FAIRINO FR3 vs. Kawasaki CL105N: 3 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
3 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The Kawasaki CL105N from Kawasaki Robotics and the FAIRINO FR3 are both shortlisted for 3 kg-class automation cells. The Kawasaki CL105N offers 5 kg of rated payload, 800 mm of reach and ±0.02 mm repeatability. 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 
Kawasaki CL105N cobot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR3 vs. Kawasaki CL105N
Choose the FAIRINO FR3 when it keeps the budget low, at a published $7,999.
Choose the Kawasaki CL105N when it offers longer reach, more rated payload, from $30,000.
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR3 vs. Kawasaki CL105N Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR3 | Kawasaki CL105N |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 3 kg | 5 kg |
Maximum payload | 5 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 622 mm | 800 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.02 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | ≈15 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP66 or equivalent |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | Joint speeds published; no direct TCP-speed value found |
Public price | $7,999 (FAIRINO USA) | From $30,000 |
🏋️ Payload: 3 kg vs. 5 kg
Kawasaki CL105N 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. 800 mm
Kawasaki CL105N reaches 178 mm (about 29%) 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
Both publish ±0.02 mm, which is sufficient for most handling and assembly tasks.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR3 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the Kawasaki CL105N is published at IP66 or equivalent. 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 ±0.02 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 Kawasaki CL105N is listed from $30,000, so the published arm prices differ by about $22,001 (roughly 73% 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 Kawasaki CL105N cell would total about $55,000, or roughly 1.8 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 Kawasaki CL105N brings longer reach, more rated payload and the Kawasaki Robotics 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 Kawasaki CL105N?
Kawasaki CL105N has the higher rated payload: 3 kg for the FAIRINO FR3 vs. 5 kg for the Kawasaki CL105N.
Which robot has the longer reach?
Kawasaki CL105N reaches 178 mm further (622 mm vs. 800 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
Both publish ±0.02 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR3 and Kawasaki CL105N cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR3 at $7,999. The Kawasaki CL105N is listed from $30,000.
Can both be used for machine tending and pick-and-place?
Yes. Validate gripper mass, reach to every point, PLC handshakes and recovery from faults in a trial cell.
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.
