Robotics & Automation worked example

Robot Arm Speed at 98% expected cell efficiency: a worked example

Push expected cell efficiency up to 98% and the picture changes. This example computes every intermediate figure at that operating point. Use it before tuning robot speed override or quoting a faster takt so the required TCP speed stays inside what the robot, dress pack, and EOAT can hold.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Target output rate: 400 parts / hr (unchanged)
  • Transfer distance per cycle (pick-to-place): 1,800 mm (unchanged)
  • Expected cell efficiency: 98 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 85)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Required cycle rate = target output / expected cell efficiency) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 204 mm / sec for required tcp speed, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 408 cycles / hr for required cycle rate.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,800 mm for transfer distance per cycle.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where expected cell efficiency sits at 85% and the headline result is 235 mm / sec, this scenario comes in 13.27% below the baseline at 204 mm / sec.
  • It computes the required cycle rate by dividing target output by efficiency, then multiplies by transfer distance to get the required TCP speed. The value of this scenario is the size of the gap it exposes: that gap, priced out over a year, is the budget you can justify spending to close it.

Results at a glance

  • Required TCP speed: 204 mm / sec (headline result)
  • Required cycle rate: 408 cycles / hr
  • Transfer distance per cycle: 1,800 mm

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Robot Arm Speed calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.