FANUC’s new H-frame positioner for the European market is designed for high payloads and precision, simplifying arc welding tasks that require coordination with six-axis robotic arms. The H-frame positioner offers synchronized motion for improved stability and is supported by full integration with FANUC controllers. This ensures that manufacturers no longer need to rely on a third-party supplier for this critical equipment to meet their automated welding requirements.

The robust two-station H-frame positioner enables automated arc welding on one side and seamless loading and unloading of parts on the other. The result is continuous, automated, and repeatable welding that, according to FANUC, shortens cycle times, improves weld quality, and increases profitability.

“With this device, we are now able to offer automated welding solutions from a single source: H-frame positioners, ARC Mate robots, R-30𝑖B Plus controllers, connectors, and other system components,” explains Robert Koopman, Chief Technical Officer at FANUC Europe. “End users and system integrators no longer need to purchase third-party positioners, which simplifies the integration of welding cells. The positioners utilize our proven, high-performance, and reliable motion control technologies, supported by the availability of spare parts throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.”

The floor-mounted H-frame positioners feature a central welding shield and are available in two versions, offering maximum payloads of 500 and 1,500 kilograms on each side, respectively. Customers can choose from a range of swing diameters and fixture lengths. The rotary indexing table features standard FANUC connections for robot control, further supporting seamless system integration. Advanced software functions and coordinated movements ensure constant surface speeds to maximize productivity and weld integrity.

While the H-frame is the most common configuration of welding positioners on the market, certain applications may benefit from other designs. FANUC is already working to expand its range of new welding positioners with additional configurations scheduled for release in 2026: a headstock-tailstock concept and a rotary table design—both available in various capacities and sizes. These new developments will contribute to the expansion of FANUC’s existing servo positioner series, which currently includes 1-axis hollow positioners, 1-axis compact positioners, and 2-axis positioners for greater precision, versatility, and efficiency in welding.

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