Epson Korea Launches Three High-Payload, High-Efficiency SCARA Robots to Support Industrial Automation

Expansion of SCARA Robot Lineup
From Automotive Parts and Lithium Battery Manufacturing
To Heavy-Duty and Small Component Applications

As demand for industrial automation continues to grow, Epson Korea is significantly strengthening its portfolio by introducing three new models in its SCARA robot lineup. Epson aims to provide automation solutions optimized for various industrial environments, ranging from heavy-duty applications to efficient use of compact spaces.

On January 14, Epson Korea unveiled new products including a high-payload SCARA robot, the LS50-C, the LS20-C (a ceiling-mounted SCARA robot), and the RS4/S6-C. The company’s strategy is to expand its lineup so that customers can select models based on process characteristics and installation environments, thereby enhancing overall production process efficiency and operational flexibility of equipment.

The LS series has established itself as the bestseller among Epson’s SCARA robot lineup. Among the new releases, the LS50-C and LS20-C are capable of handling heavy loads, making them highly applicable in manufacturing processes for automotive electrification components such as motors, inverters, and lithium batteries.

Three models of SCARA robots from Epson Korea. From left to right: LS50-C, LS20-C, RS6-C, Epson Korea

In particular, the LS50-C is the model in Epson’s SCARA robot lineup that supports the highest payload of 50 kg. It was developed with the manufacturing processes of prismatic lithium batteries, which have a high weight ratio, as well as electric vehicle (EV) powertrain components in mind. Its strengths lie in enabling heavy-duty handling while maintaining a small footprint and lightweight robot body structure, thus ensuring both space efficiency and productivity.

With the recent slowdown in the EV market, domestic battery manufacturers are expanding production of prismatic batteries for energy storage systems (ESS). In this context, the LS50-C is presented as an automation alternative suitable for assembly and transfer processes. Compared to six-axis robots, which are still widely used in domestic manufacturing sites, the LS50-C supports more efficient automation conversion of lithium battery production lines by offering a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and a smaller installation footprint.

The LS20-C is a high-payload SCARA robot with significantly enhanced overall performance, including improved processing speed and reduced standard cycle time compared to its predecessor. Notably, having obtained NRTL certification, it is now available for sale in the US market, expanding its global applicability. The LS20-C targets the same industries as the LS50-C, namely automotive parts and lithium battery manufacturing, and can handle heavy loads with a maximum payload of 20 kg. Its compatibility with the high-performance integrated controller RC800-A allows it to be used on high-speed production lines where both stability and precision are required.

The RS4/S6-C, a ceiling-mounted SCARA robot, features 360-degree omnidirectional operation without dead zones, further enhancing space efficiency and design flexibility. The new models incorporate various upgrades, including increased payload capacity (RS4-C from 3 kg to 4 kg, RS6-C from 4 kg to 6 kg), extended third joint (J3 Stroke) length (from 130 mm to 200 mm for the RS6-C), the application of Gyroplus Technology for reduced cycle time, and the adoption of a battery-less motor unit to reduce maintenance costs and time.

The RS4/S6-C mainly targets the handling market for small parts such as semiconductors and medical implants, offering high space efficiency and stability in environments that require high precision and speed.

Jun Morohoshi, CEO of Epson Korea, stated, "These three new SCARA robot models are the result of over 40 years of accumulated robotics technology, reflecting the diverse requirements of manufacturing environments from heavy-duty handling to maximizing space efficiency. We will continue to expand our lineup of industry-specific robotic solutions to support our customers in building smart factories."