FANUC Unveils Market’s first Explosion-proof Collaborative Paint Robot

With its new CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint, FANUC Europe is releasing the market’s first explosion-proof (ATEX rated) collaborative robot (cobot) for industrial painting applications. The FANUC CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint cobot is ideal for all types of paint processes, including wet spraying and dry powder coating, as well as many other application types that include adhesive dispensing.

The benefits of industrial paint robots are well documented: they improve the precision of paint jobs, save paint, enhance productivity, and boost safety by protecting workers from paint fumes. FANUC is now extending these benefits to those who want to employ cobots for their painting processes and seek explosion-proof technology.

With the new FANUC CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint cobot, humans can work in the same painting area as the robot without safety fences thanks to the highly sensitive contact-stopping function deployed throughout the CRX series. The cobot carries approval for use in ATEX-certified Cat. II Group 2G and 2D. Key among many other notable feature is its ease of use.

“Similar to what we see in welding applications, few paint shop workers have extensive knowledge of robotics, which is where the deployment of collaborative robots can help,” explains Claude Seiler, Manager Products & Application, European Technical Support Robotics. “Our CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint, with its easy teach features and drag-and-drop functionality, means no robot programming expertise is necessary.”

Paint shop professionals are able to complete programs in just minutes via an icon-based app on a tablet teach pendant. Indeed, FANUC has added a number of intuitive icon commands specifically for paint applications.

Continues Claude Seiler: “Operators can manually move the cobot arm to the first position required, make a save point and continue through the paint path. The cobot will ‘learn’ its entire range of positioning - it’s that easy. What’s more, users can save and apply paint paths to other parts.”

The IP67-rated FANUC CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint six-axis cobot offers a maximum payload of 10 kg and the longest reach in its class of 1418 mm. Process flexibility arrives courtesy of its floor, upside-down or angle mounting options. The cobot’s unique under-flip motion means users can manipulate the paint gun in confined spaces.

Further endorsing ease-of-use and set up, the CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint is fully compatible with almost all automatic end-of-arm guns. End-of-arm tooling suppliers can even program their own plug-in and become part of FANUC eco-system of CRX partners. End users simply download the plug-in and install it on their CRX cobot for seamless end-of-arm paint gun adoption.  

Productivity is assured with a maximum speed in collaborative mode of 1000 mm/s. If located in a closed paint booth, users can activate high-speed mode (2000 mm/s). Robust FANUC build quality means up to eight years of maintenance-free operations in painting and coating tasks.  

The FANUC CRX-10𝑖A/L Paint will make its debut public appearance in Europe at the Global Industrie trade show in Lyon, France, on 11-14 March 2025. Visitors to Booth 4H221 will see first-hand the benefits that this notable industry advance can provide.