FANUC CRX-3iA: The pocket-sized cobot that takes welding anywhere

Published the 14/07/2026

Designed for shipyards and steel construction, the CRX-3iA is carried in one hand and operates with the precision of a fixed arm.

FANUC introduces the CRX-3iA collaborative robot, the lightest and most compact model in the entire CRX cobot range. Designed to be transported and ready for operation in minutes, it is aimed at all those applications where being able to move the robot quickly makes a real difference.

Weighing just 11 kg, the CRX-3iA addresses a real need in industries such as shipbuilding and steel construction, where welders often work on enormous structures and must constantly move. The robot can be carried with one hand, positioned at a new work point, and is ready to go in seconds. This means a single person can manage multiple welding stations, a real advantage in a market that has long been plagued by a shortage of qualified welders.

The 3 kg payload is sufficient to simultaneously handle the torch and the seam tracking sensor, while the repeatability of ±0.02 mm ensures the precision required for certain processes. After each move, the robot automatically detects its installation angle and, using a laser scanner or tactile sensor, locates the seam and plans its path autonomously.

An optional magnetic base can be added to attach the robot directly to steel structures quickly and stably, eliminating much of the complexity of traditional robotic installations.

The CRX-3iA is part of the CRX series, a range of FANUC cobots that can handle payloads of up to 30 kg and reach up to 1,756 mm, and integrates seamlessly with existing FANUC control systems and software. It also inherits wrist button technology: the operator can guide the arm and teach positions directly to the robot, without having to resort to a Teach Pendant, making programming faster and production changeovers less costly.

Its application possibilities extend beyond welding. Its compact size and light weight make it suitable for AGV mounting for picking, line replenishment, and internal handling. It's also an attractive solution for training environments, where there's often no space for a traditional industrial robot.

“Companies need automation that adapts to them, not the other way around,” says Vera Mariani, Business Development and Communications and Sales Coordinator Manager at FANUC Italia . “With the new CRX-3iA, we focused on ease of use, quick commissioning, and precision. Customers can bring automation where it's needed, without having to rethink the entire installation.”

The new CRX-3iA cobot will be one of the protagonists of the Technovation Forum , the FANUC event open to all and dedicated to new technologies and automation which will be held on 18 November at the Lainate (MI) headquarters.

For more information: Fanuc

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