High-Payload Collaborative Robots with Seven-Axis Design

Kassow Robots has introduced two new collaborative robot models designed for higher payload applications, extending the operational scope of cobots into areas traditionally served by industrial robots. The systems target manufacturing tasks such as palletizing, machine tending, and material handling.

Extending collaborative robotics into higher payload ranges
Collaborative robots have typically been limited in payload capacity, restricting their use in heavier industrial processes. With the KR 1824 and KR 1240, Kassow Robots addresses this limitation by combining higher load capacity with its established seven-axis kinematic design.

The additional axis enables greater reach and flexibility compared to conventional six-axis robots, allowing operation in constrained spaces and complex orientations. This design supports applications requiring both extended reach and precise positioning, particularly in dynamic production environments.

As part of Bosch Rexroth’s automation portfolio, Kassow Robots positions these systems to bridge the gap between traditional industrial robots and collaborative robotics, enabling manufacturers to automate more demanding tasks without sacrificing adaptability.

Mechanical performance and motion improvements
The new models incorporate measurable performance enhancements to support heavier payload handling. These include a 50% increase in joint torque, more than 20% higher wrist speeds, and a 40% improvement in mechanical stiffness.

These parameters directly influence operational stability and cycle time. Increased torque allows handling of heavier components, while improved stiffness contributes to positioning accuracy under load. Faster wrist movement reduces cycle duration, which is critical in high-throughput manufacturing processes.

Integration into flexible automation environments
The robots are designed for integration into modern factory automation systems, supporting both fixed and mobile deployment scenarios. Their compact structure allows installation in space-constrained production cells, a key requirement in retrofitting existing lines.

An integrated controller option, embedded directly in the robot base (EDGE concept), simplifies system setup and reduces external hardware requirements. This architecture supports modular automation and aligns with trends toward decentralized control in industrial environments.

Application areas in manufacturing workflows
The KR 1824 and KR 1240 are intended for a range of industrial use cases, including palletizing, machine tending, and material handling. These applications benefit from the combination of reach, payload, and flexibility, particularly where variable product geometries or limited floor space are factors.

The systems are also suited for manufacturers seeking to implement scalable automation without transitioning fully to traditional industrial robot cells, supporting hybrid human-robot workflows.

Demonstration in factory automation context
The new cobots are presented as part of Bosch Rexroth’s factory automation ecosystem, including demonstrations at Hannover Messe 2026 in Hanover, Germany. The exhibition showcases integration scenarios ranging from basic handling tasks to more complex automated processes, illustrating how collaborative robotics can be embedded into broader automation architectures.

Positioning within collaborative robotics development
The introduction of higher payload cobots reflects a broader industry trend toward expanding the functional boundaries of collaborative robotics. By increasing load capacity and maintaining ease of integration, these systems aim to standardize cobot use in applications that previously required more rigid and space-intensive automation solutions.

Kassow Robots’ seven-axis approach differentiates its systems in terms of flexibility and reach, offering an alternative configuration to conventional six-axis cobots while maintaining compatibility with existing industrial workflows.

Edited by an industrial journalist Sucithra Mani with AI assistance.

www.kassowrobots.com