FANUC ROBOTS

FANUC Arc Mate Series: Picking the Right Welding Robot

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FANUC Arc Mate Series: Picking the Right Welding Robot

The FANUC Arc Mate is FANUC's arc welding robot. The Arc Mate 100 series covers light payloads, mostly 6 to 12 kg, and the Arc Mate 120 series is a bigger arm rated 10 to 20 kg in the data sheets we carry. Pick by the weight on the wrist, the reach your parts need and your controller.

How the Arc Mate Lines Up With the M Series

Many Arc Mates share their basic specs with a FANUC handling arm. The Arc Mate 100iC and the M-10iA both list 10 kg and 1,420 mm of reach. The Arc Mate 120iB and the M-16iB/20 both list 20 kg and 1,667 mm. The Arc Mate version is the one set up for welding. So if you are sizing a welding cell, you can compare it against used FANUC robots of the same size.

Arc Mate 100 Series

This is the welding arm we see most often, and a common base for robotic MIG welding cells.

  • Arc Mate 100i. An older arm, on the RJ3 controller. The data sheet lists 6 kg and 1,368 mm. It is a simple way into robotic welding if your parts and programs are not complicated.
  • Arc Mate 100iB and 100iBe. RJ3iB era arms, both rated 6 kg with 1,373 mm of reach. We have Arc Mate 100iB MIG welding robots from 2004 and Arc Mate 100iBe welding robots on the floor.
  • Arc Mate 100iC. 10 kg and 1,420 mm, on the R-30iA. See our Arc Mate 100iC MIG welding robot.
  • Arc Mate 100iC/6L and 7L. Long arm versions. The Arc Mate 100iC/6L data sheet lists 6 kg with 1,632 mm, and the 7L lists 7 kg with 1,633 mm. The Arc Mate 100iC/6L on the R-30iB is one of the deepest welding robot stocks we carry.
  • Arc Mate 100iC/12. 12 kg on the standard 1,420 mm arm. This is the arm to look at if your torch package is on the heavy side.
  • Arc Mate 100iD/10L. The newest arm here, on the R-30iB Plus, from 2023. The model name tells you it is a 10 kg long arm.

Arc Mate 120 Series

  • Arc Mate 120i. RJ3 era, 16 kg and 1,542 mm per the data sheet. Ours date from 2000.
  • Arc Mate 120iB and 120iBe. 20 kg and 1,667 mm. Our Arc Mate 120iB units run on the RJ3iB, and the Arc Mate 120iBe runs on the R-30iA.
  • Arc Mate 120iD. The newest 120 we stock, on the R-30iB Plus. Some of our Arc Mate 120iD welding robots are never used, and one comes with two auxiliary axis kits for running a positioner or track.

At the small end, the Arc Mate 50iB is a 3 kg arm with 856 mm of reach, sized for small parts and tight cells.

Picking the Right Arc Mate

  • Weight on the wrist. Add up the torch, the cable and anything else hanging off the arm. If the wire feeder rides on the robot, count it too. That number should sit well under the rated payload.
  • Reach. Measure from where the base will sit to the farthest weld on the part, then add room for torch angle. If the standard arm falls short, look at the L versions before you step up to a bigger robot.
  • Process. Most Arc Mates run MIG. We have posts on robotic TIG welding and MAG welding with a robot if you run something else. Match the power supply and wire feed to the process first, then the arm.
  • Controller. An RJ3iB era arm and an R-30iB Plus arm are different animals to program and support. Think about who will program and maintain the cell before you mix generations on one floor.

Weld Cells, Positioners and Power Supplies

If you would rather start with a cell than a bare arm, our FANUC robotic weld cells are Genesis cells built around the Arc Mate 100iC/12 on the R-30iB. In our used welding equipment category you will also find Genesis dual trunnion weld cells, Lincoln 455M welding power supplies and a Pema robotic weld positioner. Some of our robot risers also fit the Arc Mate.

Arc Mate Models in Stock

Upgrading Your Weld Cells?

If older Arc Mates are coming out of your shop, we buy them. Start with our sell your welding robots page, or ask for a used equipment appraisal.

Related Guides

Call 586-752-0090, extension 1 for sales, or contact us with the parts you weld and we will point you to the right arm.