Universal Robots’ UR8 Long solves a problem every welding engineer has faced: getting the reach you need without the excess robot weight you don’t want.
Numerous robotic brands offer cobots that are suitable for welding. However, in our opinion none is as effective as the UR8 Long. Payload, reach, weight, and performance are the most optimal on the market. No compromise for most welding applications.
Most collaborative robots force an uncomfortable trade-off. A heavy cobot with a long reach that’s difficult to move, or a lightweight cobot with insufficient reach.
The UR8 Long breaks this pattern. Its 1750 mm (68.9 in) reach handles large weldments and complex part geometries. And its 8 kg (17.6 lbs) payload capacity perfectly matches typical welding torch requirements.
Universal Robots has over 100,000 cobots deployed worldwide. So, they acquired the experience and feedback to launch the UR8 Long. THG Automation is grateful for customer feedback. We will offer UR8 Long starting immediately. It will provide the perfect balance of weight and reach.
Universal Robots UR8 Long Collaborative Robot Specs:
| Reach | 1750 mm (68.9 in) |
| Robot Weight | 44.7 kg (98.5 lbs) |
| Payload | 8 kg (17.6 lbs), and up to 10 kg (22 lbs) with boundary conditions according to the manual. |
| Power Use | Max 615 W, 350W at moderate settings. |
| Compliance | EN ISO 13849-1 (PLd Category 3), EN ISO 10218-1 and UL 1740 |
| Max TCP Speed | 6 m/s |
| ISO 9283 Repeatability Precision | ± 0.081 mm (± 0.0031) |
| Footprint | Ø204 mm |
UR8 Long Fills the Gap With a Focus on High Reach
Universal Robots is a top-tier industry leader in collaborative robotics. This is why we integrate UR cobots in our systems for their exceptional reliability, ease of use, and performance. The new UR8 Long hits the weight-to-reach sweet spot and fills the high-reach application gap.
As Universal Robots’ latest model addition, it’s designed to meet high-reach process applications with improved technical performance. Previously, UR’s product line had a clear gap. They didn’t offer a cobot with a primary focus on high reach solely.
The UR8 Long targets applications where the payload isn’t critical:
- Welding
- Inspection
- Gluing
- Bin picking
- Sanding/polishing
- Painting
- Screwdriving
- And similar processes
These applications benefit from extended reach without requiring heavy lifting capability. This makes the UR8 Long the ideal solution.
“Big welds require more. They demand reach, stability, and precision. And a tool that won’t flinch when the job gets tough and the sparks fly”—Anders Billesø Beck, VP Technology at Universal Robots.
UR8 Long Is Best For Welding
The UR8 Long is the best collaborative robot for welding. It delivers exactly what welding applications require. You get sufficient payload for welding torches and the reach to handle complex assemblies. No unnecessary weight that makes it hard to move.
“The UR8 shows Universal Robots’ commitment to adapting to different markets, including the welding and cutting industry,” — Matt Hendey of THG Automation.
Before the UR8 Long, manufacturers needing long reach had to use Universal Robots’ UR20. It’s a 20 kg (44.1 lbs) payload, 64 kg (141.1 lbs) cobot. The UR20 is designed for heavy payload applications. And high payload means more robot weight, which isn’t critical for welding. Moreover, THG customer feedback consistently noted that this heavier robot was challenging to move. This made it cumbersome in freedrive mode during weld point teaching. There was a need for improvement because that extra weight wasn’t actually needed, which is where UR8 Long comes in.
The UR8 Long eliminates these programming difficulties while delivering the same 1750mm (68.9 in) reach. At 44.7 kg (98.5 lbs) total weight, it moves much easier during setup and teaching operations.
This reduced weight also enables easier overhead installation. So, suspended welding systems and gantry configurations are perfect for UR8.
The UR8 Long’s extended reach improves welding capabilities:
- Handles larger and more complex parts
- Accesses hard-to-reach joints
- Allows welding larger batch sizes on tables without repositioning
- Improves flexibility when working with positioners and tracks
- Makes it easier for a manual welder and the cobot to work on the same piece simultaneously or on different parts on the same table
UR8 Long’s Improved Robotic Performance
The UR8 Long doesn’t just solve the weight and reach challenge. It delivers enhanced performance that directly improves welding quality and productivity.
Universal Robots’ engineering team leveraged their extensive experience with previous UR cobot models. This helped them improve robotic motion, movement, freedrive, and safety. Universal Robots has the largest number of welding cobots deployed worldwide. So, they had the feedback and experience to make the next step in cobot welding performance.
Motion performance improvements are particularly significant for welding applications. The UR8 Long delivers better linear, circular, and weaving motion performance at slow speeds. More consistent motion translates directly to better weld quality and improved repeatability. Motion improvements allow the UR8 Long to work better with THG’s Coordinated Motion technology and positioners. So, you get enhanced accuracy and consistency for advanced welding applications.
The reduced 44.7 kg (98.5 lbs) weight creates a cascading performance benefit. It’s easier to handle during installation. The lighter frame also makes freedrive mode more responsive. This improved freedrive capability enhances weld point teaching. Operators can position the robot more precisely and program complex weld paths more efficiently.
For integration purposes, the UR8 Long uses the same tool flange as the UR12e (previously UR10e), simplifying torch mounting and tool integration. This makes it more efficient for installation and operation as it builds on the most established cobot in the world, the uR12e.
Key welding performance improvements:
- Enhanced motion precision at slow welding speeds
- Improved repeatability across production runs
- More responsive freedrive for easier weld point teaching
- Reduced cycle times without compromising quality
- UR12e compatible tool flange for seamless integration
“Our top OEM partners who have 20+ years of experience in welding helped us improve the motion performance for linear path at slow speeds, but also weaving motions or circular movements, and unconstrained freedrive to really help reteaching for welding.” —Simone Schlüter, Product Manager at Universal Robots.
UR8 Long Joins THG Automation
THG Automation is introducing the UR8 Long on day 1 of its release. We’ve heard your feedback. Many faced the challenges of programming and moving heavier long-reach cobots. The UR8 Long directly addresses these issues. This is a much-welcome addition to our portfolio of modular robotic welding and cutting solutions. It will help us meet your particular needs.
We’re standardizing most high-reach welding and cutting applications on UR8 Long systems. It makes sense. Why should you deal with added weight and complexity if you don’t need more payload?
The UR8 Long gives us more flexibility to tackle larger and more complex welding projects. No programming headaches that come with overbuilt robots. Customers get the reach they need with a robot that’s actually manageable during setup and operation.
We’ll still offer the UR20 when applications genuinely require high payload capacity. But for most high-reach welding work, the UR8 Long is the better choice.
If you’re dealing with large weldments or complex geometries and want to avoid the hassles of heavy robots, the UR8 Long might be exactly what you need. Contact THG Automation to discuss your specific application today.
“Listening to the customer, THG Automation And UR have further improved the usability of the cobot without sacrificing capabilities.” — Matt Hendey, THG Automation
