On a used FANUC robot, the software options are tied to the controller. Those options decide what the robot is set up to do, whether that is arc welding, spot welding, material handling or vision guided picking. Before you buy, ask which options are loaded, whether the robot is registered, and whether it has what your application needs.
What Software Options Are
A FANUC controller runs a core system plus application software and a set of options on top. The application software is built around a type of job. Names you will see on FANUC robots include ArcTool for welding, SpotTool for spot welding and HandlingTool for material handling. Options add specific functions on top of that, such as iRVision for camera guided work.
Two robots with the same arm and the same controller can be set up very differently. One might be ready for arc welding, and the other set up for material handling. The arm looks the same on the floor. The difference is in the controller.
Why It Matters on a Used Robot
Most used robots spent their first life doing one job. A robot pulled off a body line may have been set up for robotic spot welding. A robot from a packaging line may have been set up for palletizing. That history tells you what the robot was doing. It does not tell you what is on the controller today, or whether it matches your job.
If you are putting the robot on a different job than it came from, the software question comes first. A robot going into machine tending, robotic dispensing or a vision cell needs the options for that job, not the job it left.
What Our Listings Say About Software
Some of our FANUC listings state that fully relicensed FANUC software is included. Some say you can choose your software package. Some of our never used units include registered software and 24/7 technical support from FANUC America. You will find those on our never used FANUC robots page, and the rest of the line on our used FANUC robots page.
Read the listing for the unit you want. If it does not spell out the software, ask before you buy, and get the answer on your quote.
Registration
Ask whether the robot is registered. If having FANUC support on the unit matters to your plant, put that question near the top of your list. FANUC America is the one to confirm what support covers for a given robot, so take any detailed support questions to them.
Controller Generation Sets the Ceiling
The software you can run depends on the controller generation. The options available on an older RJ3 controller or R-J3iB controller are not the same as on a newer R-30iA controller, R-30iB controller or R-30iB Plus controller. If the job calls for a newer function, check that it exists for the controller you are buying before you count on it.
Our guide to FANUC robot controllers walks through each generation. If you are looking at a standalone unit like our FANUC RJ3iB controller, the same questions apply: what is loaded on it and does it match the arm and the job.
Vision and Force Sensing
Vision is a good example of an option that has to be there for the job to work. A camera on the arm does nothing without the vision software on the controller to go with it. Our post on industrial robotic vision covers how vision is used. If you need it, confirm the vision option is loaded and that the camera hardware comes with the robot.
Force sensing works the same way. A sensor like our FANUC force sensor needs matching software on the controller. Ask about both the hardware and the software.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Which application software is loaded. HandlingTool, ArcTool, SpotTool or another package.
- Which options are loaded. Ask for the list, and check it against what your cell needs.
- Whether the robot is registered. And whether the listing says anything about FANUC support.
- Whether a program backup comes with it. Useful if you are moving the robot into a similar job.
- How it will talk to your line. Our post on industrial robot I/O covers the basics.
- What pendant comes with it. The pendant is where you work with the software. See our post on the FANUC tablet teach pendant.
FANUC Robots to Ask About
The controller generation is shown on each listing, so start there.
- FANUC Arcmate 120iD, never used: R-30iB Plus controller
- FANUC M-20iD/25, never used: R-30iB Plus controller
- FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7L, never used: R30iB Compact Plus controller
- Genesis FANUC Arcmate 100iC/12 weld cells: R-30iB controller, 2015
- FANUC R-2000iB/165F spot welding robots: R-30iB controller, 2014
- FANUC M-20iA/35M: R-30iB Plus and R-30iB controllers
- FANUC M3iA/6S delta robot: R-30iB controller, 2012
- FANUC servo dispenser applicators: Sealant Equipment and Engineering dispensers
Related Guides
Selling FANUC Robots?
If you have FANUC robots to sell, list the model and controller on our sell your machinery page, and note what software is loaded if you know it. You can also ask about our robot appraisal services. Buyers can check our equipment financing page.
To ask about the software on a specific unit, call 586-752-0090, extension 1 for sales, or contact our sales team.