ABB IRB 6700 Reduction Gear Modules: IRB67003HAC043073-003 / 3HAC060576-002 / IRB67003HAC060576-002

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

ABB IRB 6700 Series: Comprehensive Reduction Gear Range and Technical Overview

The ABB IRB 6700 series is one of the most widely deployed heavy-duty industrial robot platforms in global process industries, including petrochemical refineries, nuclear facility maintenance operations, automotive body-in-white assembly, and steel mill material handling. With payload capacities ranging from 150 kg to 300 kg and reach variants from 2.6 m to 3.2 m, the IRB 6700 family represents ABB Robotics' flagship sixth-generation large robot architecture. The reduction gear units within this series — including IRB67003HAC043073-003, 3HAC060576-002, and IRB67003HAC060576-002 — are precision-engineered gearbox assemblies responsible for joint torque transmission at axes 1 through 6. These components are subject to scheduled replacement intervals in high-cycle environments and represent one of the most frequently sourced spare parts categories for IRB 6700 fleet operators worldwide.

The Evolution of IRB 6700 Reduction Gear Architecture

The IRB 6700 platform was introduced in 2013 as a direct successor to the IRB 6640 and IRB 6650 series, incorporating a redesigned mechanical structure with fewer components, longer service intervals (up to 8 years or 40,000 hours), and improved energy efficiency. The reduction gear architecture shifted from the IRB 6640's legacy harmonic drive configurations to a refined cycloidal and planetary hybrid design optimized for high-torque, low-backlash performance across all six axes.

Early production units (pre-2016) used first-revision gearbox assemblies identified by the 3HAC043073-003 base part number family. From 2016 onward, ABB released updated gear assemblies under the 3HAC060576-002 revision, incorporating improved sealing compounds and revised bearing preload specifications to address field reports of premature wear in high-ambient-temperature installations. The IRB67003HAC060576-002 designation is the integrated assembly reference combining the robot variant prefix with the updated gear part number, used in ABB's spare parts management system (SPARCS) for direct cross-referencing.

Operators running mixed fleets of pre-2016 and post-2016 IRB 6700 units must verify axis position and robot variant (IRB 6700-150/3.2, 200/2.6, 235/2.65, 245/3.0, 300/2.7) before ordering, as gear geometry and mounting interfaces differ between axis positions and payload variants.

IRB 6700 Full Catalog & Functionalities — Reduction Gear SKU Reference List

Axis 1 Gearbox Units

• IRB67003HAC043073-003: Axis 1 reduction gear assembly, first-revision, IRB 6700 all variants, pre-2016 production
• 3HAC060576-002: Axis 1 reduction gear assembly, second-revision, updated sealing and bearing spec, 2016–present
• IRB67003HAC060576-002: Integrated assembly reference, Axis 1, IRB 6700 series, SPARCS cross-reference designation
• 3HAC043073-001: Axis 1 gear unit, IRB 6700-150/3.2 variant-specific, early production
• 3HAC043073-002: Axis 1 gear unit, IRB 6700-200/2.6 and 235/2.65 variants

Axis 2 Gearbox Units

• 3HAC044512-001: Axis 2 reduction gear, IRB 6700-150 and 200 payload variants
• 3HAC044512-002: Axis 2 reduction gear, IRB 6700-245 and 300 heavy payload variants
• 3HAC060577-001: Axis 2 gear assembly, revised specification, all IRB 6700 variants post-2016

Axis 3 Gearbox Units

• 3HAC044513-001: Axis 3 reduction gear, standard configuration, IRB 6700 series
• 3HAC060578-001: Axis 3 gear assembly, updated revision, improved oil retention design

Axis 4 / Wrist Gearbox Units

• 3HAC044514-001: Axis 4 wrist gearbox, IRB 6700 all variants
• 3HAC060579-001: Axis 4 wrist gear, revised bearing assembly, post-2016

Axis 5 Gearbox Units

• 3HAC044515-001: Axis 5 reduction gear unit, IRB 6700 standard wrist
• 3HAC060580-001: Axis 5 gear, updated revision, compatible with Foundry Plus 2 configuration

Axis 6 Gearbox Units

• 3HAC044516-001: Axis 6 output gear, IRB 6700 standard and Foundry variants
• 3HAC060581-001: Axis 6 gear assembly, revised output flange tolerance specification

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete IRB 6700 Reduction Gear Parts

The IRB 6700 series entered its mature lifecycle phase in the early 2020s. While ABB continues to manufacture current-revision assemblies, first-revision gearbox units (3HAC043073-xxx family) have transitioned to limited-availability status through official ABB distribution channels. Lead times for these components through standard OEM channels can extend to 16–24 weeks, creating critical maintenance windows for production facilities operating on tight turnaround schedules.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of both current-revision and legacy IRB 6700 reduction gear assemblies sourced through verified industrial surplus and authorized secondary market channels. All units are stored in climate-controlled conditions and catalogued by part number, revision level, and axis position. For operators requiring immediate replacement to minimize robot downtime, DriveKNMS provides expedited sourcing with typical response times of 24–72 hours for in-stock items.

Cross-referencing between ABB SPARCS part numbers, robot variant designations, and axis positions is handled by DriveKNMS technical staff to eliminate ordering errors — a common issue when procurement teams source gearbox assemblies without axis-specific verification.

Quality Control for the IRB 6700 Reduction Gear Range

Reduction gear assemblies for the IRB 6700 series undergo a structured inspection protocol at DriveKNMS prior to dispatch. Each unit is subject to: visual inspection of housing integrity and mounting flange surfaces; oil seal condition verification and replacement where required; input/output shaft rotational resistance measurement against ABB-specified torque ranges; backlash measurement at the output flange using calibrated dial indicators; and documentation of revision level and production date codes against known field service bulletin applicability.

Units identified as having been previously installed are tested under no-load rotation to detect bearing noise signatures inconsistent with serviceable condition. Any assembly that does not meet ABB's published acceptance criteria for backlash and rotational resistance is quarantined and not offered for sale. Test records are retained and available upon request for quality-audited procurement processes.

For sourcing inquiries, technical cross-referencing, or bulk spare parts requirements for the ABB IRB 6700 reduction gear series: