UR5e
Collaborative robotic arm for flexible automation tasks
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The UR5e is a collaborative robot (cobot) from Universal Robots designed for medium-duty automation applications. With a 5 kg payload capacity and 850 mm reach, it features built-in force/torque sensing for safe human-robot collaboration and easy programming through an intuitive touchscreen interface. The UR5e targets manufacturers in electronics, automotive, food & beverage, and other industries seeking flexible, safe automation solutions.
Released: 2018
Overview
The UR5e represents Universal Robots' e-Series evolution of their popular UR5 collaborative robot arm. Launched as part of the enhanced e-Series lineup, the UR5e incorporates advanced force/torque sensing capabilities directly into the tool flange, enabling more sensitive touch and precise force control for delicate assembly tasks. This sixth-generation cobot maintains the compact footprint and lightweight design that made its predecessor successful while adding improved safety features and programming capabilities.
Designed for manufacturers who need flexible automation without safety caging, the UR5e can work alongside human operators thanks to its built-in safety system that can stop the robot upon contact. The cobot's intuitive programming interface allows operators with minimal robotics experience to teach and deploy new tasks quickly, significantly reducing setup time compared to traditional industrial robots.
The UR5e strikes a balance between payload capacity and reach, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from machine tending and pick-and-place operations to quality inspection and light assembly work. Its collaborative nature and ease of deployment have made it a popular choice for small to medium-sized manufacturers looking to automate repetitive tasks without major facility modifications.
Key Features
- Built-in force/torque sensing: Tool-integrated sensor enables precise force control and safe collaboration without external equipment
- ±0.03 mm repeatability: High precision positioning for consistent quality in assembly and inspection tasks
- IP54 rating: Protected against dust and water splashes for use in various industrial environments
- Intuitive programming: PolyScope touchscreen interface with hand-guided teaching for quick deployment without coding expertise
- 500 programmable safety functions: Configurable safety zones and limits for secure human-robot collaboration
- Compact and lightweight: 20.6 kg robot weight with 850 mm reach allows flexible mounting options including wall, ceiling, or mobile platforms
- Universal Robots+ ecosystem: Access to certified end-effectors, software, and application kits from partnered vendors
Applications
The UR5e is deployed across diverse manufacturing sectors for applications including machine tending, packaging and palletizing, quality inspection, assembly operations, and material handling. In electronics manufacturing, it performs precise pick-and-place tasks and product testing. Automotive suppliers use it for parts assembly and polishing operations. Food and beverage companies leverage its IP54 rating for packaging tasks in environments with moisture and cleaning requirements. The cobot's collaborative safety features make it ideal for applications where frequent changeovers or human interaction are necessary.
Small and medium-sized enterprises particularly benefit from the UR5e's flexibility and ease of redeployment. The robot can be quickly reprogrammed and moved between production lines to handle seasonal demand fluctuations or product changes. Contract manufacturers use multiple UR5e units to provide scalable automation services across different client projects without extensive retooling investments.
Technical Highlights
The defining technical achievement of the UR5e is its integrated force/torque sensing capability at the tool flange, which eliminates the need for external sensors while providing precise force feedback for applications requiring controlled contact. This sensing system enables the robot to detect collisions instantly and respond appropriately, whether by stopping completely for safety or adjusting force during assembly operations. The combination of this sensing with ±0.03 mm repeatability allows the UR5e to perform delicate tasks that previously required human dexterity.
The UR5e's joint encoders provide absolute positioning without homing routines, meaning the robot knows its position immediately upon power-up. Each joint can rotate 360 degrees continuously (with infinite rotation on the end joint), providing exceptional flexibility in confined workspaces. The robot's control system runs at 500 Hz, ensuring smooth motion and rapid response to sensor inputs. Universal Robots' UR+ platform integration and support for standard industrial communication protocols like Modbus TCP and PROFINET make the UR5e highly interoperable with existing factory automation infrastructure.
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