UFACTORY xArm Cobots Series

Applications

The xArm series is a useful middle-ground option for applications that need more reach and payload than a small tabletop robot without moving to a much larger industrial arm. UFACTORY specifically positions it for machine tending, bin picking, integration with mobile platforms, laboratory automation and robotic research.

With an appropriate end effector and system integration, xArm can also support pick-and-place, packaging, kitting, part insertion, screwdriving, measuring and inspection. All three models provide the same 700 mm reach, so the main selection factors are payload and motion flexibility. The xArm 6 is the most conventional general-purpose choice, combining six-axis movement with the series’ highest payload. The xArm 7 exchanges some payload for an additional joint, while the xArm 5 provides a simpler and lighter configuration for tasks that do not need full six-axis pose control.

Programming, Integration and Safety

UFACTORY Studio runs inside the control box and can be accessed through a web browser, avoiding the need for a separate desktop installation. New users can build sequences graphically or guide the arm manually, while developers can work with UFACTORY’s Python and C++ SDKs or its official ROS and ROS 2 packages. The controller also provides Ethernet connectivity and digital, analogue and RS-485 interfaces for integration with other equipment.

UFACTORY offers compatible grippers, vacuum tooling, a six-axis force/torque sensor and a linear motor. Third-party devices can also be integrated, although UFACTORY notes that API-based integrations often require custom code.

The arm’s collision detection compares calculated and measured joint current. Correct payload, centre-of-mass and mounting settings are important for reliable detection.

Choosing Between the xArm Models

The three models share the same 700 mm reach, ±0.1 mm repeatability, 1 m/s maximum TCP speed and Ø126 mm footprint. Their principal differences are payload, number of axes and arm weight.

Model: xArm 5
Payload: 3 kg | Reach: 700 mm | Robot Weight: 11.3 kg | Repeatability: ±0.1 mm | Axes: 5
Best suited for: Straightforward pick-and-place, handling and tending tasks that do not require full six-axis pose control. UFACTORY notes that its Cartesian linear and circular movements have four effective flexible coordinates: X, Y, Z and yaw.

Model: xArm 6
Payload: 5 kg | Reach: 700 mm | Robot Weight: 12.5 kg | Repeatability: ±0.1 mm | Axes: 6
Best suited for: General-purpose automation, machine tending, bin picking, assembly and handling applications requiring conventional six-axis motion and the highest xArm payload.

Model: xArm 7
Payload: 3.5 kg | Reach: 700 mm | Robot Weight: 14.3 kg | Repeatability: ±0.1 mm | Axes: 7
Best suited for: Robotics research and applications that benefit from an additional joint for greater motion flexibility or alternative arm postures.

xArm vs Other UFACTORY Cobots

The xArm series sits between UFACTORY’s Lite 6 and UFACTORY 850. The Lite 6 is the smallest tabletop option, with six axes, a 440 mm reach, 0.6 kg payload, ±0.5 mm repeatability and an integrated controller. xArm provides substantially more reach, payload and repeatability, while also offering a choice of five, six or seven axes.

The UFACTORY 850 is the more industrially focused option. It has six axes, a longer 850 mm reach, 5 kg payload and tighter ±0.02 mm repeatability, but its 20 kg arm is heavier than every xArm model. In practical terms, xArm is the most varied middle option: more capable than Lite 6 for larger loads and workspaces, but lighter than the 850 and available with greater axis-count choice.