§1 xArm 6
xArm 6 Overview
What the machine is, what arms like it are used for, where it sits in its maker's range, and why it is at IntelliMake.
Start Here
This section says what this machine is, what arms like it are used for, where it sits among its maker's arms, and what it does at IntelliMake. Every tier below builds on the same three figures.
- The xArm 6 is a UFACTORY cobot with six degrees of freedom41.
- It carries at most 5 kg, and UFACTORY gives it a reach of 700 mm23.
- At IntelliMake's Phase 1 factory it is station S64.
S6 in one line: S6 is the xArm 6 arm that handles parts after processing, routing them to inspection, rework or shipping4.
Choose your depth
1Beginner
What Is This Machine?
For: Anyone with no robotics background: a visitor, a new operator, a manager
Kind of task: Recognize and recall, with plain-language explanations and pictures
In this part you meet the machine, learn the numbers that describe its size and strength, and see why the word "collaborative" does not tell you whether it is safe to stand next to it. No robotics background is needed.
The Machine
- The xArm 6 is a UFACTORY robot arm45.
- It has a base and six rotary joints. They are numbered from the bottom, Joint 1 upwards, and the last joint is the tool side, where a gripper or another end effector connects5.
- The arm is made of aluminum and carbon fiber. The manual gives this for the xArm 5, 6 and 7 together6.
Its Size and Strength in Three Numbers
- It can carry at most 5 kg2.
- UFACTORY gives it a reach of 700 mm3.
- The arm alone weighs 12.5 kg, according to UFACTORY's online hardware manual and product page. Another UFACTORY source gives a different weight, so this figure is not settled7.
What Arms Like It Do
- UFACTORY's help article says the xArm 6 is designed for manufacturing and assembly-line automation, including more complex actions such as loading and unloading, and pick and place8.
- UFACTORY's xArm product page covers the xArm 5, 6 and 7 together. It lists machine tending, bin picking, mobile platforms, lab automation and robotic research as ideal uses9.
- S6's job at IntelliMake, handling parts after processing and routing them onward, is a task of that pick-and-place kind10.
"Collaborative Robot" Is a Label, Not a Promise
- UFACTORY's help article calls the xArm series collaborative robots, which it says specialize in sharing tasks and spaces with humans11.
- Yet the xArm manual says that when the arm is in operation, no people or other equipment should be in the working area12.
- The manual also makes whoever integrates the arm responsible for a risk assessment of the complete system13.
- UFACTORY's product page also presents the xArm as a cobot. Neither the page nor the manual says how the label and the rule fit together. The contradiction card sets out both sides14.
- The point: a label does not tell you whether it is safe to stand next to the arm. The risk assessment for the complete installation does13. This project's advice: stay out of the xArm 6's working area while it runs, and do not rely on a safeguard nobody has confirmed15.
How People Tell It What to Do
- People program it in UFACTORY Studio, or in code with Python, C++ or ROS16.
- UFACTORY describes Studio as web-based software that runs inside the control box17. The lab uses the Studio desktop app, downloaded from UFACTORY and installed on the computer1819.
- People can also teach it by hand. In manual mode the arm compensates for gravity, so a person can guide it20. In UFACTORY Studio's Live Control, Manual Mode lets the joints be moved by hand to reach and record positions21.
Why It Matters Here
- IntelliMake's Phase 1 factory is designed to demonstrate autonomous production of high-mix, low-volume personalized products22.
- There, as station S6, this arm handles parts after processing, routing them to inspection, rework or shipping4.
- It is one of two arms in the cell. The xArm 850 at S2 is the upstream arm that takes incoming material toward personalization; the xArm 6 at S6 is the downstream arm23.
What "Verified" Means on This Page
Most records on this page are Verified. Verified means a manufacturer or IntelliMake document says so. It does not mean anyone has measured it at the physical cell. Where a record is Inferred, the reasoning is printed under it; where something is unknown, it is marked as a gap and no number is given.
Check Yourself
Answer, then check. Each option has its own feedback, and nothing is scored.
Open questions in this section
Next on the beginner path: §2 Role in the Phase 1 Production Process
2Novice
Where the xArm 6 Sits in Its Family
For: Someone who will work near or with the cell: operator, trainee technician
Kind of task: Explain and sequence: put steps in order, match parts to their functions
In this part you compare the machine with its siblings, and read the maker's own claims about it against what its manual asks of the people who install and run it. It is for someone who will work near or with the cell.
