Robotics in Manufacturing

Head to head

FANUC M-10iA/12 vs Kawasaki RS007L

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

FANUC2 of 5 categories
FANUC M-10iA/12

Compact fast arm for welding and light handling

Kawasaki2 of 5 categories
Kawasaki RS007L

Compact fast arm for handling and welding

Specification duel

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

12 kg
Payload
7 kg
1,420 mm
Reach
930 mm
±0.08 mm
Repeatability
±0.03 mm
6
Axes
6
130 kg
Robot mass
36 kg
Not confirmed
Introducedreference
2017

The verdict

The specs separate them here: the FANUC M-10iA/12 carries more, 12 kg to the Kawasaki RS007L's 7 kg, and the FANUC M-10iA/12 reaches farther, 1420 mm to 930 mm. If precision drives the job, the Kawasaki RS007L holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.03 mm. They run different controllers, the FANUC M-10iA/12 on the R-30iB Plus and the Kawasaki RS007L on the F60, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the FANUC M-10iA/12 lists Floor, Inverted, and Angle, and the Kawasaki RS007L lists Floor and Ceiling. Both are aimed at material handling and assembly, with the FANUC M-10iA/12 stretching to arc welding and the Kawasaki RS007L to machine tending.

Choose this one when

Job fit first, then the controller and cell constraints that decide which arm you can actually install.

Choose the FANUC M-10iA/12 when

  • Fast cycle times for its payload class
  • Hollow wrist simplifies cable and torch routing
  • Compact base footprint
  • Good reach-to-size ratio

Watch for

  • Payload limits it to light fixtures and tooling
  • Not intended for repeated heavy shock loads

Choose the Kawasaki RS007L when

  • Compact footprint for dense cells
  • Fast cycle times for light payloads
  • IP67 wrist for coolant and spatter exposure
  • Simple integration with F60 controller tools

Watch for

  • Reach is short for larger fixtures
  • Payload limits heavier gripper packages

Controller ecosystem

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

FANUC M-10iA/12
Brand
FANUC
Controller
R-30iB Plus
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the FANUC M-10iA/12 run through FANUC's R-30iB Plus stack.

Kawasaki RS007L
Brand
Kawasaki
Controller
F60
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the Kawasaki RS007L run through Kawasaki's F60 stack.

These arms run different controllers (R-30iB Plus vs F60). 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.

FieldFANUC M-10iA/12Kawasaki RS007L
MountingFloor, Inverted, and AngleFloor and Ceiling
Robot mass130 kg36 kg
Protection (IP)IP67 wrist & J3 arm / IP54 bodyIP67 wrist / IP65 base axes

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, assembly, and dispensing, with the differences below.

FANUC M-10iA/12 also covers

Kawasaki RS007L 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 FANUC M-10iA/12 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 12 kg at 1420 mm with ±0.08 mm repeatability. The Kawasaki RS007L is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 7 kg at 930 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 FANUC M-10iA/12 or the Kawasaki RS007L?
The FANUC M-10iA/12 has more payload at 12 kg versus 7 kg.
Which reaches farther?
The FANUC M-10iA/12 has more reach at 1420 mm versus 930 mm.
Which is more precise?
The Kawasaki RS007L holds tighter repeatability at ±0.03 mm.
Should I choose the FANUC M-10iA/12 or the Kawasaki RS007L?
Match the pick to the job. The FANUC M-10iA/12 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 12 kg and 1420 mm. The Kawasaki RS007L is a 6-axis industrial arm at 7 kg and 930 mm.
Do the FANUC M-10iA/12 and Kawasaki RS007L use the same controller?
No. The FANUC M-10iA/12 uses R-30iB Plus and the Kawasaki RS007L uses F60.
How do the IP ratings compare?
The FANUC M-10iA/12 is rated IP67 wrist & J3 arm / IP54 body. The Kawasaki RS007L is rated IP67 wrist / IP65 base axes. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.