Kassow Robots KR618 — Specs & Review

Specifications

Key features

• 1800 mm reach — longest reach seven-axis cobot commercially available
• 7-axis wrist redundancy critical for navigating singularities at extended reach
• 6 kg payload accommodates standard grippers, vision, and dispensing heads
• ISO 10218 / ISO/TS 15066 certified for collaborative operation
• Eliminates gantry requirement for wide-area coverage applications
• URScript-compatible programming across the KR series
• EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and Modbus TCP fieldbus support
• ±0.05 mm repeatability for large-surface dispensing and assembly

Overview

The Kassow KR618 is defined by its 1800 mm reach — an unusually long working envelope for a collaborative robot, comparable to full-size industrial six-axis robots that lack collaborative safety certification. Kassow positions the KR618 for applications where coverage area is the primary constraint: large-surface inspection, wide-area dispensing, and assembly on large workpieces that cannot be brought close to the robot.

Technical Specifications

Seven revolute axes, 6 kg payload, 1800 mm reach. Repeatability is ±0.05 mm. The arm weighs approximately 12 kg. Standard 50 mm ISO flange. Maximum TCP speed exceeds 2 m/s at reduced payload. Joint torque sensing across all seven axes.

Reach as the Defining Parameter

1800 mm is longer than the reach of most industrial six-axis cobots (UR20 at 1750 mm is one of the few comparable options, at higher payload but without a seventh axis). For applications where the part cannot be fixtured close to the robot base — solar arrays, fuselage sections, large inspection surfaces — the KR618 reduces or eliminates the need for a gantry or track system.

Seventh Axis Advantage at Long Reach

At 1800 mm reach, the risk of singularity conditions and joint-limit conflicts becomes more acute than at shorter reaches. The seventh axis provides the kinematic redundancy to navigate these conditions smoothly, which is particularly valuable when working near the robot's maximum reach.

Target Applications

Large-panel assembly (solar, automotive body), wide-area adhesive or sealant dispensing, fuselage and aerospace component inspection, warehouse picking from deep shelf positions, and agricultural indoor applications requiring wide horizontal coverage.

FAQ

Why would an application need 1800 mm reach from a cobot?

Applications involving large, fixed workpieces — solar panels, automotive body sections, fuselage components, large cabinets — require the robot to reach across the full surface from a fixed base position. 1800 mm reach means fewer base repositioning events, simpler fixturing, and in some cases the elimination of a gantry or track system entirely.

How does the KR618 compare to the KR1205?

The KR618 prioritises reach (1800 mm vs 1500 mm) at a lower payload (6 kg vs 12 kg). It is the right choice when reach is the binding constraint; the KR1205 is preferred when payload is the primary requirement.

Is the seventh axis especially valuable on a long-reach robot?

Yes. At extended reach, joint-limit conflicts and singularity conditions are more likely because the arm geometry is more stretched out. The seventh axis provides kinematic redundancy that allows the controller to select joint configurations avoiding these conditions, resulting in smoother, more reliable motion at maximum reach.

What end-effectors are typically mounted on the KR618?

The 6 kg payload accommodates most standard collaborative robot end-effectors: two-finger pneumatic grippers, vision systems, adhesive dispensing heads, and lightweight welding torches. Heavier multi-function heads will reduce workpiece capacity.

Can the KR618 replace a gantry system in wide-area applications?

In many cases, yes. Where a gantry provides wide-area coverage at the cost of complex fixturing and high installation cost, a KR618 on a fixed pedestal can cover a comparable footprint with greater flexibility and at lower infrastructure cost. The specific trade-off depends on cycle time requirements and workpiece geometry.