Fairino FR5 Collaborative Robot (Cobot)

A collaborative robot proves its value on the shop floor less through its brochure than through how readily it works with the machines already installed there. The Fairino FR5 Collaborative Robot (Cobot) is built with that in mind. This six-axis arm combines ±0.02mm pose repeatability under ISO 9283 with standard industrial protocols and software development kits for the languages engineering teams already use. Welding, machine tending, handling and inspection cells can therefore be planned around the equipment you already have, rather than rebuilt to suit the robot.

Robots Europa, based in Dublin, supplies the Fairino FR5 to manufacturers, integrators and research organisations throughout the European Union and the DACH region. We prepare quotations for each version of the arm and coordinate delivery to your site. We also remain your point of contact for technical questions once the robot is in service, from first integration through to later changes in the cell.

Background

FAIRINO and the FR series

FAIRINO builds collaborative robots under the FR designation, and the FR5 sits within a family of arms that share the same name and design approach. Buyers who wish to see the rest of the family can do so on our Fairino page. The FR5 itself is a next-generation 6-axis cobot built for precision, safety and rapid deployment. These three priorities match the situations in which collaborative robots generally pay their way: cells that are reconfigured often, tasks carried out close to human operators, and projects where the arm must become productive soon after it arrives rather than after months of engineering.

This places the FR5 among the general-purpose arms that a production engineer can move between tasks as orders change. Typical moves are from a welding fixture to a machine door, or from a packing line to an inspection station. That flexibility is the main reason collaborative robots have spread beyond large automotive plants into small and medium-sized workshops across Europe.

Open programming and industrial connectivity

Two aspects of the FR5 shape how it fits into an existing operation. The first is software. For customised applications, FAIRINO provides SDKs for C#, C++, Python, ROS and ROS 2. A team that already writes line-control software in C# or C++ can address the arm from the same environment. A research group working in Python, or a development team building on the Robot Operating System, can use the tools it already knows instead of learning a proprietary language first.

The second is communication with the rest of the plant. The FR5 supports TCP/IP, Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU. PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and CC-Link are available as optional communication interfaces. In practice, this means the arm can exchange signals with the PLC, CNC control or vision system that governs a cell, whichever fieldbus that equipment already uses. The choice of interface is one of the points Robots Europa clarifies with you when preparing a quotation, so that the controller arrives configured for the network on your floor.

Technical Specifications

Specifications are as published by the manufacturer and are confirmed against the datasheet at quotation.

The manufacturer has not published the power consumption, the supply voltage, the joint torque limits, the cable length between arm and controller, the dimensions and weight of the controller, the certifications or the full list of box contents; Robots Europa confirms these at quotation.

Which FR5 version should I choose: IP54 or IP65?

The FR5 is offered in two protection classes. The standard model is rated IP54 and comes in white or, as the Black Edition, in black. The more robust IP65 version is supplied in white. The arm, its programming tools and its communication options are the same across these versions. The decision therefore rests mainly on the environment in which the robot will work.

In general terms, the second digit of an IP code describes protection against water, and the first describes protection against solid particles and dust. A higher code indicates a more demanding environment that the enclosure is designed to withstand. A clean assembly bench, an electronics test station or a packing area is usually well served by the standard IP54 arm. Cells exposed to coolant mist near machine tools, dust from grinding or finishing, or regular wash-down are the settings where buyers typically look at the IP65 version.

The Black Edition is a matter of appearance and workplace presentation. It suits showrooms, laboratories and customer-facing production areas where a dark finish matches the surrounding equipment. If you are unsure which version suits your cell, describe the environment when you request a quotation and Robots Europa will recommend the appropriate model.

What makes the FR5 suited to welding and machine tending?

Welding and machine tending both depend on the arm returning to the same point, cycle after cycle. A weld seam that drifts, or a part placed slightly off in a vice, quickly turns into scrap. The FR5's ±0.02mm pose repeatability, measured under ISO 9283, addresses exactly this requirement. The arm is intended for laser, MIG and TIG welding as well as CNC tending.

