Cycle Time & Format Estimator
Enter your throughput target, part weight, and OEE buffer. The tool calculates the cycle time your robot must achieve and tells you which format — delta, SCARA, cobot, or articulated — can meet it.
Your production requirements
picks, placements, welds, screws, etc.
for annual output calculation
used to filter formats by payload limit (e.g. delta max ≈ 8 kg, most cobots ≤ 35 kg)
OEE — efficiency buffer
how much productive time vs. theoretical maximum. 85% is industry average for a new cell.
Required cycle time
—
Picks per minute
—
at target OEE
Units per year
—
Format speed range vs your requirement
Bar = format maximum ppm. Needle ▼ = your required ppm. Needle outside bar = format cannot meet target.
Format suitability
Important: this is a format filter, not a simulation
Cycle time depends on path length, payload, acceleration profile, and motion type — not just maximum TCP speed. These estimates use published maximum TCP speeds as a proxy for format capability. Validate against a realistic simulated path before selecting a model.
Speed data: FANUC M-3iA (10,000 mm/s TCP), Epson G20 (11,000 mm/s TCP); ISO/TS 15066 for cobot limits. Manufacturer datasheets.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate required robot cycle time? +
Divide 3,600 by operations per hour to get the theoretical cycle time. Then divide by your OEE factor. At 600 ops/hr and 85% OEE: 3,600 ÷ 600 × 0.85 = 5.1 s. The robot must complete each cycle in 5.1 s, not the 6-second theoretical.
What is OEE and why does it matter? +
OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) accounts for stoppages, speed losses, and quality losses. A robot at 85% OEE produces 85 units for every 100 theoretically possible. Spec without an OEE buffer and any stoppage breaks the production target.
Which robot format is fastest? +
SCARA leads at up to 11,000 mm/s TCP speed (Epson G20). Delta follows at 10,000 mm/s (FANUC M-3iA). Cobots under ISO 15066 shared-space limits are capped well below these figures — typically 20 to 40 picks per minute.
Can a cobot meet my throughput target? +
At above 50 operations per minute, probably not in shared-space mode. ISO/TS 15066 PFL speed limits typically cap cobots at 20 to 40 picks per minute. Above 50 ppm, a SCARA or delta is almost always the correct format.
Does the estimator account for path length or robot arm size? +
No — the estimator uses published maximum TCP speed for each format as a proxy. Actual cycle time depends on path length, acceleration profile, and payload. Use this as a format filter; validate with a simulation once you have a shortlist.