The xArm 6 and Its Siblings
- Of UFACTORY's xArm 5, 6 and 7, the xArm 6 carries the most: 5 kg, against 3 kg for the xArm 5 and 3.5 kg for the xArm 7. All three reach 700 mm30.
- The xArm 6 and the xArm 7 have a full six degrees of freedom in Cartesian space. The xArm 5's linear and circular moves have 4: x, y, z and yaw31.
- UFACTORY says the xArm 6 may well suffice for general applications, and recommends the xArm 7 where more flexibility is required. The xArm 7's extra joint gives more possible solutions for a Cartesian target32.
- Against UFACTORY's 850, the xArm 6 has the same 5 kg payload but a shorter reach, 700 mm against 850 mm, and a looser stated repeatability, ±0.1 mm against ±0.02 mm33.
What UFACTORY Says About the xArm
- UFACTORY's help article describes the xArm series as designed for light manufacturing, commercial uses and lab applications34.
- UFACTORY's xArm product page cites hand teaching, light weight, a space-saving footprint, and easy re-deployment to multiple applications without changing the production layout35.
- The same page says the arm is stress-tested for at least 15,000 hours of full-time operation36.
- UFACTORY markets the xArm as plug-and-play: "Unbox, set-up, calibrate. No technician needed."37
- These are UFACTORY's own claims about its product34353637.
What the Manual Asks of People
- The xArm manual is stricter than the marketing. It says installation and commissioning need to be performed by professionals, that operators must be trained to use UFACTORY Studio and the SDKs correctly, and that each operator should read the user manual carefully38.
- It also says users should fully understand the standard operating procedures and the solutions to the arm's running errors38.
"Collaborative" Is Not the Same as "Safe Here"
- This platform infers that calling the xArm 6 collaborative does not make a given installation safe to share with people39.
- The inference rests on two statements in the xArm manual: a safety assessment is required each time the arm is installed, and the whole system should be assessed when the arm works with other machinery39.
Check Yourself
Answer, then check. Each option has its own feedback, and nothing is scored.
3Intermediate
Matching the Machine to a Task
For: Someone who will set up, program or maintain the arm: technician, student engineer
Kind of task: Apply: work through written scenarios that need a decision (which mode, which setting, what to do about this error), with feedback on each choice
In this part you pick the right figure for a task, and learn to notice when the figure you need is not in the sources. It is for someone who will set up, program or maintain the arm.
Repeatability Is Not Accuracy
- The xArm 6's stated repeatability is ±0.1 mm. The manual gives it for the xArm 5, 6 and 7 together41.
- The UFACTORY sources give no absolute positioning accuracy for the xArm 6: how closely it reaches a computed coordinate, as opposed to its ±0.1 mm repeatability42.
- That missing figure matters for offline programming and vision-guided picking, which rely on computed coordinates42.
- UFACTORY's 850 states ±0.02 mm, so of the two arms the xArm 6 has the looser stated repeatability33.
Cycle Time
- The UFACTORY sources give no cycle-time data for the xArm 6, and no speed or acceleration it reaches while carrying its full 5 kg payload across its reach43.
Payload and Tool Offset
- The xArm manual says the payload is related to the TCP offset, and shows that relation only in a figure. The text gives no values, and that section names no model44.
- So do not assume the full 5 kg at every tool offset. The allowable payload for a given offset is not given as text245.
Collision Detection Is Not a Safeguard
- UFACTORY's collision detection compares each joint's actual current with a theoretical current calculated from a dynamic model, and triggers when the difference exceeds a pre-set threshold46.
- That model takes in joint position, speed and acceleration, the load's weight and center of mass, the mounting direction and joint friction46.
- This project's advice: treat the xArm 6's collision detection, safety boundary and reduced mode as configurable controller functions, not validated safeguards. They must not replace risk-assessed protective devices wired to the EI and SI inputs29.
Check Yourself
Answer, then check. Each option has its own feedback, and nothing is scored.
