Last Updated: April 20, 2026

EVST XR Series Cobot Specifications Guide

The EVST XR series is a full-range line of 6-axis collaborative robots covering 3 kg to 30 kg payload, built for manufacturers who need industrial-grade performance in human-robot collaboration. Five models (XR3, XR6, XR12, XR16, and XR20) address light assembly, welding, machine tending, palletizing, and inspection across automotive, electronics, chemical, and logistics industries. EVST supplies certified variants for standard workshops, ATEX Zone 1/2 hazardous areas, and extreme-temperature environments from -30°C to 80°C.

Need a model recommendation for your process? Contact an EVST application engineer for a no-obligation payload and reach assessment.

XR Series Architecture: Controller, Communication and Safety Platform

Every XR model shares a common hardware and software platform. The embedded controller runs at an EtherCAT 1 kHz control frequency, which gives peripheral devices (torque sensors, vision systems, servo drives) microsecond-level synchronization without an external PLC. The teach pendant offers a graphical drag-and-drop interface alongside lead-through teaching, so an operator with no programming background can set up a basic pick-and-place cell in under two hours.

Communication options span EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP, PROFINET, and standard Ethernet (TCP/IP), covering the majority of existing factory infrastructure. Tool-end I/O ports (24 V, DI/DO, AI) allow direct connection of grippers, sensors, and cameras without additional junction boxes. MES and Industrial IoT integration is handled through standard OPC-UA and REST API connectors, enabling real-time data upload for production monitoring and predictive maintenance.

The safety architecture complies with ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS 15066. The XR controller implements over 100 self-monitoring safety functions, including safety-rated joint speed monitoring, safety-rated stop, hand-guiding mode, and power-and-force limiting. Ten programmable collision protection levels let engineers tune sensitivity to the application (tight tolerances for precision assembly, looser thresholds for heavy material handling) without compromising personnel safety.

For broader context on cobot safety standards and selection methodology, see EVST’s Complete Guide to Collaborative Robots.

Payload and Reach Lineup: XR3 Through XR20

The five XR models span three payload tiers. Reach figures and repeatability below reflect published ranges; models at the heavier end of each tier carry wider reach envelopes. Consult the product datasheet or request a spec sheet for exact per-model values.

XR Series Model Comparison Table

Note: An XR30 variant (30 kg) extends the series upper end. Exact reach and repeatability figures vary by configuration. Contact EVST for current datasheets.

According to industry observations on cobot market segmentation, the 6–12 kg payload segment accounts for the largest share of global cobot installations, driven by welding and machine-tending demand. EVST addresses this with the XR6 and XR12, purpose-built for those exact workflows, with full ISO 10218-1 compliance and optional IATF16949 automotive-grade certification.

Precision and Motion Performance

The XR series achieves TCP (tool center point) speeds up to 4 m/s, a figure that positions these cobots alongside many traditional industrial robots for cycle-time-sensitive tasks. That speed is combined with jerk-controlled trajectory planning, which smooths acceleration transitions and reduces mechanical wear during high-cycle operations.

Repeatability across the lineup ranges from approximately ±0.02 mm on lighter models (XR3, XR6) to approximately ±0.05 mm on the heavier XR16 and XR20. The ±0.02 mm figure, confirmed by EVST’s published specifications, is achieved through accurate dynamics model identification technology: real-time compensation for joint friction, inertia, and structural compliance. At 2 microns, the XR3 and XR6 are viable for semiconductor packaging, precision connector insertion, and optical component assembly.

In practice, after commissioning XR6 units in screw-driving cells with M2–M4 fasteners, field engineers report tightening cycles below 1.5 seconds per point and first-pass pass rates above 99.5% over extended production runs. That result depends on tooling calibration and feed system design, not just the robot. The motion platform supports it.

According to ISO/TS 15066, power-and-force limiting is a defined collaborative operation mode requiring the robot to stop or reduce force when contact with a person is detected. The XR series implements this through 10 programmable collision protection levels, each configurable per process zone, so high-speed segments of a cycle can apply stricter force thresholds while slower, human-adjacent segments use softer limits.

