ROKAE xMate CR Series Cobots

From Precise Assembly to Heavy-Duty Handling

The ROKAE xMate CR Series is designed to handle a wide variety of industrial tasks, from precise assembly and screwdriving to welding, machine loading, grinding, and palletizing. With eight models offering different payload capacities and reaches, businesses can choose a cobot that fits their particular application.

The smaller models, such as the CR7 and CR12, offer precise movements for applications involving lighter components. ROKAE has demonstrated the CR7 in automotive welding and the CR12 in inspection applications. Meanwhile, the larger CR20 models can take on more demanding work, including palletizing and material handling.

At the heavy-duty end, the CR35 models extend the series to payloads of 35 kg and 45 kg, with reaches approaching or exceeding two metres. This makes the series particularly interesting for businesses looking to automate heavier tasks while retaining collaborative robot functionality.

Combining Precision, Force Control, and Safety

One of the interesting features of the xMate CR Series is its combination of industrial motion performance and collaborative robot technology. ROKAE uses its xCore control system alongside force-position hybrid control to support accurate movements and compliant interaction with the environment.

For the CR7, CR12, CR18, and CR20 variants, ROKAE publishes force and torque sensing specifications, allowing their control systems to support tasks involving physical contact. This is useful for applications such as controlled assembly and certain finishing operations, where the robot needs to respond to contact forces rather than simply follow a fixed path.

Safety is another important part of the design. ROKAE incorporates an independent safety controller and configurable safety functions, including collision detection and workspace restrictions. These features support collaborative applications, although safe operation alongside people still depends on the specific installation, operating conditions, and risk assessment.

Flexible Deployment and Easy Programming

ROKAE has designed the CR Series with industrial integration in mind. The robots support mounting at different angles, giving businesses more flexibility when installing them around machines, production lines, and other equipment. Their IP67-rated bodies also make them suitable for environments where dust and water exposure may be concerns.

For programming, the CR7–CR20 variants support direct teaching and graphical interfaces, while the CR35 models offer graphical programming. These approaches help simplify setup without requiring every movement to be programmed from scratch.

Another useful feature is the independent controller cabinet, which provides connections for integrating the cobots with other equipment. For example, ROKAE offers application-specific software packages for tasks such as palletizing. Together, these capabilities make the CR Series adaptable to different production requirements, from individual workstations to larger automation systems.

Comparison of ROKAE xMate CR Series Models

CR7-7/0.98C
Payload: 7 kg | Reach: 988 mm | Robot Weight: 25 kg | Repeatability: ±0.02 mm | Axes: 6
Potential applications: Precision assembly, inspection, welding, and light component handling.

CR12-12/1.4C
Payload: 12 kg | Reach: 1,434 mm | Robot Weight: 41 kg | Repeatability: ±0.03 mm | Axes: 6
Potential applications: Assembly, inspection, machine tending, and medium-payload handling.

CR18-18/1.0C
Payload: 18 kg | Reach: 1,062 mm | Robot Weight: 38 kg | Repeatability: ±0.03 mm | Axes: 6
Potential applications: Handling heavier components where a long reach is less important.

CR20-20/1.8C
Payload: 20 kg | Reach: 1,798 mm | Robot Weight: 71 kg | Repeatability: ±0.05 mm | Axes: 6
Potential applications: Palletizing, material handling, machine loading, and welding.

CR20-25/1.8C-5
Payload: 25 kg | Reach: 1,798 mm | Robot Weight: 69 kg | Repeatability: ±0.05 mm | Axes: 5
Potential applications: Higher-payload handling and palletizing where five-axis movement is sufficient.

CR20-17/2.0C-5
Payload: 17 kg | Reach: 2,047 mm | Robot Weight: 71 kg | Repeatability: ±0.05 mm | Axes: 5
Potential applications: Long-reach material handling and palletizing where five-axis movement is sufficient.

CR35-35/2.2C
Payload: 35 kg | Reach: 2,246 mm | Robot Weight: 165 kg | Repeatability: ±0.05 mm | Axes: 6
Potential applications: Heavy-duty palletizing and material handling over larger working areas.

CR35-45/1.9C
Payload: 45 kg | Reach: 1,947 mm | Robot Weight: 161 kg | Repeatability: ±0.05 mm | Axes: 6
Potential applications: Heavy-duty palletizing, large component handling, and other high-payload operations.

ROKAE xMate CR Series vs. xMate SR Series

ROKAE offers two collaborative robot families, the CR and SR Series, each designed for different automation needs. The biggest difference is their size and carrying capacity. The xMate SR Series focuses on lighter applications, with the SR3 and SR5 offering payloads of 3 kg and 5 kg, respectively, and reaches of 705 mm and 919 mm. Their lightweight designs, weighing approximately 13.8 kg and 16.5 kg, make them attractive for smaller workstations and space-constrained applications. The CR Series, on the other hand, is aimed at a wider range of industrial tasks, with payloads from 7 kg to 45 kg and reaches of up to 2,246 mm. It also offers IP67 protection, compared with IP54 on the SR robots, making it better suited to environments requiring greater protection against dust and water ingress.

Both families feature force-control technology, collaborative safety capabilities, flexible mounting, and graphical programming. They also support separate controller configurations, although the SR Series offers a particularly compact controller option for space-limited setups. In terms of precision, the CR Series achieves repeatability as good as ±0.02 mm, while both SR models are rated at ±0.03 mm. The CR Series also provides higher maximum tool-end speeds, although the appropriate operating speed depends on the application and safety requirements. Ultimately, the SR Series is a more compact, lightweight choice for smaller automation tasks, while the CR Series offers greater payload capacity, longer reach, and stronger environmental protection for more demanding industrial applications.