4Expert
Judging Marketing Claims Against Evidence
For: Someone who designs, integrates or changes the cell: integrator, engineer, agent developer
Kind of task: Analyze and decide: weigh trade-offs, resolve contradictions, critique a configuration
In this part you test the maker's descriptions, and the easy explanations, against the evidence, and separate what is documented from what is merely plausible. It is for someone who designs, integrates or changes the cell.
Joints Named, Not Specified
- UFACTORY's xArm product page names only harmonic drives and servomotors for the joints. Unlike the 850's page, it gives no encoder resolution47.
- Per-joint data for the xArm 6, such as motor model and rating, harmonic-drive ratio, encoder type and joint-module sizes, is not published in the xArm manual or on the product page47.
"Collaborative Robot"
- UFACTORY's xArm product page presents the xArm as a collaborative robot, while the xArm manual says no people or other equipment should be in the working area when the arm is in operation. Neither source says how the two fit together14.
- The UFACTORY sources do not say whether the xArm 6 is suitable or validated for power and force limiting collaborative applications, and give no contact force or pressure figures for it48.
- The xArm manual's list of applied standards does not include ISO/TS 1506649.
- No xArm manual chapter, product page or Studio manual states a Performance Level, Category or SIL for any xArm safety function, collision detection included50.
Which xArm 6?
- An xArm 6's serial number tells you its model: the axis-count letter I marks an xArm 651.
- This project's advice: read the S6 arm's serial number before relying on any figure the sources disagree on, such as its weight or its J2 and J3 ranges. UFACTORY tells four xArm 6 versions apart by serial number, and the arm's version decides which mass parameters apply52.
- J2 is one such figure. The online hardware manual and the product page give -117° to 116°; a UFACTORY support article and the xarm6 URDF give about -118° to 120°53.
Two Arms in One Cell
- UFACTORY publishes a longer reach for the 850, 850 mm, than for its xArm 5/6/7 line, 700 mm, and the line's payloads run from 3 kg to 5 kg54.
- Both arms work at S455, and the layout drawing puts the stations only one arm serves on opposite sides of it56. This platform assumes that a single arm probably could not reach both; the drawing is not to scale and the distances are not measured57.
- This platform infers that with two arms, loading incoming material at S2 and unloading and routing finished parts at S6 can happen at the same time; with one arm, both handling steps for every part would run one after the other. The two steps meet at S458.
Check Yourself
Answer, then check. Each option has its own feedback, and nothing is scored.
Not settledOpen Questions · 10
What the sources do not settle for this section. Nothing here is papered over with a plausible number.
- Kind: Contradiction
UFACTORY's xArm product page presents the xArm as a collaborative robot ('cobot'), while the xArm manual says no people or other equipment should be in the working area when the arm is in operation. Neither source says how the two fit together.
See reference 14 - Kind: Gap
No fetched UFACTORY source gives an absolute positioning accuracy for the xArm 6 (how closely it reaches a computed coordinate, as opposed to its ±0.1 mm repeatability). This matters for offline programming and vision-guided picking, which rely on computed coordinates.
See reference 42 - Kind: Gap
No fetched UFACTORY source gives cycle-time data for the xArm 6, or the speed and acceleration it reaches while carrying its full 5 kg payload across its reach; the payload versus TCP offset relationship is published only as a figure.
See reference 43 - Kind: Gap
The xArm manual says the payload is related to the TCP offset, but its text gives no payload-versus-offset values; the xArm 6's allowable payload at a given tool offset could not be taken from the sources as text.
See reference 45 - Kind: Gap
Per-joint component data for the xArm 6 (motor model and rating, harmonic-drive ratio, encoder type and resolution, joint-module sizes) is not published in the xArm manual or the product page; the product page names only harmonic drives and servomotors and, unlike the 850's page, gives no encoder resolution.
See reference 47 - Kind: Gap
No fetched UFACTORY source says whether the xArm 6 is suitable or validated for power and force limiting collaborative applications. No fetched UFACTORY source gives contact force or pressure figures for the xArm 6, or a torque or force threshold for any collision sensitivity level.
See reference 48 - Kind: Gap
The xArm manual's list of applied standards does not include ISO/TS 15066; no statement of ISO/TS 15066 conformance for the xArm 6 was found in the manual or the product page.
