Collaborative Robot

SZGH Collaborative Robot (Cobot) — 3–20 kg Payload, No Safety Fence Required

The SZGH-BCi Series is SZGHTECH's dedicated line of collaborative robots (cobots) — 6-axis arms engineered to work safely alongside human operators without a safety fence, thanks to PLd/CAT3-rated collision detection and level-10 sensor safety on every joint. Eight models span 3 kg to 20 kg payload and 625 mm to 1,650 mm reach, covering everything from precision 3C electronics assembly (±0.02 mm repeatability) to heavy-payload palletizing and machine tending. Every SZGH cobot supports drag-teach programming — an operator can physically guide the arm through a motion path and the robot replicates it, no coding required — plus SDK/API support (C++, Lua, Python, ROS) for advanced integration. Certified to CE, UL, and KCs standards and trusted across 126 countries, SZGH cobots are deployed in automotive, 3C, hardware, sanitary ware, medical, new-retail, and logistics production lines. Free engineering consultation and 24-hour quotation included.

Compare All SZGH-BCi Collaborative Robots

Safety & Communication (All Models):

Not sure which payload you need? Send us your part weight and reach requirement — SZGH engineers will recommend the right BCi model within 24 hours.

Choose Your Cobot by Application

How to Choose the Right Collaborative Robot (Cobot)

Choosing the right cobot comes down to four decisions:

1. What is your part's actual weight (payload)?

Always add a 20% safety margin to your heaviest part weight — a 4 kg part needs at least a 5 kg-rated cobot (SZGH-BCi5), not a 3 kg model running at its limit. For palletizing or box handling, weigh the box plus the end-effector (gripper) weight, which often adds 1–3 kg.

2. What precision does your process require?

Screwing, gluing, 3C assembly, inspection → choose ±0.02–0.03 mm models (SZGH-BCi3, BCi7, BCi12, BCi16).
Pick-and-place, palletizing, general handling → ±0.05–0.1 mm is sufficient (SZGH-BCi5, BCk5, BCi10, BCi20) and gives you more payload/reach for the price.

3. How much working envelope (reach) do you need?

Measure the distance from the robot's mounting point to the farthest point it must reach. 625–900 mm covers small-parts benches; 1,250–1,350 mm covers standard machine-tending cells; 1,650 mm (SZGH-BCi20) covers full-pallet-width palletizing stations.

4. Do you need a cobot vs a traditional industrial robot?

Choose a cobot if: you need to deploy without a safety fence, your production line has mixed human-robot work, floor space is limited, or you plan to redeploy the robot across multiple stations. Choose a traditional industrial robot ( Robot Arm category) if: you need higher payload (50 kg+), faster cycle times at full industrial speed, or your process is fully automated with no human interaction.

How much does a collaborative robot cost?

A complete SZGH cobot cell — robot arm + control box + teach pendant + basic end-effector — typically prices USD 8,000 – 22,000 depending on payload tier. Light-tier models (BCi3/BCi5/BCi7/BCk5) start around USD 8,000–12,000; mid-tier (BCi10/BCi12) around USD 12,000–16,000; heavy-tier (BCi16/BCi20) around USD 16,000–22,000. Free line-itemized quote within 24 hours.

What is the payback period on a cobot?

Most SZGH cobot deployments in assembly and handling applications report a payback period of 1.5–2.5 years, based on labor cost reduction and production capacity gains of 30–50% in the automated station. Applications with continuous 2–3 shift operation typically pay back faster.

How do I program a cobot? (drag-teach explained)

SZGH cobots support drag-teach programming — physically grab the robot arm, guide it through the motion path you want, and the controller records it as a repeatable program. No coding knowledge required. For advanced integration, the open SDK/API (C++, Lua, Python, ROS) supports vision systems, conveyor tracking, and third-party peripherals.

Why Manufacturers Choose SZGH Collaborative Robots

1. Widest Payload Range in a Single Series

From 3 kg (SZGH-BCi3) to 20 kg (SZGH-BCi20), the BCi Series covers precision assembly and heavy palletizing under one product family — same programming interface, same safety architecture, one supplier relationship.

