FAIRINO FR5 vs. Kawasaki CL103N: 5 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
5 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The Kawasaki CL103N from Kawasaki Robotics and the FAIRINO FR5 are both shortlisted for 5 kg-class automation cells. The Kawasaki CL103N offers 3 kg of rated payload, 590 mm of reach and ±0.02 mm repeatability. The FAIRINO FR5 answers with 5 kg, 922 mm and ±0.02 mm at a published U.S. price of $8,699. This comparison separates published specifications from the points that should be confirmed in a demo or quotation.
FAIRINO FR5 5 kg-class cobot 
Kawasaki CL103N cobot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR5 vs. Kawasaki CL103N
Choose the FAIRINO FR5 when it matches or exceeds the payload and reaches further, at a published $8,699.
Choose the Kawasaki CL103N when it fits an existing Kawasaki Robotics ecosystem, from $30,000.
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR5 vs. Kawasaki CL103N Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR5 | Kawasaki CL103N |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 5 kg | 3 kg |
Maximum payload | 7 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 922 mm | 590 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.02 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | ≈22 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP66 |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | Joint speeds published; no direct TCP-speed value found |
Public price | $8,699 (FAIRINO USA) | From $30,000 |
🏋️ Payload: 5 kg vs. 3 kg
FAIRINO FR5 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: 922 mm vs. 590 mm
FAIRINO FR5 reaches 332 mm (about 56%) 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 FR5 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the Kawasaki CL103N is published at IP66. 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 FR5 at $8,699. The Kawasaki CL103N is listed from $30,000, so the published arm prices differ by about $21,301 (roughly 71% 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 FR5 cell would total about $33,699, a simple payback of roughly 1.1 years. The Kawasaki CL103N 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 FR5 stands out for value, with 5 kg payload, ±0.02 mm repeatability and a transparent $8,699 price. The Kawasaki CL103N brings 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 FR5 or the Kawasaki CL103N?
FAIRINO FR5 has the higher rated payload: 5 kg for the FAIRINO FR5 vs. 3 kg for the Kawasaki CL103N.
Which robot has the longer reach?
FAIRINO FR5 reaches 332 mm further (922 mm vs. 590 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
Both publish ±0.02 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR5 and Kawasaki CL103N cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR5 at $8,699. The Kawasaki CL103N 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.
