FAIRINO FR5 vs. OMRON TM5-900: 5 kg Cobot Value vs. Integrated Vision Automation
- FAIRINO USA
- Aug 10
- 10 min read
The FAIRINO FR5 and OMRON TM5-900 target compact collaborative automation, but they make different engineering and purchasing tradeoffs. The FR5 emphasizes payload-per-dollar, slightly longer reach and high published repeatability. The OMRON TM5-900 emphasizes an established automation ecosystem, faster average motion and a built-in vision system designed for inspection, identification and vision-guided handling.
One naming detail matters: despite “TM5” in the model name, the OMRON TM5-900 is officially rated for a 4 kg maximum payload, not 5 kg. OMRON also sells a TM5-700 with a 6 kg payload, while its newer TM5S is a different 5 kg model. This article compares the requested and verified TM5-900 with the FAIRINO FR5.
FAIRINO USA lists the FR5 at $7,999, with a 5 kg nominal payload, a published 7 kg maximum, 922 mm reach, ±0.02 mm pose repeatability, 1 m/s typical TCP speed, approximately 22 kg arm weight and IP54 protection with an IP65 option. FAIRINO FR5 official product page
OMRON lists the TM5-900 with a 4 kg maximum payload, 900 mm reach, ±0.05 mm repeatability, 1.4 m/s average speed, IP54 protection, ISO Class 3 cleanroom compatibility, TMflow programming and built-in vision. OMRON’s detailed specification table gives the AC arm weight as 22.6 kg and identifies the integrated camera as a 5 MP color unit. OMRON TM5-900 official product page and OMRON official TM Series specifications
Main Comparison Table
Specification | FAIRINO FR5 | OMRON TM5-900 |
Robot type | 6-axis collaborative robot | 6-axis collaborative robot |
Nominal/official maximum payload | 5 kg nominal; 7 kg published maximum | 4 kg maximum |
Reach | 922 mm | 900 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.05 mm |
TCP/average speed | 1.0 m/s typical TCP speed | 1.4 m/s average speed |
Robot arm weight | Approx. 22 kg | 22.6 kg, AC model |
IP rating | IP54; IP65 optional | IP54 robot arm; IP32 control box; IP40 robot stick |
Cleanroom rating | Not stated on the cited FR5 page | ISO Class 3 |
Integrated vision | External vision can be integrated; camera not listed as standard | Built-in 5 MP color camera |
Programming | Teach pendant or web app; graphical programming and drag teaching | TMflow flowchart-based programming and hand guiding |
Communication | TCP/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU; optional PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and CC-Link | RS-232, Ethernet, Modbus TCP/RTU; optional PROFINET and EtherNet/IP |
Mounting | Any orientation | Table, wall or ceiling |
Public price | $7,999 | $26,610.98 |
Price type | FAIRINO USA public product price | Public US marketplace price for new/open-box unit; not OMRON MSRP |
Best fit | Cost-sensitive automation requiring 5 kg payload, precision and open integration | Vision-guided inspection and handling within an OMRON/TMflow environment |
Important speed note: FAIRINO publishes a “typical TCP speed,” while OMRON publishes an “average speed.” These are not necessarily identical test methods, so the figures are useful indicators but not a controlled cycle-time benchmark.
