Cycle Time Calculations

The best way to calculate a cycle time is to work with your preferred robot supplier to simulate the transfer or process. Establish dimensions and layout the application with accurate locations. Clamp delays or Process times can be built into the program.

As a rough guide, cycle time for a component transfer by a six axis revolute robot will be around 6 seconds.

That said, a cycle time can be just about whatever you need to make it. The volumes will determine how many parts need to be handled during each transfer and the size and weight of the parts will determine the size of robot and the equipment that it works with.

If volumes are sufficiently high, then a dedicated solution may be the only answer.

Auto insertion machines for electronic parts can achieve up to 5 insertions/second. Bandolier fed insertion machines run at 1 insertion/ second.

A high speed Scara robot can transfer a part in 2 seconds. This typically would be a goal post type transfer as follows:

move to pick up
Drive Down
Delay
Clamp
Drive Up
Move to put down
Drive Down
Delay
Unclamp
Drive Up

At the other end of the scale an investment casting robot will pick up a wax, dip it and sand it, and return it to the drying system in around 4 minutes.

Process robots like welding, water jet, laser etc. will of course be controlled by the process variables. Speed is not always a significant factor. Accurate trajectory control will be a pre-requisite for this type of application.