SCARA Robots — What They Are and Where They Are Used
SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) is a 4-axis manipulator with planar kinematics: two horizontal rotational axes, one vertical linear axis (Z stroke), and one rotational tool flange. This configuration is ideal for XY-plane pick-and-place with Z-axis insertion — the standard assembly cell workhorse. SCARA is significantly faster than a cobot for simple operations, and less expensive than a 6-axis robot for planar tasks.
Application areas: PCB assembly (SMD, through-hole), component testing and tray sorting, adhesive and flux dispensing, printer and CNC loading/unloading, lightweight packaging, and barcode labelling. SCARA is not suited for heavy-box palletizing.
How to Choose a SCARA Robot
| Model | Payload (kg) | Reach (mm) | Z stroke (mm) | Cycle (s) | Repeatability (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veichi VCSH-3 | 3 | 400 | 100 | 0.4 | ±0.02 |
| Veichi VCSH-6 | 6 | 550 | 150 | 0.4 | ±0.02 |
| Veichi VCSW-4 | 4 | 450 | 120 | 0.35 | ±0.02 |
| Veichi VCSG-20 | 20 | 800 | 200 | 0.5 | ±0.03 |
1. Cycle speed. Standard ISO 9283 pick-and-place cycle (305 mm × 25 mm): SCARA achieves 0.3–0.5 s. A cobot takes 1–2 s for the same cycle. Over a 6-hour shift, SCARA completes 43,000–72,000 operations.
2. Z stroke. Standard range: 100–200 mm. If the application requires tilting parts in three dimensions, consider a 6-axis robot.
3. Feeder integration. SCARA robots typically pair with vibratory bowl or linear feeders. Verify that the controller supports a photosensor trigger for grasp initiation.
4. Cleanroom class. Pharmaceutical and medical applications require ISO Class 5–6 cleanroom SCARA. Veichi VCSG is standard industrial grade — confirm cleanroom compatibility at order stage.
Manufacturers in the Catalogue
Veichi VCSH/VCSW/VCSG — 13 SKUs for 3–20 kg with full Veichi ecosystem integration. Veichi Robotics catalogue. Related: 6-axis robots, cobots, palletizers.
SCARA Robots by Specification
- Veichi SCARA — catalogue
- Related: 6-axis industrial robots
- Related: collaborative robots
- Sensors: photosensors and presence detectors
- Control: PLCs | HMI panels
Warranty and Support
12-month warranty. Commissioning and operator training on request. Pre-purchase consultation: cycle time calculation, gripper selection, feeder integration. Delivery via Nova Poshta or freight carrier.