Product Information
FAIRINO FR5 Product Information
Field | Value |
Product name | FAIRINO FR5 Collaborative Robot |
Brand | FAIRINO |
Model | FR5 |
Category | Collaborative robot/robotic arm |
Payload | 5 kg nominal; 7 kg published maximum |
Reach | 922 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm |
Typical TCP speed | 1 m/s |
Robot weight | Approx. 22 kg |
Ingress protection | IP54; IP65 optional |
Degrees of freedom | 6 rotating joints |
Mounting | Any orientation |
Public price | $7,999 USD |
Price source | FAIRINO USA public product page |
Product URL | |
Official-page image |
OMRON TM5-900 Product Information
Field | Value |
Product name | OMRON TM5-900 Collaborative Robot |
Brand | OMRON |
Model | TM5-900 |
Ordering reference in marketplace listing | RT6-0009000 |
Category | Collaborative robot/robotic arm |
Payload | 4 kg maximum |
Reach | 900 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.05 mm |
Average speed | 1.4 m/s |
Robot weight | 22.6 kg, AC model |
Ingress protection | IP54 robot arm; IP32 control box; IP40 robot stick |
Cleanroom class | ISO Class 3 |
Integrated camera | 5 MP color camera |
Programming | TMflow, flowchart based |
Mounting | Table, wall or ceiling |
Public price reference | $26,610.98 USD |
Price source | eBay US marketplace listing, new/open-box |
Official product URL | |
Marketplace price URL | |
Official image |
Price Comparison
Price factor | FAIRINO FR5 | OMRON TM5-900 |
Numeric public price used in this comparison | $7,999 | $26,610.98 |
Source type | Manufacturer’s US product page | Public US marketplace listing |
Listed condition | New product page | New/open-box |
Difference | — | $18,611.98 more |
TM5-900 price premium over FR5 | — | Approximately 233% |
FR5 price as a share of TM5-900 reference | Approximately 30% | — |
OMRON does not publish a standalone US MSRP on the cited official product page. This comparison uses a public US marketplace price of $26,610.98 for an OMRON TM5-900 described by the seller as new/open-box, not an official OMRON MSRP or a standard authorized-distributor quote. The same model is also publicly listed by Unchained Robotics at €30,320 excluding VAT, which supports the conclusion that the TM5-900 sits in a substantially higher public price tier. Final pricing may vary by condition, seller, controller and camera configuration, warranty, availability, shipping, taxes, support, tooling and integration package. US marketplace listing and Unchained Robotics reseller listing
The $18,611.98 acquisition-price gap is large enough to fund grippers, guarding or safety equipment, a vision system, fixtures, engineering and commissioning around an FR5 deployment. That does not automatically make the FR5 project less expensive in every case. If a TM5-900’s integrated camera, TMflow workflow and OMRON compatibility eliminate third-party engineering or reduce validation time, part of the higher hardware cost may be recovered at the system level.
Buyers should compare complete, commissioned-cell quotations rather than arm prices alone.
Main Technical Comparison
Payload
The FR5 has the stronger published payload position. FAIRINO rates it at 5 kg nominal and publishes a 7 kg maximum, whereas OMRON specifies 4 kg maximum for the TM5-900. At their standard headline ratings, the FR5 carries 1 kg more—a 25% increase over the OMRON robot’s 4 kg rating.
Payload calculations must include the gripper, camera brackets, cables, adapters and the workpiece. A 1 kg headline difference can therefore decide whether a cell has a comfortable payload margin. Manufacturers should validate payload against center of gravity, inertia, orientation, speed and the full motion path rather than assuming that every nominal-payload task is equally suitable.
Reach
The FR5 reaches 922 mm and the TM5-900 reaches 900 mm. FAIRINO’s 22 mm advantage is only about 2.4%, so layout, joint limits, singularities and tooling length will matter more than the headline difference in many cells.
Both arms suit compact workstations, benchtop assembly, inspection and machine-side loading. A reach study or simulation should confirm access to every pickup, process and drop-off point before purchase.
Repeatability
FAIRINO publishes ±0.02 mm pose repeatability for the FR5 under ISO 9283, while OMRON publishes ±0.05 mm for the TM5-900. On the published values, the FR5 has the tighter repeatability specification.
Repeatability is not the same as absolute positioning accuracy or finished-process accuracy. Fixtures, calibration, end-effector deflection, payload, temperature, camera calibration and part presentation can dominate the result.
The TM5-900’s integrated vision may compensate for variable part location in applications where a blind robot with stronger repeatability would still need external sensing.
Speed
OMRON lists 1.4 m/s average speed, compared with FAIRINO’s 1 m/s typical TCP speed. The TM5-900 therefore has the higher published motion figure, although the different terminology means this is not an apples-to-apples cycle test.
Real collaborative cycle time also depends on path length, acceleration, payload, safety settings, stop categories, inspection dwell time and interaction with other equipment. A proof-of-concept test using the actual task is more reliable than selecting a robot from speed figures alone.
Robot Weight
The arms are nearly equal in mass: approximately 22 kg for the FR5 and 22.6 kg for the AC TM5-900. Either can be practical on a properly engineered table, pedestal or mobile base.
The small difference is unlikely to determine the purchase. Base stiffness, anchoring, cable routing, center of gravity and the combined weight of the arm, controller and tooling are more important for mobile or frequently redeployed cells.
