Choose a first cobot task with a cycle-time worksheet

What you need

Use a stopwatch, a task video, a spreadsheet and representative parts. Observe the manual process without changing its safeguards.

The calculation

t_cycle = t_pick + t_move + t_place + t_check + t_wait
Q_ideal = 3600 / t_cycle

All times are seconds per part. Q_ideal is parts per hour before downtime, rejects and replenishment.

Worked example

Try it step by step

1. Record at least 20 consecutive cycles and mark where each step starts and ends; retain outliers instead of deleting them.
2. Separate time that overlaps, such as camera processing during travel, from steps that must run sequentially.
3. Create a conservative robot estimate using actual approach distances and gripper timing, not just an advertised cycle time.
4. Draw replenishment and rejected-part handling into the sequence before deciding whether the task is a useful pilot.

How to check the result

Compare the model with a simulated sequence, then time a supervised pilot. Report median, slow cycles and good parts produced, not only the fastest cycle.

Common mistake to avoid

This sum assumes sequential steps. Summing overlapping durations exaggerates the cycle; ignoring operator replenishment understates it.

Reference reading

Primary references for the underlying models, APIs or application context. The worked numbers and plots above are educational calculations, not results reported by these sources.

• Modern Robotics — trajectory generation
• Universal Robots — application risk assessment

Read our methods, limitations and safety notes.