Yaskawa Motoman MA1440 — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Yaskawa Motoman |
|---|---|
| Model | MA1440 |
| Year | 2016 |
| Category | Industrial Lite |
| Autonomy | programmable |
| Environment | indoor |
| Connectivity | EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ProfiNet, YRC1000 Controller |
| Country of origin | JP |
Key features
- 2500°/s high-speed joint positioning
- 12kg payload for torch and sensor package
- 1440mm reach for medium-sized automotive assemblies
- Optional 7th axis body-turn configuration
- ±0.08mm repeatability
- Automotive body-in-white optimised
- YRC1000 controller with MotoSim offline programming
What is it?
The Motoman MA1440 is Yaskawa's high-speed mid-reach arc welding robot, optimised for rapid joint-to-joint positioning in automotive thin-sheet and light structural welding applications where arc-on time percentage is a critical metric.
Who is it for?
Automotive Tier 1 body-in-white welding cells. Light structural fabricators with high-cycle thin-sheet welding requirements. Manufacturers targeting maximum daily weld production from a fixed cell floor space investment.
Key specs
- DOF: 6 axes + optional 7th (body turn)
- Payload: 12 kg
- Reach: 1440 mm
- Repeatability: ±0.08 mm
- Speed: Up to 2500°/s joint speed
- Application: Thin-sheet MIG, pulsed MIG, automotive BIW
- Controller: YRC1000
- Weight: ~145 kg
- Origin: Japan
High-speed positioning advantage
The MA1440's 2500°/s joint speed allows rapid arc-to-arc repositioning — moving the torch from a completed weld to the next joint start point in minimal time. In high-cycle automotive cells with dozens of short welds per part, reducing repositioning time between welds directly increases parts-per-hour capacity.
7th axis body turn
The MA1440 can be configured with a 7th axis (body turn) allowing the robot arm to rotate its base for access to weld joints at different orientations without a separate positioner — increasing flexibility in complex body-in-white welding fixtures.
How it compares
MA1440 vs AR2010: MA1440 is faster, shorter reach, optimised for thin sheet. AR2010 is slower, longer reach, optimised for large structures. Both are Yaskawa YRC1000 compatible.
Limitations
- 1440mm reach limits to medium-sized assemblies
- Automotive focus — less versatile for heavy fabrication than AR2010
- High capital cost of complete robotic welding cell
- Preventive maintenance schedule critical for maintaining repeatability
FAQ
Why is high joint speed important for arc welding robots?
Higher joint speed reduces the time spent repositioning between weld joints. In high-cycle automotive cells with many short welds per part, faster repositioning increases arc-on time percentage and parts-per-hour throughput.
What is the optional 7th axis on MA1440?
The MA1440 can be configured with a body-turn (S-axis extended to 7th axis) allowing the robot to rotate its base for access to weld joints at different orientations without a separate programmable positioner.
What welding processes does MA1440 support?
MA1440 supports MIG/MAG, pulsed MIG, and flux-cored welding for steel, stainless, and aluminium via compatible power sources from Lincoln Electric, Fronius, ESAB, and Miller.
How does MA1440 differ from AR2010?
MA1440 prioritises speed (2500°/s) and is optimised for thin-sheet automotive applications with 1440mm reach. AR2010 prioritises reach (2010mm) and 10kg payload for large structure welding. Both use YRC1000 controllers.
What controller does the Motoman MA1440 use?
The MA1440 uses Yaskawa's YRC1000 controller, which provides offline programming via MotoSim, fieldbus communication with welding power sources, and real-time cell integration.