Head to head
ABB IRB 6640 vs FANUC M-410iC/185
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Heavy-payload foundry-proven material handler
Heavy-duty palletizer for bagged and boxed goods
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The ABB IRB 6640 is a 6-axis industrial arm and the FANUC M-410iC/185 is a palletizing arm, so this comes down to which job you are building the cell around rather than a spec-for-spec race. They run different controllers, the ABB IRB 6640 on the IRC5 and the FANUC M-410iC/185 on the R-30iB Plus, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Both are aimed at material handling and palletizing, with the ABB IRB 6640 stretching to machine tending and the FANUC M-410iC/185 to packaging.
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 6640 when
- Proven in foundry and press-tending duty
- High payload with foundry-sealed options
- Rigid structure holds accuracy under load
- Long service life in continuous operation
Watch for
- Large footprint and foundation needs
- Not economical for lighter-duty tasks
Choose the FANUC M-410iC/185 when
- Long reach covers multiple pallet positions
- High payload handles bagged and bulk loads
- Consistent stacking accuracy at speed
- Compatible with FANUC palletizing software tools
Watch for
- Large swing radius needs generous cell footprint
- Overkill for light carton palletizing
Controller ecosystem
Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.
- Brand
- ABB
- Controller
- IRC5
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the ABB IRB 6640 run through ABB's IRC5 stack.
- Brand
- FANUC
- Controller
- R-30iB Plus
- Class
- palletizing
Service, spares, and pendant training for the FANUC M-410iC/185 run through FANUC's R-30iB Plus stack.
These arms run different controllers (IRC5 vs R-30iB Plus). 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 6640 | FANUC M-410iC/185 |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor | Floor |
| Robot mass | 1,310 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP67 | 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 material handling and palletizing, with the differences below.
ABB IRB 6640 also covers
FANUC M-410iC/185 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 6640 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 235 kg at 2550 mm with ±0.05 mm repeatability. The FANUC M-410iC/185 is a palletizing arm rated 185 kg at 3143 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 6640 or the FANUC M-410iC/185?
- The ABB IRB 6640 has more payload at 235 kg versus 185 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The FANUC M-410iC/185 has more reach at 3143 mm versus 2550 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- Both are rated at ±0.05 mm repeatability.
- Should I choose the ABB IRB 6640 or the FANUC M-410iC/185?
- Match the pick to the job. The ABB IRB 6640 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 235 kg and 2550 mm. The FANUC M-410iC/185 is a palletizing arm at 185 kg and 3143 mm.
- Do the ABB IRB 6640 and FANUC M-410iC/185 use the same controller?
- No. The ABB IRB 6640 uses IRC5 and the FANUC M-410iC/185 uses R-30iB Plus.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The ABB IRB 6640 is rated IP67. The FANUC M-410iC/185 is rated IP54. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.