See reference 49 - Kind: Gap
No chapter of the xArm manual (Preface and chapters 1 to 8), the xArm product page or the Studio manual states an ISO 13849-1 Performance Level or Category, or an IEC 62061 SIL, for any xArm safety function (emergency stop, EI/SI inputs, collision detection, safety boundary or reduced mode), and none mentions a TÜV certification. Do not assume any.
See reference 50 - Kind: Contradiction
Sources disagree on the range of the xArm 6's joint 2 (J2): the online hardware manual (specifications and preface) and the product page give -117° to 116°, but UFACTORY's support article comparing the xArm 5 Lite, 6 and 7 gives -118° to 120°, and the xarm6 URDF's default limits are -2.059 to 2.0944 rad (about -118° to 120°).
See reference 53 - Kind: Gap
No price for the xArm 6 on its own was found: the xArm product page shows 'US$ 5,799.00 – US$ 5,994.00' in its header and 'From US$5,299' in its footer, without saying which model or configuration each price covers.
See reference 60
ProvenanceReferences · 60
Each number in the text points here. Every entry states its confidence class in words and keeps its evidence one click away. How to read the labels.
Key to the badges
- Confidence: Verified
- A manufacturer or IntelliMake document says so, or it was observed directly. It does not mean anyone measured it at S6.
- Confidence: Inferred
- Reasoned from Verified facts. The reasoning is printed with the record.
- Confidence: Assumed
- Plausible but untested. The record says how it would be checked.
- Kind: Gap
- Not known. No figure or answer is given in its place.
- Kind: Contradiction
- Sources disagree. Both sides are shown, and the site does not pick one silently.
- Kind: Recommendation
- Project advice drawn from the records it cites. Not a fact about the machine and not a confidence class, so the filter never hides it.
- Awaiting cell access
- Awaiting cell access: could be confirmed or corrected once the physical S6 cell can be observed.
- This project's simulation and agent design, not the physical cell
- This project's simulation and agent design, not the physical cell.
Image Credits
- 3D model: © 2018 UFACTORY Inc., BSD-3-Clause, from UFACTORY Inc. (xArm-Developer/xarm_ros2). License text · Source
Sources for This Section
- CODE_SESSION 01 — xArm 850 Interactive Learning Platform (project specification) · Derek Stringfellow (project owner)
- Collision Detection in UFACTORY Robotic Arms: Current and Dynamic Model-based Feature (UFACTORY support article) · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- IntelliMake Phase 1 Factory: Autonomous Production Demonstrator (infographic) · IntelliMake.org (IntelliMake)
- Kinematic and Dynamic Parameters of xArm Series: telling the model by SN (support article) · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- Kinematic and Dynamic Parameters of xArm Series: telling the xArm model from the SN (UFACTORY support article) · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- Kinematic and Dynamic Parameters: xArm 6 (support article) · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Robotics, Standards · U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (government)
- OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section IV: Chapter 4, Industrial Robot Systems and Industrial Robot System Safety · U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (government)
- Owner statements from 2026-09-24 onward (verbatim; S40 and later) · Derek Stringfellow (project owner)
- Phase 1 layout drawing, sent by Derek (2026-09-30) · Derek Stringfellow (project owner)
- The difference between UFACTORY xArm5, UFACTORY xArm6 and UFACTORY xArm7 (Help Center article) · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- The difference between UFACTORY xArm5, xArm6 and xArm7 (support article) · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY 850 product page · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY Studio product and download page · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY Studio User Manual (online), 2. Glossary · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY Studio User Manual (online), 4. Live Control · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY Studio User Manual (online), 7. Settings · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY xArm Hardware Manual (online), 1. Safety · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY xArm Hardware Manual (online), 2. Hardware Installation · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY xArm Hardware Manual (online), 3. Controller Electrical Interface · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY xArm Hardware Manual (online), 7. Production Information · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY xArm Hardware Manual (online), 8. Technical Specifications · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- UFACTORY xArm product page · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
- xarm_ros2 (branch humble), xarm_description/urdf/xarm6/xarm6.urdf.xacro · UFACTORY (manufacturer)
IntelliMake diagrams are redrawn as native figures, © IntelliMake.org. UFACTORY does not endorse this platform.