FANUC Showcases New Paint Robot at Paint Expo 2026

Surface finishing, automotive, rail, and industrial coating applications require consistent quality, controlled process parameters, and efficient material usage. At Paint Expo 2026 (14–17 April, Karlsruhe, Germany, Hall 3/Stand 3438), FANUC presents robotics solutions designed to improve paint quality, reduce overspray, and enhance process reliability, including a preview of a new paint robot model for European markets.

Visitors to the stand can observe automated coating applications that demonstrate stable path control, repeatable speed, and optimized process parameters—key factors in achieving uniform surface finishes and minimizing rework.

New paint robot design for larger components and reduced maintenance
A central highlight is the pre-series presentation of the P-55/15-21A paint robot, introduced in Europe ahead of its official market launch. The system offers a reach exceeding two metres, enabling the coating of larger components while maintaining path accuracy required for uniform paint application.

The robot supports payloads up to 15 kg and incorporates a hollow wrist design, allowing cables and hoses to be routed internally. This configuration protects media lines from external wear and contributes to more stable and reliable operation in automated painting environments.

To improve maintainability and system efficiency, the explosion-proof circuitry has been redesigned, reducing component count and enabling integration into a single control cabinet. In addition, battery-free encoders eliminate the need for periodic battery replacement, lowering maintenance requirements and supporting continuous operation in industrial settings.

Collaborative and automated painting applications
In addition to the new robot, FANUC demonstrates its CRX-10iA/L Paint collaborative robot, designed for human-robot collaboration in coating applications. With a payload of 10 kg and ATEX certification, the system is suitable for environments requiring explosion protection, such as paint shops handling volatile substances.

The cobot supports flexible cell configurations, allowing manufacturers to adapt production layouts based on batch size, product variation, or space constraints. Live demonstrations include coating tasks such as painting a motorcycle helmet, illustrating the system’s ability to handle detailed and variable geometries.

Application in industrial coating processes
The showcased solutions are designed for industries requiring high-quality surface finishes, including automotive manufacturing, rail transport, and general industrial production. In these applications, robotic painting systems enable consistent layer thickness, reduced material waste, and improved repeatability compared to manual processes.

Automation also addresses workforce challenges by reducing reliance on manual labor in hazardous environments, while improving operational uptime through predictable and controlled processes.

Integration and system-level capabilities
Beyond individual robots, FANUC also operates as a system integrator for complete painting lines. One example is the automated coating system being implemented for railway carriage maintenance in Cottbus, Germany, where robotic solutions are integrated into a full-scale production environment.

The company’s paint lab in Neuhausen supports testing and validation of customer-specific applications, enabling optimization of parameters such as spray patterns, cycle times, and material usage before deployment.

By combining robot hardware, application expertise, and system integration capabilities, FANUC’s approach focuses on delivering scalable and reproducible coating processes aligned with industrial efficiency and sustainability requirements.

Edited by Industrial Journalist, Natania Lyngdoh — Adapted by AI.

www.fanuc.com