Head to head
KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 vs Universal Robots UR3e
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Easy to program cobot for light assembly and pick tasks
Small tabletop cobot for light assembly tasks
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The specs separate them here: the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 reaches farther, 760 mm to 500 mm. If precision drives the job, the Universal Robots UR3e holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.03 mm. They run different controllers, the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 on the KR C5 micro and the Universal Robots UR3e on the e-Series Control Box, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 lists Floor, Wall, Ceiling, and Angle, and the Universal Robots UR3e lists Any orientation.
Choose this one when
Job fit first, then the controller and cell constraints that decide which arm you can actually install.
Choose the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 when
- Fast setup with app based programming
- Low entry cost for a KUKA cobot
- Compact size fits benchtop cells
- Designed for collaborative applications
Watch for
- Light payload limits it to small parts
- Speed is capped by collaborative safety limits
Choose the Universal Robots UR3e when
- Very compact for tight benchtop cells
- Fast setup with polyscope programming
- Any orientation mounting
- Low integration cost for light tasks
Watch for
- Light payload limits it to small parts
- Short reach compared to larger UR models
Controller ecosystem
Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.
- Brand
- KUKA
- Controller
- KR C5 micro
- Class
- collaborative
Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 run through KUKA's KR C5 micro stack.
- Brand
- Universal Robots
- Controller
- e-Series Control Box
- Class
- collaborative
Service, spares, and pendant training for the Universal Robots UR3e run through Universal Robots's e-Series Control Box stack.
These arms run different controllers (KR C5 micro vs e-Series Control Box). 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 | KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 | Universal Robots UR3e |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor, Wall, Ceiling, and Angle | Any orientation |
| Robot mass | 22.8 kg | 11.2 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP30 | 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 collaborative assembly, pick and place, and small parts handling.
KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 covers
- collaborative assembly
- pick and place
- small parts handling
Universal Robots UR3e covers
- collaborative assembly
- small parts handling
- pick and place
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 KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 is a collaborative arm rated 3 kg at 760 mm with ±0.1 mm repeatability. The Universal Robots UR3e is a collaborative arm rated 3 kg at 500 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 KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 or the Universal Robots UR3e?
- The KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 and Universal Robots UR3e match at 3 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 has more reach at 760 mm versus 500 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The Universal Robots UR3e holds tighter repeatability at ±0.03 mm.
- Should I choose the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 or the Universal Robots UR3e?
- Match the pick to the job. The KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 is a collaborative arm at 3 kg and 760 mm. The Universal Robots UR3e is a collaborative arm at 3 kg and 500 mm.
- Do the KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 and Universal Robots UR3e use the same controller?
- No. The KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 uses KR C5 micro and the Universal Robots UR3e uses e-Series Control Box.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760 is rated IP30. The Universal Robots UR3e is rated IP54. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.