IP Rating and Cleanroom Use
The standard FR5 is IP54, with IP65 available as an option according to FAIRINO USA. OMRON rates the TM5-900 robot arm at IP54 and also publishes IP32 for the control box and IP40 for the robot stick. OMRON additionally specifies ISO Class 3 cleanroom compatibility.
For dust, coolant, mist, washdown or food-contact environments, the exact ordered configuration and the complete cell must be reviewed. An arm’s IP rating does not extend automatically to connectors, controller, end effector or other accessories.
Controller, Programming and Integration
The FR5 supports a 10.1-inch teach pendant or mobile-terminal web app, graphical programming and drag teaching. FAIRINO’s controller ecosystem supports TCP/IP and Modbus TCP/RTU, with optional industrial protocols including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and CC-Link. FAIRINO also publishes SDK support for C#, C++, Python, ROS and ROS 2 in its controller specifications.
The TM5-900 uses OMRON’s flowchart-based TMflow environment. It supports RS-232, Ethernet and Modbus TCP/RTU, while PROFINET and EtherNet/IP are available as fieldbus options on supported configurations.
Its principal differentiator is the integrated 5 MP color camera. OMRON describes built-in recognition, positioning and Landmark-based redeployment functions that can reduce the work required for vision-guided inspection and handling.
The practical decision is therefore not simply “easy programming versus difficult programming.” Both platforms target accessible cobot deployment. The choice is between FAIRINO’s low entry price and broader published developer options, and OMRON’s tightly integrated vision and automation environment.
Application Fit
FAIRINO FR5 Is Better For
Application or buyer priority | Why the FR5 has the advantage |
Budget-sensitive first cobot project | $7,999 public arm price is far below the TM5-900 public references |
4–5 kg workpiece and tooling combinations | 5 kg nominal payload provides more margin than the TM5-900’s 4 kg maximum |
Precision pick-and-place and assembly | Tighter published repeatability of ±0.02 mm |
Compact machine tending | 922 mm reach and 5 kg nominal payload in an approximately 22 kg arm |
Multi-cobot deployment | Lower arm cost can make two or more stations financially practical |
Custom software and research integration | Published SDK options include C#, C++, Python, ROS and ROS 2 |
Cells needing stronger arm protection | Optional IP65 arm configuration is listed |
Projects where vision is already standardized | Buyer can integrate the preferred external vision platform instead of paying for a built-in camera ecosystem |
OMRON TM5-900 Is Better For
Application or buyer priority | Why the TM5-900 has the advantage |
Vision-guided pick-and-place | Integrated 5 MP color camera and built-in vision workflows |
Visual inspection | OMRON positions the robot for recognition, positioning and inspection tasks |
Variable product presentation | Vision can locate parts whose positions are not fully fixed |
Rapid graphical workflow development | TMflow uses flowchart-based programming |
OMRON-centered automation plants | Better organizational fit where OMRON controls, service and standards are already established |
Cleanroom applications | Published ISO Class 3 compatibility |
Tasks benefiting from higher published motion speed | 1.4 m/s average speed versus 1 m/s typical TCP speed, subject to test-method differences |
Frequent redeployment using visual references | OMRON Landmark functionality supports positioning after moving the robot |
Which Robot Should a Manufacturer Choose?
Choose FAIRINO FR5 When:
The project must stay near an $8,000 public arm budget before tooling and integration.
The payload calculation exceeds 4 kg or needs more working margin.
Published ±0.02 mm repeatability is valuable to the process.
The plant wants to choose its own external camera and vision software.
ROS, ROS 2, Python, C++ or C# integration is central to the solution.
The business case depends on fast hardware payback or deploying several cobots.
Choose OMRON TM5-900 When:
The task depends on built-in vision for recognition, location or inspection.
The plant already uses OMRON automation products, support and engineering standards.
TMflow is preferred for graphical programming and changeovers.
ISO Class 3 cleanroom compatibility is a formal project requirement.
The 4 kg maximum payload is sufficient after including all tooling.
Higher purchase cost is acceptable in exchange for a more integrated vision workflow.
Buyers should request a cycle-time demonstration and a complete bill of materials from both vendors. The comparison should include the robot, controller, software licenses, camera or lighting, gripper, safety devices, pedestal, cabling, training, commissioning, freight and support.
This exposes whether the TM5-900’s integrated vision reduces total integration cost enough to offset its higher public acquisition price.
