Articulated Robot
An articulated robot is a robotic arm with rotary joints, usually six, giving it flexible, human-arm-like motion for welding, handling, and assembly.
An articulated robot is the most common industrial robot type: a serial chain of rotary joints (axes) connecting rigid links, resembling a human arm. Most are six-axis, giving full freedom to position and orient the tool anywhere in the work envelope.
Six axes allow the tool to reach a point from many approach angles, which is why articulated robots dominate welding, material handling, assembly, machine tending, and dispensing. Higher-axis variants add redundancy for reaching around obstacles.
Articulated robots from ABB, KUKA, FANUC, and Yaskawa make up the bulk of the secondary market. The Robot Portal lists used and refurbished articulated robots filterable by axis count, payload, and reach.