Safety System: ISO 10218-1, ISO/TS 15066 and 10 Collision Protection Levels

The XR safety system goes beyond a single collision-stop function. Over 100 self-monitoring safety functions cover joint speed limits, workspace envelope monitoring, safety-rated inputs (emergency stop, enabling device), and tool orientation constraints. The 10 collision protection levels are a graduated force-limiting system rather than a binary on/off. Each level corresponds to a configurable force threshold, allowing the robot to distinguish between a light unexpected contact and a hard structural impact.

Additional features include an onboard data recorder that logs full operational state (joint positions, velocities, applied torques, I/O states) during any anomaly event. This supports root-cause analysis without relying on operator memory or external data capture systems. Power-off protection technology ensures controlled deceleration and park even if the robot cable is severed mid-cycle, preventing uncontrolled arm movement.

CE, SGS, and TUV certifications confirm that third-party testing organizations have independently verified the XR series against applicable European machinery directives and international safety standards. These are not self-declared; they require documented test records and periodic surveillance audits.

Application-Grade Variants

A single hardware platform supports four distinct application grades, each addressing environments that a standard cobot cannot enter reliably.

Application-Grade Variants Comparison Table

The explosion-proof variant deserves specific mention. ATEX Zone 1/2 and IECEx dual certification means the cobot is independently verified for operation in areas where flammable gases or vapors may be present continuously, intermittently, or under abnormal conditions. According to industry safety data, chemical and petrochemical facilities represent one of the fastest-growing segments for collaborative automation, and prior to this product class, those environments required either traditional caged robots or manual operations with all associated hazard exposure. EVST addresses this gap as the first Chinese manufacturer to achieve ATEX/IECEx certification for a cobot product line.

For a full technical breakdown of explosion-proof cobot requirements and deployment guidance, see the Explosion-Proof Cobots in Hazardous Environments Guide.

Programming and Integration

The XR teach pendant runs a graphical interface with drag-and-drop function blocks for motion, logic, I/O, and process-specific commands (palletizing patterns, welding parameters, screw-driving torque curves). Lead-through teaching, where the operator physically guides the arm, records the trajectory for playback. Neither method requires writing code, which shortens the time from unboxing to first production cycle.

For engineers who prefer offline programming or simulation, the XR controller accepts standard robot programming file imports and connects to common simulation platforms. EtherCAT at 1 kHz enables coordinated external axis control: pair an XR12 or larger with an EVST welding positioner and the system treats the positioner as a seventh axis with synchronized path interpolation and no additional control hardware. Attach an XR to an EVST linear robot track and the working envelope expands to cover multiple machine stations in a single program.

I/O expansion supports standard 24V digital inputs and outputs, analog inputs, and Ethernet-based distributed I/O. Robot programming variables can be written from and read by MES systems over OPC-UA, allowing production recipes to be pushed from the manufacturing execution layer without operator intervention at the pendant.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, manufacturers that integrate cobots with MES and data analytics platforms report measurably shorter changeover times compared to standalone robot deployments. EVST addresses this through standardized API connectors on the XR controller, reducing integration development time during turnkey project delivery.

Application Matrix

The five models cover a wide range of process and material-handling applications. The table below maps each application to the recommended XR model range, the critical performance parameter, and the integration accessory typically involved.

For 6-axis robot deployment methodology in demanding applications, the 6-axis robot overview provides additional context on axis configuration and motion envelopes.

How to Pick the Right XR Model: A 5-Step Framework

Step 1: Calculate True Payload

Add the workpiece weight to the end-of-arm tooling weight. Apply a 20% safety margin on top of that total. A 5 kg workpiece with a 0.8 kg gripper requires at least 7 kg rated payload, which puts you at the XR6 or XR12 depending on reach and duty cycle.

Step 2: Confirm Working Radius

Map the workstation geometry: distance from the robot base to the farthest tool position at full extension. The XR3 covers approximately 600–650 mm; the XR20 reaches approximately 1,600–1,800 mm. If your envelope falls at the outer limit of a model’s range, step up. Running at maximum reach degrades repeatability and cycle life.

Step 3: Match Precision to the Process

Screw driving (M2–M4) and optical inspection need ±0.02–0.03 mm: select XR3 or XR6. Arc welding and machine tending tolerate ±0.03–0.05 mm: XR6 through XR16. Heavy palletizing works at ±0.05 mm: XR16 or XR20. Do not over-specify precision if your process does not require it, since higher-precision models carry higher unit cost.

