FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC vs ABB IRB 1600: Clean-Room vs General-Purpose Robot
The FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC and the ABB IRB 1600 are built for different environments. The LR Mate 7LC is a clean-room robot for electronics and medical production, at half the price. The IRB 1600 is a general-purpose industrial robot with 6 or 10 kg payload and up to 1450 mm reach.
Quick verdict. The FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC is the better choice for clean-room handling, with 7 kg over 911 mm, ±0.01 mm repeatability and a listed price 50% lower. The ABB IRB 1600 is the better choice for general machine tending and handling with heavier parts and larger cells.
LR Mate 200iD/7LC and IRB 1600 at a glance
The FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC carries 7 kg over 911 mm, repeats to ±0.01 mm, weighs 27 kg and runs on the R-30iB Mate Plus controller.
The ABB IRB 1600 carries 6 or 10 kg over 1200 or 1450 mm, repeats to ±0.02 mm (±0.05 mm for the 10 kg long-reach version) and runs on IRC5 or OmniCore.
Main specification comparison
Specification | FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC | ABB IRB 1600 |
Brand | FANUC | ABB |
Listed price | $21,000 | $42,000 |
Payload | 7 kg | 6–10 kg |
Reach | 911 mm | 1200–1450 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.01 mm | ±0.02–0.05 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | 27 kg | Not specified |
Controller | R-30iB Mate Plus | ABB IRC5 or OmniCore |
Price comparison
FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC: listed from $21,000
ABB IRB 1600: listed from $42,000
Difference: $21,000
The LR Mate 7LC costs 50% less
Environment
The LR Mate 7LC is FANUC's clean-room version of the long-arm LR Mate, for production where particle emission must be controlled, such as electronics, semiconductors and medical devices. The IRB 1600 is a general-purpose robot for standard industrial cells. Buyers with clean-room requirements should confirm the class needed with each maker.
Payload and reach
The LR Mate 7LC carries 7 kg over 911 mm. The IRB 1600 carries 6 or 10 kg over 1200 or 1450 mm, which suits heavier parts and handling between stations.
Precision and controllers
FANUC publishes ±0.01 mm repeatability for the LR Mate 7LC, against ±0.02 to ±0.05 mm for the IRB 1600. The LR Mate 7LC weighs 27 kg and runs on the compact R-30iB Mate Plus; ABB runs the IRB 1600 on IRC5 or OmniCore.
Best applications for the LR Mate 200iD/7LC
Clean-room handling
Electronics and medical device production
Precise loading up to 7 kg
Best applications for the ABB IRB 1600
Machine tending up to 10 kg
Material handling across 1450 mm
Process applications
LR Mate 200iD/7LC advantages
Clean-room design
±0.01 mm repeatability
50% lower listed price
LR Mate 200iD/7LC limitations
911 mm reach
ABB IRB 1600 advantages
Up to 10 kg payload
Up to 1450 mm reach
ABB IRB 1600 limitations
Listed price twice as high
Final verdict
Choose the FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC for clean-room work. Choose the ABB IRB 1600 for general-purpose cells with heavier parts.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, the FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7LC or the ABB IRB 1600?
The LR Mate 7LC is listed from $21,000 and the IRB 1600 from $42,000, a difference of $21,000.
What is the LR Mate 200iD/7LC?
It is FANUC's clean-room version of the long-arm LR Mate 200iD/7L.
Which robot carries more?
The IRB 1600 carries 6 or 10 kg; the LR Mate 7LC 7 kg.
Which robot is more precise?
The LR Mate 7LC publishes ±0.01 mm and the IRB 1600 ±0.02 to ±0.05 mm.
Which robot has the longer reach?
The IRB 1600 reaches 1200 or 1450 mm; the LR Mate 7LC 911 mm.
Which robot should I buy?
Choose the LR Mate 7LC for clean rooms. Choose the IRB 1600 for general-purpose cells.
