Used KUKA robots make the most sense for plants that already run KUKA, especially in automotive and welding work. The first thing to sort out is the controller: our stock runs on the older KRC2 or the newer KRC4. We carry KUKA arms from the KR6 up to the KR100, plus gantry and mobile robots, in Imlay City, Michigan.
Where KUKA Robots Show Up
KUKA is a German robot maker with a big footprint in auto plants, and its orange arms are easy to spot on a body line. In automotive and tier supplier shops, KUKA arms commonly handle robotic spot welding, arc welding robots work, and heavy material handling robots jobs. The smaller arms are also common in machine tending robots cells.
The best reason to buy used KUKA is a plant that already has KUKA on the floor. Your people already know the pendant and the software, and your maintenance crew knows the parts. Everything we have is on our used KUKA robots page. If you are open to other brands, look at our used FANUC robot inventory too.
KRC2 vs KRC4
KUKA's controller is the KRC, and the two generations you will find in our stock are the KRC2 and the KRC4. The KRC4 is the newer of the two. Here is how our stock splits, going by the listing titles:
- KRC2: the KR6-2 on a KRC2 ed05 from 2011, the KR6 Arc robots from 2006, and the KR100-2 HA from 2008.
- KRC4: the KR60 Jet gantry robots from 2012, the KR16 L6-2 and the KR16-2 cell from 2014, and a KR6 R900.
Which one is right for you comes down to what you already run. If your other KUKA cells are KRC2, a KRC2 robot keeps your people on familiar software and pendants. If you are building something new, or your newer cells run KRC4, stay with the KRC4. The KRC2 uses the KCP pendant and the KRC4 uses the smartPAD, so make sure the pendant that matches the controller is part of the deal.
Gantry and Mobile Robots
Not every KUKA robot stands on the floor. The KR60 Jet rides on an overhead linear axis, which frees up floor space and lets one robot cover a long work area. Our post on robot transfer units explains the same idea for floor tracks, and we also carry a Gudel overhead gantry system. On the other end of the scale, the KMP 600S is a differential drive autonomous mobile robot, built to move material around a plant rather than sit in one cell.
What to Check Before You Buy
- Controller generation. Read the listing title for KRC2 or KRC4 and match it to your plant.
- Pendant and cables. Confirm the pendant and the robot connection cables between arm and controller are included, and check that cable length suits your layout.
- Dress pack. Welding and handling robots carry hoses and cables along the arm. We have a KUKA dress pack among our robot dress packs and accessories, and our notes on robot cable management are worth a read.
- Drive parts. For KUKA spares, our servo drives category carries KUKA KPP servo drives, and our industrial power supplies category has a KUKA KPP 600-20.
- Line integration. Know how the robot will talk to your PLC. Our guide to industrial robot I/O covers the basics.
- Tooling. Most used robots come without a gripper for your part. Plan your end of arm tooling up front.
- Freight and payment. Everything ships FOB Imlay City, Michigan, and the buyer arranges freight. See our financing options page if you want to spread out the cost.
KUKA Robots We Carry
On standard KUKA arms, the number after KR is the payload class in kilograms. Long arm L versions carry less, so check the listing. Stock changes often, so check each listing for what is current.
- KUKA KR6-2: 6 kg class payload, KRC2 ed05, 2011
- KUKA KR6 Arc: 6 kg class arc welding robot, KRC2, 2006
- KUKA KR6 R900: 6 kg class payload, KRC4
- KUKA KR16 L6-2: long arm version, KRC4, 2014
- KUKA KR16-2 robot cell: 16 kg class payload, KRC4, 2014
- KUKA KR30 L15/2 weld cell: long arm, 1998
- KUKA KR60 Jet gantry robot: 60 kg class payload, KRC4, 2012
- KUKA KR100-2 HA: 100 kg class payload, KRC2, 2008
- KUKA KMP 600S AMR: differential drive mobile robot, 2020
Have KUKA Robots to Sell?
We buy used KUKA robots, controllers and parts, from one unit to a full plant. Start with our sell your used robots page, see what RAB buys, or ask about machinery appraisals.
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