New UR30 cobot arm packs muscle into small frame

The UR20, which debuted in October 2022, not only brought new design elements to Universal Robots but also set new records for payload and reach at the time. It had only been slightly over a year old. A "complete mechanical reengineering of the whole UR system concept" is how Universal Robots vice president of strategy and innovation, Anders Billesø Beck, described the new design. In order to provide significantly greater torque into the same package while reducing weight, we toughened the design concept and changed generations on numerous technologies.

The UR30, which has a larger payload capacity of up to 30 kg but the same compact size as the UR20, was recently introduced by Universal Robots. According to Universal Robots, the UR30’s “superior motion control…makes it ideal for several applications, including machine tending and material handling. The cobot's high payload minimises changeover times and maximises output during machine tending by enabling it to employ several grippers simultaneously to remove finished parts and load new material in a single pass.

Users of Universal Robots’ cobots often need to handle multiple products in and out of the machines, that’s why the UR30 is designed to handle fairly heavy parts and hold multiple parts at the same time. Moving in and out of machines is done in a tight, confined space, with the UR30’s compact form factor, it can fit into much more compact workspaces.

Heavy parts in palletizing applications typically weigh about 25 kilogrammes, the UR30's larger payload capacity enables it to "comfortably stack parts" in that weight range.

Using its "steady mode" feature, which allows for straight and consistent screw driving, the UR30 can also handle larger and higher-output torque tools.  According to Beck, the UR30's steady mode enables it to drive screws and bolts at a high torque rate without endangering worker safety. When cobots encounter resistance, they would "go into protective mode." As a result, while using several cobots on the market for high-torque screw driving, the user must disable specific safety settings. However, not the UR30. Without turning on the safety stop, it can measure the applied force and provide straight, constant screw driving while maintaining safety.

The UR30 also introduces a new end-of-arm tool flange which is Universal Robots’ new standard for its high-payload cobots (UR20 and UR30). This new tool flange is essentially a more robust collar to handle the additional stresses put on the connected robot joint when larger payloads are attached.

To highlight the similarities and differences between the UR20 and UR30, following is a comparison of the key features:

• Payload capacity: UR20 = 20 kg (44 lbs.); UR30 = 30 kg (66.13 lbs.)
• Reach: UR20 = 1750 mm (68.9 in.); UR30 = 1300 mm (51.2 in.)
• Weight: UR20 = 64 kg (141.1 lbs.); UR30 = 63.5 kg (139.9 lbs)
• The footprint of the UR20 and UR30 are the same: 245 mm (9.65 in).

True payload performance

Moreover, he UR30 received software enhancements to reduce the stress on the mechanics of the arm and the new joint architecture to a minimum. Take advantage of the cobots full speed range and accelerations despite lifting the maximum payload at maximum reach.

“The demand in many industries has been overwhelming,” Beck said. “We always look at what’s the best way to expand our portfolio. For us, it’s all about having simplicity of choice for our customers. It should be easy for them to look at our products and pick which one they need. The UR30 is another step in that direction.”

Pre-order the UR30 now by contacting our sales representatives by phone: +359 (0) 32 500 425 or by email: sales@soltec.bg