Yaskawa robots, especially in the Motoman series, are known for their accuracy, speed, and flexibility.
But here's the thing — not every business needs to pay up the wazoo for a high-end robotic solution. If you're looking for a budget-friendly way into automation, RO1 by Standard Bots is where you might want to look.
Read on to learn:
- What Yaskawa Motoman robots bring to the table
- A breakdown of their most popular models and applications
- Why Standard Bots RO1 might be a better fit for your business
What is Yaskawa Motoman?
Yaskawa Motoman is a leader in the field of industrial robotics, with plenty of versatile solutions that can tackle different industrial needs.
From welding and painting to assembly and packaging, Yaskawa robots can handle jobs that require a lot of accuracy and efficiency.
They've been in the game for decades (over 100 years!), and while their robots are top-tier, they're not the only option for companies looking to dip their toes into automation.
Key features of Yaskawa Motoman robots
Yaskawa robots are known for their high performance and reliability.
Let’s take a look at some major features:
- Handles almost everything: Whether it’s welding car frames, assembling parts, or packaging products, Yaskawa robots can multitask across industries. While Yaskawa robots offer robust capabilities, they come with significant costs.
- Very precise: If you’re in an industry that needs high accuracy, like auto manufacturing or medical device production, Yaskawa’s systems offer the precision you need. However, for many businesses, sufficient accuracy may outweigh the need for high-end precision.
- Big but adaptable: Yaskawa robots can scale, handling both small and large-scale production. However, for most businesses, this type of automation can be overkill.
Types of Yaskawa Motoman robots
Yaskawa’s Motoman lineup is very versatile.
Let’s break down some of the most well-known models:
- Best for: Material handling, packaging, and assembly
- Top models:some text
- GP8: With an 8kg payload, this one’s compact but powerful. Perfect for tight spaces where you need precise, fast material handling.
- GP25: Handling up to 25kg, the GP25 is your go-to for more demanding tasks like loading and unloading in manufacturing.
- What’s cool? High-speed movements (cutting down cycle times) and IP67 protection, so it can handle even harsh environments without breaking a sweat.
MA Series: Welding specialists
- Best for: Arc welding tasks that need laser-like accuracy.
- Top models:some text
- MA1440: It’s got a 1440mm reach and a 6kg payload. It is ideal for those medium-to-large welding projects, with an internal cable design to keep things neat and damage-free.
- MA2010: Need more reach? The MA2010 robot has a reach of 2010mm, making it ideal for large-scale welding tasks.
- What’s cool? These bots come with MotoSim 3D simulation for arc control that keeps those welds smooth, plus cable protection built into the arm to prevent wear.
HC Series: Collaborative robots
- Best for: Collaborative environments where safety matters.
- Top models:some text
- HC10DT: This one carries up to 10kg and is great for tasks that require humans and bots to work side by side. Think packaging or inspection jobs.
- HC20DTP: Got bigger loads? The 20kg payload of this model makes it a top pick for heavier lifting tasks in manufacturing or logistics.
- What’s cool? These robots have force-sensing tech, so they stop if they bump into anything. Plus, they’re a breeze to program, making them flexible for changing tasks.
- Best for: Consistent, high-quality painting jobs.
- Top models:some text
- MPX3500: With a 15kg payload, this Yaskawa robot arm handles larger paint guns, making it a must-have for automotive painting. Its long 2700mm reach makes sure no spot goes untouched.
- MPX1150: A smaller model for detailed work with a 5kg payload, this one’s perfect for painting small parts with precision.
- What’s cool? These robots are spray experts, giving you even coverage with very little paint waste. Advanced motion control keeps everything smooth and steady.
Applications of Yaskawa Motoman robots
You’ll find Yaskawa Motoman robots just about everywhere serious work needs doing.
Let’s take a look at some key industries:
- Manufacturing: Yaskawa robots are great at repetitive things like welding, material handling, and assembling parts. In car factories, these bots are good for precision welding.
- Making cars efficiently: From painting to welding car bodies, the automotive sector relies heavily on Yaskawa robots for consistency and quality. Plus, with robots that can switch between jobs, production lines become faster and more efficient.
- Healthcare & medical devices: The level of precision in the medical field is literally life or death, and robots like Yaskawa assist in manufacturing high-precision medical devices, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
- Warehousing & logistics: In large warehouses, Yaskawa robots are essential for handling packing, palletizing, and moving heavy loads.
Benefits of using Yaskawa Motoman robots
Wondering why so many businesses invest in Yaskawa?
Here’s why they go for them:
- Productivity: With Yaskawa robots taking over repetitive tasks, your human workers can focus on more strategic roles — a big win for productivity.
- Long-term cost savings: Yes, Yaskawa robots are a major investment, but in the long run, they cut down on labor costs and reduce material waste, which can help boost ROI.
- More safety: These robots can work in environments that are dangerous to humans, cutting down on workplace injuries and keeping your team safe and sound.
- Durability: Built to last, Yaskawa robots have pretty good longevity. Fewer breakdowns mean less downtime and lower maintenance costs in the long haul.
Challenges in adopting Yaskawa Motoman robots
Like any major tech investment, Yaskawa Motoman robots have some major hurdles to overcome.
This is what you’re up against:
- Think big bucks: The price tag on Yaskawa robots can be a major shock for small or mid-sized businesses. We’ve got a Yaskawa pricing article where you can find more in-depth information, but you’ll have to pay big.
- It isn’t easy to set up: Yaskawa robot programming and integration isn’t exactly plug-and-play. You may need specialists to help integrate these robots into your existing workflows — all of which could slow down processes and cost money.
- Maintenance needs: Even though Yaskawa bots are durable, they still need regular check-ups. Depending on your operations, that can be a hassle — especially if you don’t have the in-house expertise to handle it. (And really, who does?)
Summing up
Getting a Yaskawa robot is a great choice — with precision, scalability, and durability for businesses ready to make a major investment in tech.
They can handle the heavy lifting (sometimes literally!) for industries ranging from automotive to healthcare.
But Standard Bots RO1 gives you an affordable, easy-to-integrate option that gets the job done without breaking the bank.
Standard Bots: A more accessible alternative.
If you’re looking for automation solutions without the eye-melting upfront costs of Yaskawa’s robots, RO1 by Standard Bots might just be what you need.
Here’s why:
- Easy on the wallet: RO1 comes in at half the cost of high-end robotics like Yaskawa, making it perfect for companies who don’t want or need to spend a million bucks. If you want to lease, it starts at just $5/hr.
- Simpler setup: Forget needing a team of specialists to set everything up. RO1 is designed to be user-friendly, with easy integration, AI smarts, and a comprehensive no-code framework. No tech know-how is needed here!
- Flexible performer: Whether you need help with material handling, basic assembly, or repetitive jobs, RO1 is an excellent robot with loads of potential for pretty much any operation.
Ready to see what RO1 can do for your business? Get in touch with our team today and start your 30-day risk-free trial to experience the future of automation firsthand.