FAIRINO FR16 Review: Specs, Price and Applications of the 16 kg Cobot
Updated: 7 days ago
The FAIRINO FR16 is a 6-axis collaborative robot with a 16 kg payload, a 1034 mm reach and ±0.02 mm repeatability, sold in the United States from USD 11,699. This review covers its full specifications, build quality, programming options, real applications and price, so you can decide whether it fits your automation project.
Quick Verdict
The FR16 is the high-payload, short-reach model in FAIRINO's FR series. It lifts 16 kg within a 1034 mm reach and still holds ±0.02 mm repeatability, so it suits machine tending, heavier assembly and handling tasks where load capacity and precision matter more than reach. It is listed at USD 11,699.
FAIRINO FR16 at a Glance
Payload: 16 kg
Reach: 1034 mm
Axes: 6 rotating joints
Repeatability: ±0.02 mm
Speed: 1 m/s typical TCP speed
Arm weight: about 40 kg
Protection: IP66
Price: from USD 11,699
FAIRINO FR16 Technical Specifications
The table below lists the published specifications of the FAIRINO FR16.
Specification | FAIRINO FR16 |
Manufacturer | FAIRINO |
Model | FR16 |
Robot type | Collaborative robot (cobot), 6-axis |
Rated payload | 16 kg |
Reach | 1034 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm |
Pose repeatability (ISO 9283) | ±0.03 mm |
Typical TCP speed | 1 m/s |
Maximum joint speed | 180°/s |
Arm weight | ≈ 40 kg |
Footprint (base diameter) | 190 mm |
IP rating | IP66 |
Noise level | < 65 dB |
Operating temperature | 0–45 °C |
Operating humidity | Up to 90% RH, non-condensing |
Materials | Aluminium, steel |
Tool I/O | 2 digital inputs, 2 digital outputs, 1 analog input, 1 analog output |
HMI | 10.1-inch teach pendant or web app on a mobile device |
Control architecture | EtherCAT bus |
Communication | Digital/analog I/O, TCP/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link |
Software development | SDKs for Python, C#, C++; ROS / ROS2 |
Certifications | CE; ISO 10218 / ISO/TS 15066 |
Joint Range and Speed
Axis | Working range | Maximum speed |
J1 | ±175° | 180°/s |
J2 | +85° / −265° | 180°/s |
J3 | ±150° | 180°/s |
J4 | +85° / −265° | 180°/s |
J5 | ±175° | 180°/s |
J6 | ±175° | 180°/s |
Design and Build Quality
FAIRINO develops and produces the core components of the FR16 in-house, with a modular joint design. Each joint has full closed-loop torque feedback, which underpins collision detection and smooth hand-guiding.
Protection and Operating Environment
The arm is rated IP66, so it is sealed against dust and strong water jets and can work beside CNC machines with coolant and chips. It operates from 0 to 45 °C at up to 90% non-condensing humidity, and noise stays below 65 dB.
Footprint and Weight
The FR16 shares the 190 mm base and roughly 40 kg arm weight of the FR10, but trades reach for stiffness and payload. The arm is built from aluminium and steel.
Programming and Software
No-Code Teaching
The FR16 is programmed through a graphical interface on a 10.1-inch teach pendant or a web app that runs on a tablet or phone. Drag teaching lets an operator guide the arm by hand to record positions, so routine handling tasks can be set up without writing code.
SDKs and ROS Support
FAIRINO provides SDKs for Python, C#, and C++, and the FR16 supports ROS and ROS2. That makes it usable as a development platform for integrators, universities and research labs.
Industrial Communication
The controller communicates over digital and analog I/O, TCP/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link, covering the common PLC and machine interfaces on a factory floor.
FAIRINO FR16 Applications and Use Cases
CNC Machine Tending
Fairino USA builds modular machine-tending cells around the FR16 for parts up to 16 kg. The cell with an open drawer index base is listed at USD 39,000 and the peg-index version for low-volume, high-precision work at USD 42,000. Options include tower lights, safety area scanners and CNC door actuators.
Enclosed High-Volume Cells
For high-volume production, the same robot is offered in an enclosed cabinet with interlocked doors, chip management and optional vision, barcode reading and MES links. The FR16 version is listed at USD 50,500.
Heavy Assembly and Material Handling
The 16 kg capacity leaves room for a heavy gripper or a dual gripper plus the part. That suits loading castings and billets, handling filled totes and assembling heavier sub-components where a 10 kg arm runs out of margin.
FAIRINO FR16 Price and Value
The FAIRINO FR16 is listed at USD 11,699 by Fairino USA. Grippers, mounting hardware, vision and integration are quoted separately. Prices are indicative, are not final and may change.
FAIRINO FR16 vs Universal Robots UR16e
The closest equivalent from Universal Robots is the UR16e.
FAIRINO FR16 | Universal Robots UR16e | |
Payload | 16 kg | 16 kg |
Reach | 1034 mm | 900 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.05 mm |
IP rating | IP66 | IP54 |
Arm weight | 40 kg | 33.1 kg |
Starting price | From USD 11,699 | From USD 59,300 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
16 kg payload with ±0.02 mm repeatability
1034 mm reach, longer than the 900 mm of the UR16e
IP66 protection as standard
Machine-tending cells with published prices
Open platform: Python, C#, C++ SDKs and ROS / ROS2
Cons
1034 mm reach is short for palletizing or large work envelopes
At about 40 kg the arm needs a rigid pedestal or base
End effectors, pedestal and vision are purchased separately
Who Should Buy the FAIRINO FR16?
The FR16 fits machine shops loading heavier parts, plants that need dual grippers for faster machine cycles, and assembly lines handling components between 10 and 16 kg. If you need reach more than payload, look at the FR10; for palletizing, the FR20 is the better fit.
See the full FAIRINO FR16 product listing on All Things Cobots.
FAIRINO FR16 FAQ
How much does the FAIRINO FR16 cost?
The FAIRINO FR16 is listed from USD 11,699 at Fairino USA. The price is indicative and may change, and it does not include grippers, mounting hardware or integration.
What is the payload and reach of the FAIRINO FR16?
The FR16 has a rated payload of 16 kg and a reach of 1034 mm.
How accurate is the FAIRINO FR16?
Its repeatability is ±0.02 mm, with a pose repeatability of ±0.03 mm measured per ISO 9283.
What is the IP rating of the FAIRINO FR16?
The FR16 is rated IP66, which means it is dust-tight and protected against strong water jets.
How is the FAIRINO FR16 programmed?
It is programmed with graphical programming and drag teaching on a 10.1-inch teach pendant or a web app. Developers can also use SDKs for Python, C#, and C++, or ROS and ROS2.
Which communication protocols does the FAIRINO FR16 support?
It supports digital and analog I/O, TCP/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link.
How does the FAIRINO FR16 compare with the Universal Robots UR16e?
The FR16 offers a 16 kg payload and 1034 mm reach from USD 11,699. The UR16e offers 16 kg and 900 mm, from USD 59,300.
Specifications and prices are based on manufacturer and distributor information. Prices are indicative, are not final and may change.