Step 4: Define the Environmental Grade

Standard workshop with no special hazards: industrial-grade IP54–IP65 is sufficient. Automotive production cell with IATF16949 quality requirements: automotive-grade. Spray booth, chemical plant, or ATEX Zone 1/2 area: explosion-proof IP68 with ATEX/IECEx certification. Cold-chain storage or hot forging environment outside 0–45°C: extreme-temperature variant (-30°C to 80°C).

Step 5: Verify Control System Fit

Check that the XR controller’s communication interfaces align with your existing PLC or SCADA: EtherCAT for high-speed fieldbus, Modbus-TCP or PROFINET for standard network integration. If you need coordinated external axis motion (a positioner, a linear track, a turntable), confirm the model supports synchronized multi-axis EtherCAT topology before finalizing the configuration.

Product Parameters Reference Table

Reach and repeatability figures are approximate and based on available published data. Contact EVST for current model-specific datasheets.

Why EVST for the XR Series

Four differentiating factors separate the XR series from standard cobot offerings:

1. IATF16949-certified production: The XR cobot line is manufactured under IATF16949:2016 automotive quality management. This means the production system, not just the finished product, is audited against automotive OEM quality demands. Buyers in Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supply chains can supply documentation to their OEM customers accordingly.
2. Explosion-proof IP68, ATEX/IECEx dual-certified: EVST is the first Chinese cobot manufacturer to achieve both ATEX and IECEx certification for a collaborative robot. The IP68 explosion-proof XR variant opens chemical, petrochemical, and paint-booth environments that were previously inaccessible to cobot automation.
3. Extreme-temperature design, -30°C to 80°C: Cold-chain logistics, hot forging, and outdoor industrial applications require hardware that standard cobots cannot survive. The XR extreme-temperature variant is engineered for sustained operation across a 110°C working range, with IP68 sealing throughout.
4. Global field engineer dispatch: EVST exports to over 100 countries and supports deployments with field engineering teams, not just documentation. For complex turnkey integration projects, this means on-site commissioning, training, and post-commissioning support rather than remote-only troubleshooting.

Ready to spec an XR model for your production cell? Send your application details to an EVST engineer and receive a configuration recommendation within one business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What payload range does the EVST XR series cover?

The XR series spans 3 kg to 30 kg. The five standard models are XR3, XR6, XR12, XR16, and XR20. An XR30 variant extends the top end of the range. This full coverage means a single supplier can address light electronics assembly and heavy palletizing within the same product family and controller platform.

What is the repeatability of EVST XR series cobots?

Repeatability varies by model. Lighter models (XR3 and XR6) achieve approximately ±0.02 mm, which is suitable for precision assembly and semiconductor handling. Mid-range models (XR12, XR16) fall in the approximately ±0.03–0.05 mm range. The XR20 is rated at approximately ±0.05 mm, appropriate for palletizing and material handling. Confirm exact figures with the current model datasheet before specifying for precision-critical applications.

Which XR cobot is suitable for ATEX Zone 1 or Zone 2 hazardous environments?

The explosion-proof XR variant carries both ATEX and IECEx dual certification with IP68 protection. It is the first cobot from a Chinese manufacturer to achieve this dual certification. It is suitable for oil and gas processing, chemical plants, paint spray booths, and other environments where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust may be present. Contact EVST with your zone classification and application details for configuration guidance.

Does the XR series support coordinated motion with external axes such as positioners or linear tracks?

Yes. The EtherCAT 1 kHz control bus allows the XR controller to synchronize with external axes (EVST welding positioners, rotary tables, and linear robot tracks), treating them as additional controlled axes in the robot program. This enables coordinated 7-axis or 8-axis motion without a separate PLC or motion controller.

What certifications does the EVST XR series carry?

All XR models carry CE, SGS, and TUV third-party certifications. The automotive-grade variant adds IATF16949:2016 production certification. The explosion-proof variant carries ATEX and IECEx dual certification alongside IP68 protection. Safety compliance is built to ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS 15066.

Last Updated: April 20, 2026