Choosing between a used FANUC M-16iB/20 arm and a new piab piCOBOT gripper in the industrial robotics cobot world is really a question of what your workcell is missing. The FANUC gives you the moving arm with a heavy payload; the piab gives you a precision gripping end effector for a cobot. They aren't competing for the same spot on the line, so the right call depends on the equipment you already have.
Quick verdict
If you need the moving arm itself and already have a controller, teach pendant, and cabling, the FANUC M-16iB/20 is the practical choice. If your cobot station is missing an end-of-arm tool, the piab piCOBOT is the straightforward add-on. Both are legitimate purchases, but only one solves the immediate gap in your production line.
Comparison table
| Feature | FANUC M-16iB/20 | piab piCOBOT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 1,800.00 | USD 1,169.95 |
| Condition | Used | New - Open box |
| Role | 6-axis arm with 20 kg payload | Collaborative gripper for Universal Robots |
| What you're acquiring | Arm only, no controller or pendant | Gripper unit |
| Origin | United States | Germany |
Where the FANUC M-16iB/20 wins
The FANUC is the pick when the missing piece is the arm itself. It gives you a substantial industrial robot base to build around: the listed weight and dimensions point to a floor-mounted unit with real reach. The caveat is that it arrives without the control hardware you'd need to run it. If you already own those pieces, this used arm can become the core of a high-payload cell.
Where the piab piCOBOT wins
The piab wins when the missing piece is the end effector. It's a new open-box gripper with a handling construction type, built for a specific family of collaborative robot arms. Instead of sourcing a whole robot, you attach this gripper to a cobot and focus on the task: precision gripping for manufacturing and logistics automation. It's the more contained, ready-to-mount way to add gripping capability.
Product notes
FANUC M-16iB/20 Industrial Robot Arm
If you're building around a six-axis arm and already have the controller and teach pendant, this used FANUC gives you a lot of mechanical capability for its list price of USD 1,800.00. The payload is 20 kg and the unit has the wear you'd expect from years of industrial use, including paint loss and cosmetic scuffs. It's sold as arm only, with no controller, teach pendant, or cables, which is the biggest consideration. The listed dimensions are 44 x 29 x 48 and it weighs 486 lbs, so plan for a serious footprint and rigging. If the missing control components are already in your shop, this arm is a strong foundation for a high-payload cell.
piab piCOBOT Collaborative Robot Gripper
For USD 1,169.95, the piab piCOBOT is a new open-box gripper that's described as a robotic claw clamper/gripper for Universal Robots. Made in Germany, it's designed specifically for handling and automation tasks, and its model PCO.U1.M01.T.MC2.S221PA.X.6.CC.A.XXX along with MPN 9938239 give you clear reference points for integration. The main limitation is that it's not a robot arm: if you don't have a cobot to attach it to, it won't provide motion. But if you already run a collaborative robot station, this gripper gives you a precise, ready-to-mount way to start picking, clamping, and handling parts. It's the simpler way to add gripping without buying a second robot.
Final choice by use case
Choose the FANUC M-16iB/20 when your cell needs the arm itself and you have the control hardware to run it. It's a heavy-duty base with an honest used price.
Choose the piab piCOBOT when your cobot line needs an end-of-arm tool. It adds precise gripping and handling to an existing collaborative station without adding a second robot.
