Buying a used industrial robot arm is rarely as simple as buying a new tool. You are not just paying for hardware; you are deciding how much integration work you can take on. The FANUC M-16iB/20 is a case in point: it is a real industrial arm, but it is sold as arm only, which changes how you should think about total cost and effort.
Quick verdict
If you need a six-axis robot arm for a fixed workstation and you have the know-how or vendor support to pair it with a controller, the FANUC M-16iB/20 offers a low entry price into industrial automation hardware. The unit shows cosmetic wear, paint loss, and signs of prior industrial use, so this is not a spotless display piece. It is a used industrial arm, and the missing controller, teach pendant, and cables are the biggest condition on the deal.
Who it suits
This listing is a fit for an integrator who is comfortable building out the control side of a robot cell, or for a shop that already has the control and cabling infrastructure to bring an arm online. Because the arm is sold on its own, you need a plan to get it talking to a controller and to provide a teach pendant for programming. Buyers who want a complete, ready-to-run system should look for a listing that includes those pieces.
What stands out from the listed details
FANUC M-16IB/20 INDUSTRIAL ROBOT ARM A05B-1216-B202 2005 ARM ONLY USED
The key specifications here are solid for a 20 kg class arm. The FANUC M-16iB/20 has six axes, giving it the flexibility to orient a payload through a wide range of positions. The 20 kg payload is a key specification for sizing the arm to your workload. The listed arm weight of 220 kg (486 lbs) and the footprint of 44 x 29 x 48 inches make it clear that this is a substantial unit requiring a strong mounting base.
The reason to give this arm a close look is the $1,800 price: it is a low-cost way to get a 20 kg industrial arm into a project. The limitation is just as clear: this is arm-only. No controller, teach pendant, or cables are included, so the total price of a usable system goes well beyond $1,800. The listing also states the condition: cosmetic wear, paint loss, and prior industrial use. You are buying a 2005 machine that shows its history.
Meaningful trade-offs
The obvious trade-off is price versus completeness. The arm's low price point is real, but the missing control components can represent a significant additional expense, and the arm's 2005 build date means you are buying a mature machine that will need careful inspection on delivery. The stated condition of cosmetic wear and paint loss sets the expectation for a used unit.
The other trade-off is physical. At 486 pounds and roughly 44 inches wide, this is not a benchtop toy. Plan for a solid foundation, proper lifting equipment, and enough workspace to move and mount the arm safely.
Bottom line
The FANUC M-16iB/20 at $1,800 is a legitimate 20 kg industrial robot arm with a known 2005 build date and clear condition notes. Choose it when you can handle the integration work and need a usable arm for a fixed automation task. Skip it if you are looking for a complete, ready-to-run system, because you will need to supply the controller, teach pendant, and cables, and those will shape your additional budget more than the arm's low price tag itself.
