Head to head
FANUC M-10iD/12 vs KUKA KR 10 R1420
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Slim, hollow-wrist mid-payload for dense cells.
Mid reach arm for general assembly and handling
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The specs separate them here: the FANUC M-10iD/12 carries more, 12 kg to the KUKA KR 10 R1420's 10 kg. If precision drives the job, the FANUC M-10iD/12 holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.02 mm. They run different controllers, the FANUC M-10iD/12 on the R-30iB Plus and the KUKA KR 10 R1420 on the KR C4, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the FANUC M-10iD/12 lists Floor, Angle, and Inverted, and the KUKA KR 10 R1420 lists Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Angle. Both are aimed at material handling and machine tending, with the KUKA KR 10 R1420 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 FANUC M-10iD/12 when
- Internal cable routing reduces snagging
- Strong reach-to-footprint ratio
Watch for
- Mid payload only
Choose the KUKA KR 10 R1420 when
- Long reach for its weight class
- Consistent repeatability across the work envelope
- Compatible with KUKA's broad software ecosystem
- Easy to retrofit into existing cells
Watch for
- Needs a stable base for full reach accuracy
- Not designed for heavy tooling
Controller ecosystem
Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.
- Brand
- FANUC
- Controller
- R-30iB Plus
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the FANUC M-10iD/12 run through FANUC's R-30iB Plus stack.
- Brand
- KUKA
- Controller
- KR C4
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA KR 10 R1420 run through KUKA's KR C4 stack.
These arms run different controllers (R-30iB Plus 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 | FANUC M-10iD/12 | KUKA KR 10 R1420 |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor, Angle, and Inverted | Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Angle |
| Robot mass | 145 kg | 160 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP67 wrist & J3 arm / IP54 body (IP65 optional) | 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, machine tending, and assembly, with the differences below.
FANUC M-10iD/12 covers
KUKA KR 10 R1420 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-10iD/12 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 12 kg at 1441 mm with ±0.02 mm repeatability. The KUKA KR 10 R1420 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 10 kg at 1420 mm with ±0.04 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-10iD/12 or the KUKA KR 10 R1420?
- The FANUC M-10iD/12 has more payload at 12 kg versus 10 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The FANUC M-10iD/12 has more reach at 1441 mm versus 1420 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The FANUC M-10iD/12 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.02 mm.
- Should I choose the FANUC M-10iD/12 or the KUKA KR 10 R1420?
- Match the pick to the job. The FANUC M-10iD/12 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 12 kg and 1441 mm. The KUKA KR 10 R1420 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 10 kg and 1420 mm.
- Do the FANUC M-10iD/12 and KUKA KR 10 R1420 use the same controller?
- No. The FANUC M-10iD/12 uses R-30iB Plus and the KUKA KR 10 R1420 uses KR C4.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The FANUC M-10iD/12 is rated IP67 wrist & J3 arm / IP54 body (IP65 optional). The KUKA KR 10 R1420 is rated IP54. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.