Head to head
Comau NJ-165 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.
Heavy duty robot for handling and press tending
Workhorse heavy robot for general industrial handling
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The specs separate them here: the Comau NJ-165 carries more, 165 kg to the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2's 120 kg. If precision drives the job, the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.05 mm. They run different controllers, the Comau NJ-165 on the C5G 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 Comau NJ-165 lists Floor and Ceiling, and the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 lists Floor.
Choose this one when
Job fit first, then the controller and cell constraints that decide which arm you can actually install.
Choose the Comau NJ-165 when
- High payload for large part transfer
- Stiff arm holds accuracy under heavy load
- Proven in press tending and foundry lines
- Broad tooling compatibility
Watch for
- Large footprint and mass need dedicated foundation work
- Not suited to light or high speed tasks
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.
- Brand
- Comau
- Controller
- C5G
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the Comau NJ-165 run through Comau's C5G stack.
- 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 (C5G 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.
| Field | Comau NJ-165 | KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor and Ceiling | Floor |
| Robot mass | 1,240 kg | 1,069 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP65 / IP67 | IP65 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.
Both pages list material handling, press tending, palletizing, and machine tending.
Comau NJ-165 covers
KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 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 Comau NJ-165 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 165 kg at 3000 mm with ±0.09 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 Comau NJ-165 or the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2?
- The Comau NJ-165 has more payload at 165 kg versus 120 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The Comau NJ-165 has more reach at 3000 mm versus 2701 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.05 mm.
- Should I choose the Comau NJ-165 or the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2?
- Match the pick to the job. The Comau NJ-165 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 165 kg and 3000 mm. The KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 120 kg and 2701 mm.
- Do the Comau NJ-165 and KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 use the same controller?
- No. The Comau NJ-165 uses C5G and the KUKA KR 120 R2700-2 uses KR C4.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The Comau NJ-165 is rated IP65 / 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.