Used Robot Listings: Identify the Controller and Teach Pendant Together

A used robot listing may show an arm and describe it as a complete system, while the controller and teach pendant are listed only in a photograph. A buyer needs to know which components are actually included, which versions they are and what documentation supports their relationship. Those questions are separate from the seller’s statement that the arm powered on.

Inventory the components separately

Ask for the manufacturer and model of the arm, control box, teach pendant and any included cables or accessories. Record the identifiers the parties are permitted to share and note missing or unreadable labels. Do not infer that a component is included merely because a picture shows a similar item in the background.

A transaction list can distinguish items physically offered, documentation supplied and items still awaiting confirmation. If the seller offers several packages, identify which package is being evaluated. A complete inventory is a starting point for assessment, not proof that every listed item works or is suitable for the buyer’s application.

Ask which controller and pendant belong together

Universal Robots’ product frequently asked questions explain that, for the products discussed there, the teach pendant connects to the control box and the pendant choice depends on the controller. That example shows why a buyer should check the complete configuration. It is not a compatibility chart for every generation or for other manufacturers.

Request the applicable manufacturer documentation for the offered arm, controller and pendant. If a component has been replaced or upgraded, ask what work was performed and what evidence is available. A statement that parts were once used together is useful context but should not be converted into a universal compatibility guarantee.

Where the seller supplies an integration package, ask whether the documentation identifies any adapters or third-party accessories used with it. Record those items individually rather than burying them in a general description. If a missing accessory is needed for the intended setup, obtain a documented answer about its identity and availability before finalising the equipment list.

Keep software and version information with the hardware

Record the software or firmware version where the seller can verify it, the source of that information and any disclosed modifications. If access to version information requires powering the equipment, the inspection must be arranged by authorised personnel under the applicable safety process. A buyer should not request unsafe operation merely to complete a form.

In a hypothetical listing, an arm is offered with a control box but the pendant model is not stated. The buyer can mark that field as unknown and ask the seller or manufacturer which documentation applies. This example does not imply that the offered parts are compatible or incompatible, and it does not describe a real machine.

Use the correct model-specific manual

The Universal Robots UR3e user manual includes product-specific hardware and safety information. It is an example of documentation for the model and software version identified in that manual. A different arm, controller, pendant or software generation may require different instructions.

Ask the seller or manufacturer to identify the correct manuals for the actual configuration. Do not use a document for a similar-looking unit as authority to connect, repair or operate the offered equipment. A qualified integrator should assess the intended installation and any attachments.

Separate inventory, inspection and acceptance

An inventory says what the seller offers. An inspection report describes what was checked under stated conditions. A transaction acceptance record captures the parties’ agreed outcome. Keep those documents separate and identify who prepared each one, when and for which unit.

If a seller provides a screenshot, note which component produced it and whether it is current. A screenshot of one screen does not demonstrate the condition of the entire installation. Agree on any inspection scope and evidence with the seller and qualified service personnel before drawing a conclusion. Record which components were present for the inspection and which could not be checked.

If a component is held by another party or shipped separately, include that fact in the transaction record and arrange a suitable handover process.

Record unresolved questions without guessing

Before purchase, list missing labels, unclear version information, documents that have not been provided and any supplier response still pending. Identify a responsible contact and the evidence needed to close each item. Keep the seller’s original response available for later review. Do not turn an absent answer into an assumption that the equipment is complete.

The site’s article on factory reset and used-robot handover covers a separate data-handling issue. The industry information section provides additional background. This checklist does not certify compatibility, safety or the condition of an individual used robot.