How engineers plan robot cells: project stages, welding, machine tending and palletizing rules, robot payload, vacuum gripper, takt time and safety
Frequently asked questions
How much payload margin should an industrial robot have?
Add the part, gripper, fingers and cables, then allow about 25% extra for acceleration and wear. Also check the wrist moment (weight × offset from the flange) and inertia limits.
How is takt time calculated?
Takt time = net available production time ÷ parts required. For example 2 shifts of 7 net hours for 600 parts gives 84 seconds per part. Robots needed = robot cycle ÷ takt, rounded up.
How far must a light curtain be from a robot?
ISO 13855 gives S = K × T + C: K = 2000 mm/s (1600 mm/s if S exceeds 500 mm), T = robot stopping time plus curtain response time, C = 8 × (resolution − 14 mm).
What camera resolution does robot vision need?
Plan about 3–4 pixels across the smallest feature or defect: pixels across = field of view ÷ smallest feature × 4.
Why use a dual gripper for CNC machine tending?
A dual gripper removes the finished part and loads the next blank in one visit, so the machine door is open for less time; published cases show cycle times cut by around 40%.
Can a SCARA or palletizing robot carry a welding torch?
No. Torches, spindles and screwdrivers must be angled to the work, which needs a 6-axis wrist; SCARA, delta and 4-axis palletizing robots keep the tool pointing down.