Head to head
FANUC SR-6iA vs Omron i4
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Fast SCARA for assembly and packaging lines
Compact SCARA for light assembly and packaging
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The specs separate them here: the FANUC SR-6iA carries more, 6 kg to the Omron i4's 5 kg. They run different controllers, the FANUC SR-6iA on the R-30iB Compact Plus and the Omron i4 on the Built-in internal controller, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the FANUC SR-6iA lists Floor and Wall, and the Omron i4 lists Table and Wall. Both are aimed at assembly and packaging, with the FANUC SR-6iA stretching 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 SR-6iA when
- High-speed planar motion for pick-and-place
- Tight repeatability for small parts assembly
- Compact footprint for dense cell layouts
- Shares programming with FANUC six-axis lines
Watch for
- Planar kinematics limit orientation flexibility
- Not suited to tasks needing large vertical stroke
Choose the Omron i4 when
- Very compact for dense bench cells
- Tight repeatability for small-parts assembly
- Integrates with Omron vision and PLC systems
- Low mass simplifies mounting
Watch for
- Low payload limits heavier tooling
- Short reach compared to larger SCARA arms
Controller ecosystem
Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.
- Brand
- FANUC
- Controller
- R-30iB Compact Plus
- Class
- SCARA
Service, spares, and pendant training for the FANUC SR-6iA run through FANUC's R-30iB Compact Plus stack.
- Brand
- Omron
- Controller
- Built-in internal controller
- Class
- SCARA
Service, spares, and pendant training for the Omron i4 run through Omron's Built-in internal controller stack.
These arms run different controllers (R-30iB Compact Plus vs Built-in internal controller). 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 SR-6iA | Omron i4 |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor and Wall | Table and Wall |
| Robot mass | 30 kg | 16.5 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP20 | IP20 / NEMA Type 1 |
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 assembly, packaging, and dispensing, with the differences below.
FANUC SR-6iA also covers
Omron i4 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 SR-6iA is a SCARA arm rated 6 kg at 650 mm with ±0.01 mm repeatability. The Omron i4 is a SCARA arm rated 5 kg at 550 mm with ±0.01 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 SR-6iA or the Omron i4?
- The FANUC SR-6iA has more payload at 6 kg versus 5 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The FANUC SR-6iA has more reach at 650 mm versus 550 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- Both are rated at ±0.01 mm repeatability.
- Should I choose the FANUC SR-6iA or the Omron i4?
- Match the pick to the job. The FANUC SR-6iA is a SCARA arm at 6 kg and 650 mm. The Omron i4 is a SCARA arm at 5 kg and 550 mm.
- Do the FANUC SR-6iA and Omron i4 use the same controller?
- No. The FANUC SR-6iA uses R-30iB Compact Plus and the Omron i4 uses Built-in internal controller.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The FANUC SR-6iA is rated IP20. The Omron i4 is rated IP20 / NEMA Type 1. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.