Industrial robot rejuvenation
Robot Retrofit
We refurbish industrial robots — no need to change the robot arm, wiring, vision system, or end effector. We upgrade the controls box for a modern one, and upgrade hardware (motors, gearboxes) only when necessary.
What makes a retrofit candidate?
Common scenarios where a retrofit makes sense
Controls box not functional
Your robot arm is in great condition, but parts in the controls box are bad or obsolete and replacements are hard to find.
Lack of manufacturer support
The robot's manufacturer no longer supports the arm or control box, and offers no upgrade controls package.
Re-certification
Getting a new robot would involve an expensive certification process due to your work environment.
Difficulty teaching your robot
Your robot needs to be re-taught for various tasks using antiquated software, which requires a programmer and makes the process time-consuming and expensive.
Multiple robots on the floor
You already have older robots and need new ones, but want a single HMI/UI for all of them to simplify operator training and maintenance.
Lack of software features
Your robot is in great condition, but the antiquated controls box leaves your software short on features that would simplify tasks or programming.
Need for machine linkage
You want the robot to tie into other machines or conveyor systems at your facility to create a seamless automation process.
Accuracy deficiency
Your robot hardware can achieve high performance, but the existing controller software can't deliver to the expected level.
Why retrofit a robot?
Learn about the upside of retrofitting
Cost
RSI provides a flexible, affordable path to the latest robot system hardware and software.
Higher productivity
Productivity rises when higher-quality controls are used; upgrades extend both the functionality and the lifetime of the robot.
Improved quality
End-of-life robot equipment can be replaced piece-by-piece through a retrofit, with gains in reliability, safety, and performance.
Custom solution
Solutions are built around what the client needs — RSI adds or removes functionality based on the specific application.
Great support
Support is our top priority. RSI becomes part of your team, ready to answer questions and resolve concerns.
Ease of use
We design our APIs and UIs to be as intuitive as possible, so your refurbished robot is easy to operate.
Plug & play
An interface card enables communication between your new EtherCAT drives and our modern robot controller.
Single source
A complete retrofit system from one source — coordinated consultation, installation, training, service, and maintenance.
From old to new
Rejuvenate your robot system: RSI upgrades peripheral devices to the latest EtherCAT technology. Why buy a new robot when you can recycle?
Included hardware
Items shipped with every Robot Retrofit package
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Electrical cabinet
A controls cabinet sized for your robot hardware, including a robot controller, servo drives, and supporting components.
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Tablet for RapidRobot software
A Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, pre-loaded with RapidRobot — advanced but simple to use for teaching and programming the robot.
How does our retrofit solution work?
Eight steps from inquiry to production
- 01
Describe your application
Explain what tasks the robot performed. Feel free to share a video or picture of it in operation.
- 02
Provide robot model
Share the robot part number so we can validate compatibility.
- 03
Budgetary pricing
Based on the information on hand, RSI provides budgetary pricing.
- 04
Ship one motor to RSI
Remove one motor from the robot and ship it to us. We test and validate it to ensure the RapidRobot controller supports it.
- 05
Exact retrofit price
We size the servo drives required for the six robot axes and the electrical cabinet, then provide an exact retrofit price.
- 06
We build and ship
After PO, RSI builds the cabinet and ships all items — controls cabinet, Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, and cabling.
- 07
Programming the robot
RapidRobot is as simple as using a mobile app. We can also come on-site to help.
- 08
Robot in production
Your robot is back in production, backed by a two-year warranty.
Partner with us
Why work with RSI
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Experience
We leverage 24+ years of automation experience to tackle your unique application, no matter how challenging.
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Cost competitive
We weigh multiple solutions to find the best fit, ensuring a return on investment that makes sense for you.
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Support
We provide excellent system-level support, so machine downtime and troubleshooting are minimized.
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Communication
We schedule regular calls and share project updates so you're informed of status throughout the engagement.
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Attention to detail
We start by collecting every relevant machine specification, requirement, and constraint for the application.
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Project management
We manage your application from concept through production, delivering on time and surpassing expectations.
RapidRobot Software
Intuitive user interface
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Program
The most intuitive controller for cobots
Enjoy the ultimate robot program editor. Creating programs is like using a mobile application. It brings an advanced design interface to the robotic industry that both beginners and experts will fall in love with. It's incredibly smart, super flexible, amazingly powerful and visual by nature. This is how programming a robot is meant to be done.
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Jog
Moving a robot has never been easier
With our software, moving your robot is extremely easy. You have complete freedom to jog in joint or cartesian space. Easily change speed, modes, and save points. With our animations you'll know exactly what part of the robot is moving and when limits are reached. Controlling a robot has never been this easy.
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I/O
Inputs and outputs, state and manipulation
Troubleshoot and configure I/O all in one place. Easily modify the state of each individual component, or simply observe how your program is changing the state of your available I/O.
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Customize
Different flavors for different people
We see how technologies and trends evolve, and stay current with the ones that make our customers' lives easier. The RapidRobot software lets you change the theme, the jogging style, and the language. These are just the first custom items of many more to come.
Get a quote
Tell us about your robot and our engineers will follow up with a retrofit plan.