Designed for mobility and rapid deployment, FANUC’s new CRX-3iA robot optimizes applications where easy repositioning, flexibility, and autonomy boost productivity. Weighing just 11 kilograms, the CRX-3iA addresses a clear need in sectors such as shipbuilding and steel construction, where operators weld large structures across expansive areas. The operator can easily carry the robot with one hand, position it at a new weld, and resume work within seconds. This capability enables a single person to monitor multiple welding stations and help address the ongoing shortage of skilled welders in Europe.

With a payload of three kilograms, the CRX-3iA can simultaneously handle a welding torch and a seam-tracking sensor, while its repeatability of plus or minus 0.02 millimeters delivers the precision required for critical welding tasks. The robot automatically detects its orientation after being repositioned and—using a third-party laser scanner or touch sensor—identifies the weld seam positions and calculates the corresponding paths.

A magnetic base allows the robot to be quickly and securely mounted directly onto large steel structures. This flexibility reduces system complexity compared to conventional robot installations, which typically require heavier equipment and additional safety measures.

As part of the broader CRX series—which features a maximum payload of 30 kilograms and a reach of 1,756 millimeters—the CRX-3iA is fully integrated into FANUC’s established control and software ecosystem. It thus features FANUC’s wrist-button technology, which allows the operator to control and teach positions directly from the robot arm without having to hold the FANUC teach pendant. This convenient functionality simplifies programming and reduces changeover times.

Beyond welding, FANUC anticipates its use in applications such as intralogistics and mobile automation. Its compact footprint and light weight make the CRX-3iA ideal for mounting on an automated guided vehicle (AGV), where it can assist with tasks such as order picking, placement, and line feeding. Its size also opens up possibilities in educational and training environments, where limited space often makes the use of traditional industrial robots impractical.

“Manufacturers need automation that adapts to their environment, not the other way around,” says Paul Ribus, Head of Sales Coordination Europe at FANUC. “With the CRX-3iA, we’ve focused on portability, rapid deployment, and high repeatability. The new FANUC CRX-3iA is compact, portable, intuitive, and precise, bringing the benefits of collaborative automation directly to the point of operation.”

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