reach to handle heavy components and cover a wide range of motion will do the trick. Remember: the payload includes both the weight of the gripper and the object it is lifting.
• Intuitive programming: find a robot with an intuitive user interface. This allows operators to program the robot without coding. RO1 and Universal Robots' UR10e offer simple "no-code" programming options.
• Safety features: if you need your robot to work side-by-side with humans, put a premium on safety by picking a robot arm with force-limited capabilities and sensors that detect contact and stop before inflicting damage. 
• Cost: Great quality robotic arms can vary hugely in cost from $2000 to $100,000+, so keep your budget in mind and shop around before you make a decision.

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What to look for in a gripper

Grippers are end-effectors, attachable add-ons to your robotic arm. They’re essential for grasping, manipulating, and transferring objects. 

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed to handle specific tasks and materials. Choosing the right gripper for your robotic arm is an operational necessity.

Here are some key gripper characteristics to keep in mind: 

1. Grip strength: it should be enough to securely hold the objects without causing damage or slippage – doubly important for fragile materials. 

2. Grip type: grippers come in various configurations, each suited for different types of objects. The most common are two and three-finger grippers, as well as vacuum grippers. Magnetic and adaptive grippers are also available.

3. Material: you can find grippers made out of aluminum, steel, or composite materials. It’s important to consider what materials or objects you’re working with, as well as the gripper’s resistance to wear and tear. 

4. Precision and accuracy: Your gripper needs to repeatedly manipulate objects with pinpoint accuracy. 

5. Ease of use and maintenance: find a gripper that is easy to attach, detach, and maintain; this will reduce downtime and ensure long-term performance. 

6. Compatibility with your robotic arm: finally, make sure your gripper is compatible with your chosen brand of robotic arm.

Robotic arm with gripper: Our top 3

If you're in the market for a robotic arm with a gripper, we’ve already done the hard part for you.

Here are our top three picks.

RO1 by Standard Bots 

Standards Bots’ RO1 is an affordable powerhouse, at half the price of its nearest competitor. Don’t let the budget-friendly price fool you: it has the highest payload capacity (22lbs) and the fastest, most accurate performance of any robot in its class. 

It comes with an intuitive no-code software so your team can seamlessly easily input new sequences without any specialized training. 

Also, RO1 has compatibility with M8 4 and 8-pin connectors, so can support a wide variety of end-effector manufacturers. 

Bonus: If you like the end-effector brand OnRobot, you’re in luck; RO1 has a "plug and play" integration with no setup required, and the team will ship the right OnRobot end-effectors for whatever use-case you have.

The UR10e by Universal Robots

This medium-duty robot combines a good payload with a long reach, making it perfect for handling larger parts. Its patented technology limits forces during contact, protecting delicate components. 

Additionally, Universal Robots has a proven track record of great ongoing support with maintenance and end-effectors, so there’s that to keep in mind. 

The FANUC CRX-10iA/L 

The CRX-10iA/L is an excellent entry-level robot arm with a gripper, made by the Japanese giant FANUC. 

This lightweight robot arm has highly sensitive sensors that immediately stop the arm on contact with a human, and its teach function allows you to quickly program it by manually showing it how to perform a simple task.  

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Conclusion

Not all robotic arms are created equal, and the market is overflowing with great choices ranging from bank-breaking to surprisingly affordable. But now you know the 3 best options to finally get started.

Whatever your choice, the truth still stands: a robotic arm with a gripper is an excellent way to skyrocket productivity and increase safety, effectiveness, and the overall quality of your production.