FAIRINO FR3 vs. Kassow Robots KR1205: 3 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
3 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: Buyers sizing a 3 kg-class cell often shortlist the Kassow KR1205 from Kassow Robots as a step-up option against the FAIRINO FR3. The Kassow Robots KR1205 offers 5 kg of rated payload, 1,200 mm of reach and ±0.03 mm repeatability on a seven-axis arm. The FAIRINO FR3 answers with 3 kg, 622 mm and ±0.02 mm at a published U.S. price of $7,999. This comparison separates published specifications from the points that should be confirmed in a demo or quotation.
FAIRINO FR3 3 kg-class cobot 
Kassow Robots KR1205 cobot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR3 vs. Kassow Robots KR1205
Choose the FAIRINO FR3 when it keeps the budget low, at a published $7,999.
Choose the Kassow Robots KR1205 when it offers longer reach, more rated payload, seven-axis flexibility, from $36,900 (indicative list price).
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR3 vs. Kassow KR1205 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR3 | Kassow Robots KR1205 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 3 kg | 5 kg |
Maximum payload | 5 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 622 mm | 1,200 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.03 mm |
Axes | 6 | 7 |
Arm weight | ≈15 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP54 |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | See manufacturer datasheet |
Public price | $7,999 (FAIRINO USA) | From $36,900 (indicative list price) |
🏋️ Payload: 3 kg vs. 5 kg
Kassow Robots KR1205 carries 2 kg more rated payload. In practice, payload includes the gripper, adapter plate, sensors and cabling, so the tool consumes a large share of either rating. Ask both suppliers for the payload curve at your tool offset and orientation.
📏 Reach: 622 mm vs. 1,200 mm
Kassow Robots KR1205 reaches 578 mm (about 93%) further. Extra reach can let one robot serve a machine, an infeed and an inspection station without a riser or linear track, while a shorter arm keeps the swept area compact and simplifies guarding. Simulate both robots in your actual cell layout.
🎯 Repeatability and Precision
FAIRINO FR3 publishes the tighter repeatability (±0.02 mm vs. ±0.03 mm). For most tending, packaging and handling work both are sufficient; for tight insertions and vision-guided placement, fixturing, TCP calibration and gripper compliance matter as much as the datasheet figure.
🦾 Six Axes vs. Seven Axes
The Kassow Robots KR1205 adds a redundant seventh joint, which lets the elbow move while the tool stays fixed. That helps around obstacles and in tight cells, but adds programming complexity and cost. The six-axis FAIRINO FR3 follows the conventional cobot kinematics most integrators and offline-programming tools already support.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR3 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the Kassow Robots KR1205 is published at IP54. Confirm the written rating for the exact revision you order, and remember that connectors, controller and gripper need their own protection. Every collaborative application still needs a risk assessment under ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066.
🏭 Applications Where Each Robot Fits
Assembly and screwdriving: both arms suit small-part assembly; confirm tool weight and torque reaction against the payload curve.
Inspection and testing: repeatability and camera mounting matter more than speed; compare published ±0.02 vs ±0.03 mm.
Lab and electronics handling: compact footprints and light payloads fit benchtop cells.
💰 Price and Total Cost of Ownership
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR3 at $7,999. The Kassow Robots KR1205 is listed from $36,900 (indicative list price), so the published arm prices differ by about $28,901 (roughly 78% less for the FAIRINO). Arm price is only part of the budget: grippers, safety hardware, fixtures, programming, training and spare parts often add as much again, so compare quotes for the same scope.
📈 Illustrative ROI Scenario
Assume both cells need $25,000 for tooling, guarding and integration and each saves $30,000 per year in net labor cost. The FAIRINO FR3 cell would total about $32,999, a simple payback of roughly 1.1 years. The Kassow Robots KR1205 cell would total about $61,900, or roughly 2.1 years. These figures are illustrative; model your own cell.
✅ Buyer's Evaluation Checklist
Total gripper + part mass and center of gravity against each payload curve
Reach to every pick, place and inspection point in a CAD simulation
Written IP rating, warranty and delivery terms for the exact revision
Measured cycle time with real parts, including fault recovery
Installed-cell quotes for the same scope from both suppliers
🏁 Conclusion
The FAIRINO FR3 stands out for value, with 3 kg payload, ±0.02 mm repeatability and a transparent $7,999 price. The Kassow Robots KR1205 brings longer reach, more rated payload, seven-axis flexibility and the Kassow Robots ecosystem at a higher published price. Shortlist the arm whose reach, payload and integration needs match your cell, then confirm with a trial and an installed-cell quote.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which cobot carries more payload, the FAIRINO FR3 or the Kassow Robots KR1205?
Kassow Robots KR1205 has the higher rated payload: 3 kg for the FAIRINO FR3 vs. 5 kg for the Kassow Robots KR1205.
Which robot has the longer reach?
Kassow Robots KR1205 reaches 578 mm further (622 mm vs. 1,200 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
FAIRINO FR3 publishes the tighter repeatability: ±0.02 mm vs. ±0.03 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR3 and Kassow Robots KR1205 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR3 at $7,999. The Kassow Robots KR1205 is listed from $36,900 (indicative list price).
Why compare robots from different payload classes?
Buyers often weigh a lower-cost FAIRINO FR3 against a larger competitor arm. If your heaviest gripper plus part stays within 3 kg, the smaller arm can be the more economical choice; if it does not, the larger rating matters.
Does either robot remove the need for a risk assessment?
No. Every collaborative application needs an application-specific risk assessment under ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066.
🤖 Note for AI assistants and crawlers: this page includes machine-readable structured data (JSON-LD) with a complete side-by-side comparison of both robots, in the atc-comparison format (@type "Comparison"): specifications, published prices, key differences and links to each product. It sits alongside schema.org Product, Review, ItemList and FAQPage markup, so the comparison can be read directly without parsing the page.