The final wrist joint matters as well. Wrist 3 has a working range of ±175°, with an optional ±360°. The extended range gives more freedom to orient a torch, a gripper or a screwdriver without repositioning the whole arm. That is useful when a weld path runs around a part, or when a workpiece must be turned as it is loaded.

Finally, machine tending is as much about communication as about motion. The robot must know when the door is open, when the cycle has finished and when the next blank is ready. Standard Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU, together with optional PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and CC-Link, give the FR5 the means to exchange these signals with the machine control it serves.

Who is the Fairino FR5 for?

The FR5 addresses several kinds of buyer. Small and medium-sized manufacturers are the most obvious group: companies that want to automate repetitive welding, loading or packing tasks without dedicating floor space to a fenced industrial robot cell. Fabrication shops in particular will note the explicit support for laser, MIG and TIG welding.

System integrators form a second group. For them, the combination of standard protocols, optional fieldbus interfaces and SDKs in common languages shortens the work of fitting the arm into a customer's existing line. Universities, research institutes and development teams make up a third group, for whom native ROS and ROS 2 support and a Python SDK make the FR5 a practical platform for experiments in perception, motion planning and human–robot collaboration.

Quality departments that need a steady hand for repeated inspection tasks also belong on this list. If your application calls for a different working envelope or handling capacity, our full range of cobots sets out the alternatives, and Robots Europa can advise on the most suitable arm for the task.

What is the Fairino FR5 used for?

1. Robotic welding – laser, MIG and TIG welding of repeat parts, with the torch guided along the same path every cycle.
2. CNC and machine tending – loading blanks into machine tools and removing finished parts, coordinated with the machine control.
3. Pick and place – transferring components between conveyors, trays and fixtures at a consistent position.
4. Light assembly – fitting, inserting and fastening small components at workstations shared with operators.
5. Inspection – presenting parts to cameras or gauges, or carrying a sensor around a workpiece for quality checks.
6. Packaging – placing products into boxes, cartons or trays at the end of a production line.

Pricing and Availability

Robots Europa supplies the Fairino FR5 on the basis of an individual quotation. This allows us to reflect the version you require, the communication interface your plant uses and any accessories your application needs. Delivery, customs and support are arranged together with the quotation, so you receive one clear proposal for supply within the EU and the DACH region. To receive an offer tailored to your project, please use the quotation request available on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What repeatability does the Fairino FR5 achieve?

The FR5 has a pose repeatability of ±0.02mm, measured according to ISO 9283.

Which programming languages can I use with the FR5?

SDKs are available for C#, C++, Python, ROS and ROS 2, so customised applications can be developed in the environment your team already uses.

Can the FR5 connect to PROFINET or EtherCAT networks?

Yes. TCP/IP, Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU are supported as standard, and PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and CC-Link are available as optional communication interfaces. Please state the interface you need when requesting a quotation.

What is the difference between the IP54 and IP65 versions?

The standard IP54 model is available in white or in black as the Black Edition, while the more robust IP65 version is supplied in white. The IP65 version is the one to consider for dustier or wetter environments.

How far does the final wrist joint rotate?

Wrist 3 has a working range of ±175°, with an optional range of ±360°.

Is the FR5 suitable for research and software development?

Yes. With SDKs for Python, ROS and ROS 2 alongside C# and C++, the FR5 gives universities and development teams direct access to the arm from the tools they already work with.

Where can I buy the Fairino FR5 and what does it cost?

Robots Europa supplies the Fairino FR5 across the EU and the DACH region. The cost depends on the version and options you choose, and we provide it in a personal quotation that also covers delivery and support.

Summary

The Fairino FR5 is designed to fit into the production you already run rather than to demand a new one. It offers ±0.02mm repeatability under ISO 9283 and an optional extended wrist range. SDKs in C#, C++, Python, ROS and ROS 2 work alongside standard and optional industrial protocols, and a choice of IP54 or IP65 protection lets you match the arm to the environment. Together, these features allow a welding, tending, handling or inspection cell to take shape around existing machines and existing skills. Robots Europa quotes, delivers and supports the FR5 throughout the EU and the DACH region. For anyone planning that first conversation between a cobot and their own line, this page is the starting point.