FAIRINO FR5 Review: Specs, Price and Applications of the 5 kg Cobot
Updated: 7 days ago
The FAIRINO FR5 is a 6-axis collaborative robot with a 5 kg payload, a 922 mm reach and ±0.02 mm repeatability, sold in the United States from USD 7,999. 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 FR5 is the general-purpose model in FAIRINO's FR series and a common first cobot for small and mid-size manufacturers. It combines a mid-range working envelope with IP66 protection, an EtherCAT-based control system and open software interfaces, at a price well below most 5 kg cobots from long-established brands. It suits pick-and-place, machine loading, light assembly, inspection, lab automation and compact welding cells.
FAIRINO FR5 at a Glance
Payload: 5 kg
Reach: 922 mm
Axes: 6 rotating joints
Repeatability: ±0.02 mm
Typical TCP speed: 1 m/s
Arm weight: about 22 kg
Protection: IP66
Price: from USD 7,999
FAIRINO FR5 Technical Specifications
The table below lists the published specifications of the FAIRINO FR5.
Specification | FAIRINO FR5 |
Manufacturer | FAIRINO |
Model | FR5 |
Robot type | Collaborative robot (cobot), 6-axis |
Rated payload | 5 kg |
Reach | 922 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 | ≈ 22 kg (without cable) |
Footprint (base diameter) | 128 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 FR5 in-house, using a modular joint design. Each joint has full closed-loop torque feedback, which underpins the arm's 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. That makes it usable near coolant, chips and washdown areas where many lightweight cobots need an additional protective jacket. It operates from 0 to 45 °C at up to 90% non-condensing humidity, and noise stays below 65 dB.
Footprint and Weight
At about 22 kg with a 128 mm base, the FR5 fits on a mobile cart, a pedestal or directly on a machine table. The arm is built from aluminium and steel.
Programming and Software
No-Code Teaching
The FR5 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 move the arm by hand to record positions, so simple pick-and-place routines can be built without writing code.
SDKs and ROS Support
For custom applications, FAIRINO provides SDKs for Python, C#, and C++, and the robot supports ROS and ROS2 for secondary development. This makes the FR5 a practical platform for research labs, universities and integrators building their own software.
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. The system is built on an EtherCAT bus architecture for real-time control.
FAIRINO FR5 Applications and Use Cases
FAIRINO lists the FR5 for industries including 3C electronics, semiconductors, metal processing, industrial gluing and retail food and coffee service. These are the applications where it is most often deployed.
Robotic Welding
Fairino USA builds compact welding cells around the FR5, paired with an Everlast 503DPI MIG welder or an Everlast 1500 W laser. A roll-anywhere cart version with a magnetic base is listed at USD 22,000 (MIG) or USD 29,000 (laser), and a welding-table version with a custom jig at USD 32,500 (MIG) or USD 39,500 (laser). Both use a wrist torque sensor and one-button path teaching, and target prototypes, short runs and small to mid-size fabrication shops.
Pick and Place
Turnkey pick-and-place cells combine the FR5 with a pedestal, a configured gripper and a code-free HMI for teaching points and switching recipes. Typical tasks are material handling, packaging, kitting and line feeding. Fairino USA lists the FR5 pick-and-place cell at USD 13,400 including setup and training.
Bin Picking with Vision
With a smart camera added, the same cell handles bin picking, presence checks, barcode and QR reading and basic measurement. The FR5 bin-picking package with the vision system is listed at USD 23,800 delivered.
Machine Tending, Assembly and Inspection
The 5 kg payload and ±0.02 mm repeatability suit loading and unloading small parts on CNC machines, screwdriving and light assembly, and positioning cameras or probes for quality inspection. For parts heavier than about 3–4 kg including the gripper, the larger FR10 or FR16 is the better fit.
FAIRINO FR5 Price and Value
The FAIRINO FR5 is listed at USD 7,999 by Fairino USA. The price covers the robot arm and controller; grippers, pedestals, vision and integration are quoted separately. Prices are indicative, are not final and may change.
FAIRINO FR5 vs Universal Robots UR5e
The closest equivalent from Universal Robots is the UR5e, which shares the 5 kg payload class.
FAIRINO FR5 | Universal Robots UR5e | |
Payload | 5 kg | 5 kg |
Reach | 922 mm | 850 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Starting price | From USD 7,999 | From USD 35,000 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
Low entry price for a 5 kg industrial cobot
IP66 protection as standard
922 mm reach, longer than many arms in the 5 kg class
Open platform: Python, C#, C++ SDKs and ROS / ROS2
Broad fieldbus support, including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link
Drag teaching and graphical programming for fast setup
Cons
5 kg payload includes the gripper, which limits heavier parts
End effectors, pedestal and vision are purchased separately
As with any cobot, each application still needs its own safety risk assessment
Who Should Buy the FAIRINO FR5?
The FR5 fits manufacturers automating a first cell on a limited budget, job shops that need a robot they can move between tasks, system integrators who want open interfaces, and labs or universities working in Python or ROS. If your parts and tooling together exceed 5 kg, or you need more than 922 mm of reach, look at the FR10 or the long-reach FR5-WML instead.
See the full FAIRINO FR5 product listing on All Things Cobots.
FAIRINO FR5 FAQ
How much does the FAIRINO FR5 cost?
The FAIRINO FR5 is listed from USD 7,999 at Fairino USA. The price is indicative and may change, and it does not include grippers, a pedestal or integration.
What is the payload and reach of the FAIRINO FR5?
The FR5 has a rated payload of 5 kg and a reach of 922 mm.
How accurate is the FAIRINO FR5?
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 FR5?
The FR5 is rated IP66, which means it is dust-tight and protected against strong water jets.
How is the FAIRINO FR5 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.
Can the FAIRINO FR5 be used for welding?
Yes. Fairino USA offers FR5 welding cells with an Everlast MIG welder or a 1500 W laser, starting at USD 22,000 for the MIG cart version.
Which communication protocols does the FAIRINO FR5 support?
It supports digital and analog I/O, TCP/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link.
How does the FAIRINO FR5 compare with the Universal Robots UR5e?
Both are 6-axis cobots with a 5 kg payload. The FR5 has a 922 mm reach against 850 mm for the UR5e, and starts at USD 7,999 compared with about USD 35,000 for the UR5e.
Specifications and prices are based on manufacturer and distributor information. Prices are indicative, are not final and may change.
