Head to head
ABB IRB 1100 vs Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Small precise arm for assembly and dispensing
Collaborative arm for shared assembly workspaces
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The first question here is not specs but the cell: the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA is a collaborative arm designed for reduced-speed operation near people (fenceless only where an application risk assessment allows it), while the ABB IRB 1100 is a 6-axis industrial arm that runs behind a guard at full speed. They run different controllers, the ABB IRB 1100 on the OmniCore and the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA on the CR800-05VD, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the ABB IRB 1100 lists Any angle, and the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA lists Floor and Ceiling. Both are aimed at assembly and machine tending, with the ABB IRB 1100 stretching to dispensing.
Choose this one when
Job fit first, then the controller and cell constraints that decide which arm you can actually install.
Choose the ABB IRB 1100 when
- Very tight repeatability for small-parts work
- Compact size fits benchtop cells
- SafeMove options for shared workspace
- Fast for short-cycle assembly tasks
Watch for
- Low payload rules out heavier grippers
- Short reach limits fixture spread
Choose the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA when
- Power and force limiting on every joint
- Simple hand-guided teaching
- Compact footprint for benchtop cells
- Integrates with Mitsubishi's factory automation stack
Watch for
- Reduced speed near operators limits raw throughput
- Payload modest compared to caged industrial arms
Controller ecosystem
Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.
- Brand
- ABB
- Controller
- OmniCore
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the ABB IRB 1100 run through ABB's OmniCore stack.
- Brand
- Mitsubishi
- Controller
- CR800-05VD
- Class
- collaborative
Service, spares, and pendant training for the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA run through Mitsubishi's CR800-05VD stack.
These arms run different controllers (OmniCore vs CR800-05VD). If your team already programs one of them, retraining programmers and stocking a second set of spares usually costs more than a small payload or reach advantage on paper.
Mounting, footprint, and mass
How the arm can be oriented in the cell, and how much mass you have to mount.
| Field | ABB IRB 1100 | Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Any angle | Floor and Ceiling |
| Robot mass | 21 kg | 32 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP40 standard / IP67 option | IP54 |
Heavier arms want stiffer bases and more clearance around the swept volume, and they push freight and rigging costs up on the install. IP ratings only cover the section they name, so a wrist-only rating protects the wrist and nothing else; check the body rating separately before you commit the arm to a washdown or dusty cell.
Application fit
Where each arm is aimed, based on the applications listed on its robot page.
Both pages list assembly, machine tending, and packaging, with the differences below.
ABB IRB 1100 also covers
Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA covers
Speed and cycle-time planning
Speed is rarely a single datasheet number across brands. Use payload, reach, and class as the planning frame, then confirm cycle time in a path study.
The ABB IRB 1100 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 4 kg at 580 mm with ±0.01 mm repeatability. The Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA is a collaborative arm rated 5 kg at 910 mm with ±0.03 mm. Class changes how speed shows up in a cell: collaborative arms slow down near people and can speed up in a guarded mode, while industrial arms run at rated speed inside a fence or scanner field. Which arm cycles faster on your part depends on the path, the payload, and the safeguarding, so confirm the takt with a path study before you quote it.
Common questions
- Which has more payload, the ABB IRB 1100 or the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA?
- The Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA has more payload at 5 kg versus 4 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA has more reach at 910 mm versus 580 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The ABB IRB 1100 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.01 mm.
- Should I choose the ABB IRB 1100 or the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA?
- Match the pick to the job. The ABB IRB 1100 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 4 kg and 580 mm. The Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA is a collaborative arm at 5 kg and 910 mm.
- Do the ABB IRB 1100 and Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA use the same controller?
- No. The ABB IRB 1100 uses OmniCore and the Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA uses CR800-05VD.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The ABB IRB 1100 is rated IP40 standard / IP67 option. The Mitsubishi MELFA ASSISTA is rated IP54. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.