Head to head
FANUC M-900iB/700 vs KUKA KR 500 FORTEC
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Heavy-payload giant for press tending and casting
Very heavy payload robot for large component 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-900iB/700 carries more, 700 kg to the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC's 500 kg. If precision drives the job, the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.08 mm. They run different controllers, the FANUC M-900iB/700 on the R-30iB Plus and the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC on the KR C5, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Both are aimed at material handling, with the FANUC M-900iB/700 stretching to machine tending and the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC to palletizing and press 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-900iB/700 when
- Very high payload for a standard six-axis arm
- Rigid structure holds accuracy under heavy loads
- Long service life in foundry and press duty
- Wide selection of heavy-duty EOAT partners
Watch for
- Large footprint and foundation requirements
- Not economical for light-duty applications
Choose the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC when
- Very high payload capacity
- Stiff frame holds accuracy under heavy load
- Suited to multi shift heavy industry use
- Wide range of end of arm tooling support
Watch for
- Large footprint and mass need dedicated foundation work
- Not intended for light or high speed tasks
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-900iB/700 run through FANUC's R-30iB Plus stack.
- Brand
- KUKA
- Controller
- KR C5
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC run through KUKA's KR C5 stack.
These arms run different controllers (R-30iB Plus vs KR C5). 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-900iB/700 | KUKA KR 500 FORTEC |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor | Floor |
| Robot mass | 2,800 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP67 wrist & J3 arm / body standard (opt. IP54 / IP56) | IP65 |
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, with the differences below.
FANUC M-900iB/700 also covers
KUKA KR 500 FORTEC 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-900iB/700 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 700 kg at 2832 mm with ±0.1 mm repeatability. The KUKA KR 500 FORTEC is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 500 kg at 2826 mm with ±0.08 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-900iB/700 or the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC?
- The FANUC M-900iB/700 has more payload at 700 kg versus 500 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The FANUC M-900iB/700 has more reach at 2832 mm versus 2826 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The KUKA KR 500 FORTEC holds tighter repeatability at ±0.08 mm.
- Should I choose the FANUC M-900iB/700 or the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC?
- Match the pick to the job. The FANUC M-900iB/700 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 700 kg and 2832 mm. The KUKA KR 500 FORTEC is a 6-axis industrial arm at 500 kg and 2826 mm.
- Do the FANUC M-900iB/700 and KUKA KR 500 FORTEC use the same controller?
- No. The FANUC M-900iB/700 uses R-30iB Plus and the KUKA KR 500 FORTEC uses KR C5.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The FANUC M-900iB/700 is rated IP67 wrist & J3 arm / body standard (opt. IP54 / IP56). The KUKA KR 500 FORTEC is rated IP65. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.