2. PLd / CAT3 Safety Certified — No Fence Required

Every BCi model passes PLd and CAT3 safety certification (EN ISO 13849) with level-10 collision detection on every joint, allowing direct human-robot collaboration without a physical safety fence — saving floor space and installation cost.

3. Rare Heavy-Payload + High-Precision Combination

The SZGH-BCi16 delivers 16 kg payload at ±0.03 mm repeatability — a combination most competing heavy cobots cannot match, since heavier arms typically sacrifice precision.

4. Drag-Teach Programming — No Coding Required

Operators program by physically guiding the arm through the desired path. Combined with an open SDK/API (C++, Lua, Python, ROS), both non-technical staff and engineering teams can deploy the same robot.

5. Self-Developed Motion Controller (100+ Patents)

SZGH's intelligent robot control system is independently developed in-house — not a third-party OEM controller — giving direct engineering support and faster custom feature turnaround.

6. Full CE / UL / KCs Certification, Factory-Direct Pricing

Multi-market safety certification (CE, UL, KCs) plus factory-direct pricing from Shenzhen — typically 30–50% below Japanese/European/Korean cobot brands at comparable payload and precision.

Frequently Asked Questions — SZGH Collaborative Robot (Cobot)

Q1: What is a collaborative robot (cobot)?

A collaborative robot, or cobot, is an industrial robot arm designed to work safely alongside human operators without a physical safety fence. SZGH's BCi Series achieves this through PLd/CAT3-rated collision detection and sensor safety on every joint, certified to CE, UL, and KCs standards.

Q2: What is the difference between a cobot and a traditional industrial robot?

Cobots are engineered for safe human-robot collaboration (no fence required, lower speed limits, force/collision sensing) and are typically easier to reprogram via drag-teach. Traditional industrial robots ( Robot Arm category) run at higher speeds and payloads inside a guarded work cell, best for fully automated, high-volume processes with no human interaction.

Q3: How much does an SZGH collaborative robot cost?

A complete cell (robot + control box + teach pendant + basic end-effector) typically prices USD 8,000–22,000 depending on payload tier: light-tier (3–7 kg) USD 8,000–12,000; mid-tier (10–12 kg) USD 12,000–16,000; heavy-tier (16–20 kg) USD 16,000–22,000. Free quote in 24 hours.

Q4: What payload cobot do I need?

Add a 20% safety margin to your heaviest part weight, and include the end-effector (gripper) weight. A 4 kg part needs at least a 5 kg-rated cobot (SZGH-BCi5), not a 3 kg model running at its payload limit.

Q5: Do SZGH cobots require a safety fence?

No. All SZGH-BCi models are PLd/CAT3 safety-rated with level-10 collision detection, allowing direct deployment alongside human workers without a physical fence — subject to a standard risk assessment for your specific application.

Q6: How do I program an SZGH cobot?

Via drag-teach: physically guide the robot arm through the desired motion path and the controller records it as a repeatable program — no coding required. Advanced users can also use the open SDK/API (C++, Lua, Python, ROS) for vision integration and custom logic.

Q7: What is the payback period for a collaborative robot?

Most SZGH cobot deployments in assembly and handling report a payback period of 1.5–2.5 years, driven by labor cost reduction and 30–50% production capacity gains in the automated station.

Q8: Which SZGH cobot has the best precision?

The SZGH-BCi3 and SZGH-BCi7 both achieve ±0.02 mm repeatability, the tightest in the series. For heavier parts needing precision, the SZGH-BCi16 delivers ±0.03 mm at 16 kg payload.

Q9: Can SZGH cobots be used for welding?

Yes, but SZGH offers a dedicated welding cobot line — SZGH-1406-A, SZGH-1415-A, SZGH-1820-A (arc welding) and SZGH-1415-L, SZGH-1820-L (laser welding) — pre-integrated with MIG/TIG/laser welding plugins. View Welding Cobots →

Q10: Are SZGH cobots CE certified?

Yes. All SZGH-BCi models carry CE certification along with PLd, CAT3, UL, and KCs safety ratings. Certificates and test reports available on request.

Not Sure Which Cobot Fits Your Line?

Send us your part weight, reach requirement, and application — SZGH engineers will recommend the right BCi model and quote in 24 hours.

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