UR16e

Overview

The Universal Robots UR16e is the heavy-payload member of the UR e-Series, carrying 16 kg over a 900 mm reach across 6 axes. It is designed for tasks where the UR10e's 12.5 kg capacity is marginal: heavy palletising, handling castings and moulded parts, and machine tending with large workpieces. Universal Robots manufactures it in Odense, Denmark, and it shares the PolyScope controller and UR+ ecosystem with the rest of the e-Series range.

Key Specifications

• Payload: 16 kg
• Reach: 900 mm
• Degrees of freedom: 6
• Repeatability: ±0.05 mm
• TCP speed: up to 1 m/s
• Weight: 33.1 kg
• IP rating: IP54
• Controller: PolyScope 5

The UR16e supports the full UR+ certified peripherals catalogue, including grippers from Robotiq, OnRobot, and Schunk.

Use Cases

The UR16e is deployed for palletising heavy cartons, tending press brakes and injection moulding machines, welding with heavy torch assemblies, and handling large electronic assemblies. Its 16 kg payload with 900 mm reach covers a significant proportion of machine-tending applications in UK metal fabrication and plastics manufacturing.

Buying Used

The UR16e is available on the UK secondhand market through Surplex, EU Automation, and UR-certified resellers. Pricing ranges from £18,000 to £30,000. Inspect shoulder and elbow joints carefully given the higher loads. Verify joint hours and check for backlash in the lower joints. The PolyScope controller is the same as on smaller UR arms, so existing UR maintenance expertise applies.

Alternatives to Consider

• Universal Robots UR20: 20 kg payload with 1,750 mm reach at higher price, for tasks where the UR16e's reach is limiting.
• FANUC CRX-10iA: Lower payload at 10 kg but with FANUC's industrial-grade service infrastructure.
• Dobot CR16: 16 kg payload at lower price, though with less developed UK support.