Yaskawa Motoman is a powerhouse in robotics, known for its wide range of general-purpose and dedicated Coating Robots. Their models are often benchmarked for reach and payload, crucial factors for handling large parts or multiple spray guns.
However, Xi differentiates itself through its unique structural design, specifically its reported use of hybrid parallel-series kinematics.
Traditional (Yaskawa): Serial linkage (six-axis arm) offers high reach but can sometimes have less rigidity at maximum extension.
Hybrid (Xi): Blends the strength of parallel robots (rigidity, high speed) with the reach of serial robots. This often results in a lighter, more compliant arm, which is critical for making Drag-and-Teach programming exceptionally smooth and accurate (less inertia for the operator to overcome).
When evaluating a coating robot, manufacturers must look beyond raw payload and consider the robot's dynamics and how well its structure supports the programming method they intend to use.