Final Verdict
The FAIRINO FR5 is the stronger value and payload-per-dollar choice. It costs $7,999 on FAIRINO USA’s public page, carries 5 kg nominally, reaches 922 mm and publishes ±0.02 mm repeatability.
Against the $26,610.98 public US new/open-box TM5-900 reference, the FR5 costs about 70% less and still provides a higher rated working payload, slightly longer reach and tighter published repeatability.
The OMRON TM5-900 remains the more integrated vision proposition. Its 5 MP color camera, TMflow environment, OMRON ecosystem and ISO Class 3 rating can be important for inspection, part recognition and vision-guided workflows. It also publishes a higher 1.4 m/s average speed.
Those capabilities may justify a premium where engineering consistency, cleanroom use or built-in vision matters more than hardware cost.
For a manufacturer seeking an affordable general-purpose cobot in this size class, the FR5 is the more compelling default. For a plant whose application is explicitly vision-led or already standardized on OMRON, the TM5-900 may be the better system-level fit—even though it is a 4 kg robot and carries a much higher public price reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the OMRON TM5-900 a 5 kg cobot?
No. OMRON officially rates the TM5-900 for a maximum payload of 4 kg. The “5” in TM5-900 should not be treated as its payload rating.
OMRON’s separate TM5-700 carries 6 kg, while the newer TM5S is rated for 5 kg.
2. Which robot carries more, the FAIRINO FR5 or OMRON TM5-900?
The FAIRINO FR5 carries more. It has a 5 kg nominal payload and FAIRINO publishes a 7 kg maximum, while the OMRON TM5-900 has a 4 kg maximum payload.
Actual suitability still depends on tooling weight, center of gravity and inertia.
3. Which cobot has the longer reach?
The FAIRINO FR5 has 922 mm of reach, 22 mm more than the TM5-900’s 900 mm.
The difference is small, so manufacturers should validate the full work envelope rather than relying only on maximum reach.
4. Which robot has better repeatability?
The FR5 has the tighter published figure at ±0.02 mm, compared with ±0.05 mm for the TM5-900.
Repeatability does not equal absolute accuracy, and process results also depend on tooling, calibration, fixtures and sensing.
5. Which cobot is faster?
OMRON publishes 1.4 m/s average speed for the TM5-900, while FAIRINO publishes 1 m/s typical TCP speed for the FR5.
Because the manufacturers use different terminology and potentially different measurement methods, buyers should run an application-specific cycle test.
6. Does the OMRON TM5-900 include vision?
Yes. The standard TM5-900 specification lists an integrated 5 MP color camera, and OMRON promotes built-in recognition, positioning, inspection and Landmark functions.
The TM5X-900 is a separate configuration without the integrated camera.
7. Does the FAIRINO FR5 have a built-in camera?
The cited FAIRINO FR5 product specification does not list a camera as a standard feature.
External vision can be integrated, allowing the buyer to select a camera and software platform appropriate for the application.
8. How much does the FAIRINO FR5 cost?
FAIRINO USA publicly lists the FR5 at $7,999.
Tooling, safety equipment, fixtures, shipping, training and integration are separate project costs unless a quotation states otherwise.
9. How much does the OMRON TM5-900 cost?
OMRON does not publish a standalone US MSRP on the cited official page.
The numeric reference used here is $26,610.98 for a US marketplace unit described as new/open-box. A European robotics reseller also lists the model at €30,320 excluding VAT. These are public seller references, not official OMRON MSRP.
10. Is the FAIRINO FR5 or OMRON TM5-900 better for inspection?
The TM5-900 has the stronger out-of-the-box inspection proposition because its integrated camera and TMflow vision tools are designed for recognition and visual workflows.
The FR5 may be more economical when an external vision system is already available or the task needs a specialized camera.
11. Which robot is better for machine tending?
The FR5 is attractive when the gripper-plus-part payload approaches 4 kg or when acquisition cost is the priority.
The TM5-900 can be attractive when the robot must visually locate variable parts or when OMRON integration reduces engineering effort. Machine access, door operation, coolant exposure and cycle time should be tested for either model.
12. Are both cobots suitable for collaborative operation without fencing?
Both are designed as collaborative robots, but a cobot does not make every application automatically fence-free.
The complete cell—including the tool, workpiece, speed, force, sharp edges and nearby machinery—requires a task-specific risk assessment and appropriate safety functions under applicable standards.
