Robotics in Manufacturing

Head to head

ABB IRB 5710 vs KUKA KR 120 R2700-2

A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.

ABB2 of 5 categories
ABB IRB 5710

Slim paint-family arm for finishing and dispensing

KUKA2 of 5 categories
KUKA KR 120 R2700-2

Workhorse heavy robot for general industrial handling

Specification duel

Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.

110 kg
Payload
120 kg
2,300 mm
Reach
2,701 mm
±0.04 mm
Repeatability
±0.05 mm
6
Axes
6
830 kg
Robot mass
1,069 kg
2022
Introducedreference
2019

The verdict

On paper these two are close, 110 kg against 120 kg and 2300 mm against 2701 mm of reach, near enough that the spec sheet alone will not decide it. They run different controllers, the ABB IRB 5710 on the OmniCore V250XT and the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 on the KR C4, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the ABB IRB 5710 lists Floor, Angled, Inverted, and Semi shelf, and the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 lists Floor. They target different work: the ABB IRB 5710 at painting and dispensing, the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 at palletizing and material handling.

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 5710 when

  • Slim profile for tight booth clearance
  • Sealed construction for solvent exposure
  • Long reach for full-panel coverage
  • Internal process line routing

Watch for

  • Payload is tuned for applicators, not general tooling
  • Booth duty requires solvent-rated maintenance schedule

Choose the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 when

  • Well proven QUANTEC platform
  • Flexible mounting including ceiling
  • Strong payload to footprint ratio
  • Broad tooling and integration support

Watch for

  • Large swing radius needs cell space planning
  • Heavier tooling reduces effective payload margin

Controller ecosystem

Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.

ABB IRB 5710
Brand
ABB
Controller
OmniCore V250XT
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the ABB IRB 5710 run through ABB's OmniCore V250XT stack.

KUKA KR 120 R2700-2
Brand
KUKA
Controller
KR C4
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 run through KUKA's KR C4 stack.

These arms run different controllers (OmniCore V250XT vs KR C4). 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.

FieldABB IRB 5710KUKA KR 120 R2700-2
MountingFloor, Angled, Inverted, and Semi shelfFloor
Robot mass830 kg1,069 kg
Protection (IP)IP67IP65 body / IP65 or IP67 in-line wrist

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.

These two pages list different application sets, so start from the job you're quoting and use the specs as a filter after that.

ABB IRB 5710 also 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 5710 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 110 kg at 2300 mm with ±0.04 mm repeatability. The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 120 kg at 2701 mm with ±0.05 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 5710 or the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2?
The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 has more payload at 120 kg versus 110 kg.
Which reaches farther?
The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 has more reach at 2701 mm versus 2300 mm.
Which is more precise?
The ABB IRB 5710 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.04 mm.
Should I choose the ABB IRB 5710 or the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2?
Match the pick to the job. The ABB IRB 5710 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 110 kg and 2300 mm. The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 120 kg and 2701 mm.
Do the ABB IRB 5710 and KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 use the same controller?
No. The ABB IRB 5710 uses OmniCore V250XT and the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 uses KR C4.
How do the IP ratings compare?
The ABB IRB 5710 is rated IP67. The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 is rated IP65 body / IP65 or IP67 in-line wrist. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.