Sponsored Article
28 May 2026
FANUC has introduced the CRX-3iA collaborative robot, the lightest and smallest model in the CRX portfolio to date.
With a total weight of just 11kg, the cobot is compact, portable, intuitive and precise, making it well suited for welding applications – it can be carried easily with just one hand, allowing a single person to supervise multiple welding locations and mitigating the Europe-wide shortage of skilled welders.
Boasting a 3kg payload, the CRX-3iA can manipulate a welding torch and a seam-tracking sensor simultaneously, while its ±0.02 mm repeatability is said to deliver the precision necessary for critical welding tasks. It automatically detects its installation angle after relocation and identifies weld seam locations and calculates paths accordingly, thanks to a third-party laser scanner or touch sensor. Meanwhile, an optional magnetic base enables it to be secured directly to large steel structures. This reduces system complexity compared with traditional robot installations, which typically need heavier equipment and additional safeguarding measures.
The CRX-3iA integrates fully with FANUC’s established control and software ecosystem. It also incorporates FANUC’s wrist button technology, which allows operators to guide and teach positions directly from the robot arm, streamlining programming and shortening changeover times.
Beyond welding, the cobot can also undertake applications such as intralogistics and mobile automation.
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