Used Industrial Automation Technology

Used automation equipment: robots, conveyors, PLC systems and handling

Automation covers the movement and control of production: articulated and SCARA robots, gantries and linear axes, belt and roller conveyors, palletizers and depalletizers, sorting and buffering systems, feeders and vibratory bowls, PLC cabinets with drives and HMIs, safety fencing with light curtains and scanners, vision inspection stations and labelling or marking units. Used systems come from plants that retool for new products, logistics sites that upgrade throughput, and integrators selling demonstration or overstock cells — often with grippers, programs and documentation that cut integration time dramatically.

Start from the cycle, the payload and the interface. A robot cell that palletized 10 kg cartons cannot be judged by reach alone: check payload at the actual centre of gravity, repeatability, the controller generation and whether the teach pendant, licences and source programs transfer. For conveyors, measure belt width, load per metre, drive power and the height adjustment range. For PLC cabinets, list every module, drive and network node: a cabinet is only reusable if its components are still supported and its program is available with comments.

Buying guide: what makes used automation reusable

Software and support decide more than steel. Confirm the robot programs, PLC sources, HMI projects and drive parameters are included and readable — password-locked controllers without credentials are a project risk. Check robot joint backlash, gearbox noise and brake function; run each axis through its full range and review the alarm and collision history. On conveyors, inspect belts, rollers, bearings, photoeyes and the condition of the frames after years of washdown or dust. Safety equipment must be complete and functional: scanners, curtains, interlocked gates and the safety PLC program with its validation report.

Integration, interfaces and floor space

Map the interfaces before purchase: electrical supply, compressed air consumption, network protocols to your MES or ERP, and the mechanical connection to upstream and downstream machines. Measure the cell footprint including fence clearances, maintenance doors and pallet positions — a cell that fit the seller may not fit your hall. Ask for the original layout drawings, risk assessment and operating manual: they are required for compliant recommissioning and they save engineering hours.

Recommissioning and ramp-up

Budget for a controls engineer who knows the installed brands to recommission the system, restore backups, re-tune servo axes and revalidate safety functions with documented tests. Plan new cabling and cable chains where the old routing does not fit, fresh safety signage, and a trial production period with your products and operators trained on the actual cell. Keep the previous integrator relationship if possible: the fastest support comes from whoever built or serviced the system.

Frequently asked questions

How do I verify a used robot without a test cell?

Ask for video of programmed motions at working speed and payload, the alarm and collision log, backlash measurements and the service history of gearboxes and batteries. Confirm the controller boots cleanly, all axes calibrate, and the programs and parameters are provided with licences.

What matters on second-hand conveyor lines?

Belt and chain condition, drive and gearbox noise, sensor and photoeye function, the state of supports after years of load, and whether spare belts, rollers and motors are included. Test emergency stops on every section and check the documentation of the control program.

Can I reuse a PLC cabinet from another plant?

Yes, if every module and drive is still supported, the source programs with comments are included, and the cabinet wiring matches the diagrams. Price new safety validation, network reconfiguration and any obsolete modules before committing.

What paperwork should an automation cell include?

Layout and electrical drawings, risk assessment, operating and maintenance manuals, program backups with licences, the safety validation report and the declaration of conformity. For machines placed on the EU market after 1995, the safety system documentation affects insurance and inspection.