The manufacturing industry has always been at the forefront of adopting new, innovative technologies. From AI, IoT and cloud, to sensors and connected devices, all are delivering significant value for manufacturers. Thanks to advances in technology, robotics has now come to the fore playing a vital role in manufacturing processes. Increasing interest from major manufacturers and the rapid demand of heavy payload robots strengthen the robotic market. It is expected that the heavy payload robotic arm market will reach from US$9,740.57 million in 2017 to US$13,620.96 million by 2025, at a growing CAGR of 4.39 percent.

So, owing to the rising demand, we have accumulated here 7 best lifting and mast robots shaping manufacturing for the future.

Universal Robots UR16e

Ideal for use in heavy machine tending, material handling, packaging, and screw and nut driving applications, the UR16e from Universal Robots delivers an intense 16 kg (35.3 lbs.) of payload capacity within a small footprint. Unlike the UR3e, UR5e and UR10e, the UR16e collaborative robot is designed for tasks, including heavy-duty material handling, heavy-part handling and machine tending. The UR16e involves built-in force sensing; 17 configurable safety functions, including customizable stopping time and stopping distance; and intuitive programming flow.

FANUC M-2000iA Series Robots

Having a 6-axis robotic arm, the M-2000iA series from FANUC is the strongest industrial robot capable of handling the 2300 kilograms of payload capacity. The robot’s unique wrist capacity makes it able to handle extremely large parts such as a complete automotive body and foundry parts. The M-2000iA can also do the work of conventional cranes, lifts and shuttles to upsurge output and ward off dodgy manual work.

Custom HD2 with 12Ft Mast, cRIO, and FLIR Camera

Manufactured by SuperDroid Robots, this is a custom robot based on a combination of the company’s HD2 platform and SD6 control system. Mounted a FLIR camera on a 12ft Zippermast gives the robot unparalleled surveillance capabilities. The robot also has front and rear IR cameras. The standard SD6 control system, developed jointly by SuperDroid Robots and National Instruments, is comprising a National Instruments CompactRIO (NI cRIO-9076) real-time controller and LX45 FPG, NI-9201 Analog Input Module, NI-9403 Digital I/O module, and NI-9870 Serial Interface module.

Mecademic’s Meca500

The Meca500, which is smaller than any other industrial robot and with an embedded controller, is an ultracompact six-axis industrial robot arm. Designed as a plug‑and‑work automation component, the robot is particularly easy to interface with any computing device like a PLC or a computer. Different from standard industrial robots that are programmed through proprietary programming language and interface, the Meca500 is controlled as an automation component, much similar to a smart electric gripper.

KUKA’s KR 1000 Titan

The KR 1000 titan from KUKA Robotics is a six-axis robot, which can move heavy parts and components safely and accurately, with over long distances of up to 6.5 meters. The robot is able to carry a payload capacity of 750-1300 kilograms. With its high accuracy, the KR 1000 titan robot offers companies the ability to improve their manufacturing quality and lessen costs. The robot can be integrated into existing systems easily, without the need to adapt the foundations.

Nachi Robotics’ MC280L

Developed by NACHI Robotics the MC280L is particularly designed for heavy and repetitive lifting tasks up to 280 kgs capacity where extended reach is required. The MC280L robot provides a striking 3101mm work envelope to perform work on a wide range of products or machines at the same time. Its better strength, rigidity, and reach allows it to exceed in large scales lifting operations such as car bodies, engines, foundry components, and other heavy industrial products.

ABB’s IRB 8700

The IRB 8700 robot is ABB’s 8th generation of heavy payload, high-performance industrial robot. It has a reach of 3.5 meters and able to handle a payload of up to 800 kg, as well as 1000 kg with the wrist down and 630 kg with LeanID. Built on a combination of robust design elements, IRB 8700 performs 25 percent faster than other robots in this size category. The robot’s features include highly reliable with simplified design and Foundry Plus 2 protection standard; built around LeanID for reduced wear on dress packs and ease of simulation; and designed to used non-hazardous materials.